Thousands Risk Health Over Cosmetic Surgery
Thousands of people are putting themselves at serious risk by "recklessly" rushing into having plastic surgery procedures.
The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has launched a new campaign, Think Over Before You Make Over, urging people to think carefully before going under the knife.
Their research suggests nearly a quarter of all people having cosmetic surgery in the UK do not check their surgeon's credentials and over a fifth are not aware of the risks associated with their chosen procedure.
BAPRAS President and Consultant Plastic Surgeon Nigel Mercer told Sky News: "You would check your electrician's credentials. You would check your plumber's credentials. Why on Earth wouldn't you check your surgeon's credentials?
"Deals have an enormous impact on this market. We've seen Groupon deals for cosmetic surgery and it's mind-boggling when you think about that.
"You wouldn't go for cut price brain surgery or cut price gall bladder surgery - you would want the best that you can get.
"Cosmetic surgery is not something to be taken lightly and yet thousands of people are putting themselves at serious risk by rushing in to major procedures recklessly, without consideration for their own safety."
According to BAPRAS, those who rush into surgery usually regret it. 59% of patients who have an op less than two weeks after their first consultation find they are less confident in their appearance afterwards.
Anyone considering cosmetic surgery is advised to ensure a surgeon is properly qualified and has substantial experience, as well as checking that they are on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register for the discipline in which they have trained.
Suzie Adams, 40, from Bridgwater in Somerset had her life destroyed by cosmetic surgery.
After three caesareans, she flew to Prague for what she calls "a tidy-up and a tummy tuck".
She thought she was getting a good deal but she was left disfigured and developed septicaemia from her infected wound.
She then had to endure months of follow-up treatment, forcing her out of her job.
"The long term effect it had on me? It devastated me," she said.
"I hated my body - it was worse than when I started. I didn't like anybody seeing me, even my children or my partner. I felt like a freak.
"I forced myself to look in the mirror every day to remind myself of the mistake I made because I shouldn't have gone abroad. I should have stayed in this country.
"My advice to other people is - if you can afford to have it done in the UK, have it done in the UK because the after care is never there. They like to take your money and then that's it.
"I risked my life going over there and if could turn the clocks back I wouldn't have done it."
On the issue of people seeking cheaper surgery abroad, Mr Mercer added: "British people think if they go to Thailand the hospital will be the same as the hospital here.
"In fact, if you go to Belgium there are no regulations about what should be in an operating room, including oxygen and defibrillators. There are no regulations. So people need to be very careful."
