When Cosmetic Surgery Goes Wrong

Cosmetic surgery is something that’s becoming more and more popular, and with so many clinics now offering a huge variety of procedures, it can be hard to know what to do, and who to choose to do the work you want.

Finding a Reputable Cosmetic Surgery Clinic

The first thing to check before you entrust your cosmetic surgery to anyone is that they are reputable. Of course there are never any guarantees but you could check that they are registered with the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) before going ahead with anything. The BAAPS was established for the advancement of education and safety in cosmetic surgery, and maintains lists of members that are also are on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgeons that’s maintained by the General Medical Council.

You can check to find out whether any cosmetic surgeon is on the Specialist Register by telephoning the General Medical Council Registry on 0845 357 3456.

Things to Remember about Cosmetic Surgery

Even with the best and most qualified cosmetic surgeon, things can sometimes go wrong, and even if the surgeon has done their job exactly as they should have, you might still be unhappy with the results.

When you are thinking about and researching cosmetic surgery, you need to make sure that you have realistic expectations about what the procedure can and will do for you. Talk this through with the surgeon before agreeing to any treatment – they will be experienced enough to advise you if they think you might be expecting too much from your chosen procedure – or that it might not be suitable for you.

If You have to Complain

If you have had cosmetic surgery and you are not happy with the results, or you think that the procedure was not carried out properly, you should take the matter up with your surgeon, through the hospital, or clinic, that referred you.

The surgeon, or hospital staff, may be able to deal effectively with your concerns, particularly if the healing process is not complete, or your body still needs time to settle down. If, after the healing process is complete, you are still not happy with the results of your surgery, the hospital, or clinic, may offer you further surgery to put things right.

Complaining to the Healthcare Commission

The first thing you need to do if you feel that you have a genuine complaint about your cosmetic surgery procedure is to complain to the clinic or practice where the procedure was carried out. Most reputable clinics have a complaints procedure – ask what this is and make sure that you’re fair, and realistic.

Give the clinic or surgeon a reasonable amount of time to respond to your complaint. If you don’t think they have dealt with your concerns properly, it’s then up to you if you want take the matter further.

All hospitals and clinics that offer cosmetic surgery have to be registered with the Healthcare Commission, who are able to take action against a clinic, hospital or surgeon if it believes that certain prescribed standards have not been met.

If you have a complaint against a cosmetic surgeon that you would like investigated, you can write to:The Healthcare Commission
Finsbury Tower
103-105 Bunhill Row
London
EC1Y 8TG
Telephone: 0845 6013012

Negligence and Personal Injury

If your complaint involves negligence on the part of the surgeon that’s led to personal injury, you might also like to contact one of the many personal injury compensation claim solicitors who often offer a ‘no win no fee’ service to take up your case. Be sure that you use a reputable and well established firm though.