A new online checklist has been devised by The Royal College of Surgeons for patients wanting to undergo cosmetic surgery. The check list offers help with choosing the right clinic or hospital and also gives practical advice on recognising, and avoiding, rogue traders with supposed deals that really are too good to be true. The resource also advises people looking to get a procedure done not to rush into it or feel pressured to give consent, and gives a list of questions to ask to ensure patients are getting the right information.
The resource has been created on the back of the 2012 breast implant scandal that saw thousands of women suffer after being given silicone implants that were dangerously prone to leaking and splitting. Currently, the news headlines are awash with tales of botched procedures and surgeries gone wrong, so the arrival of the new resource is a step in the right direction for the industry.
Vice president of The Royal College of Surgeons, Stephen Cannon, has advised the public to ensure they do thorough research before even thinking about getting a procedure. Mr Cannon was quoted in the BBC News, giving advice to people thinking about cosmetic surgery, “Our advice is that if you are thinking of having some kind of work done, make sure you consult a surgeon who is trained and experienced in the procedure you are considering… look them up on the General Medical Council’s register.” Shockingly, any doctor or surgeon can offer cosmetic surgery without having to go through any additional training, so it is important to do the research first.