Cosmetic surgery – knowing your rights if things go wrong

Posted: 29/03/2017

The cosmetic surgery industry makes billions of pounds every year. However, its sales practices in some areas have been questioned and if you decide to undergo a procedure, you will not be covered under consumer rules and regulations should something go wrong.

If you are in the position where you are considering cosmetic surgery, you should first check to see if your surgeon is registered with BAAPS (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons). Our advice is that you should not undergo the procedure if he or she is not registered and should instead look to find a BAAPS accredited surgeon.

While BAAPS accreditation does not guarantee a safe or issue free procedure, as all cosmetic surgery treatment has associated risks, BAAPS members adhere to industry practices and regulations and will have their own complaints procedure. Should you find yourself in a position where you need to file a complaint, you should ask your surgeon or the practice where you received the treatment for a copy of their complaints procedure.

Listed below are some points to consider before agreeing to the treatment:

• Ask to meet your surgeon to discuss the process before making any decisions.
• Check for past patients’ testimonials and before and after photos to ensure your surgeon has the correct experience and a good reputation.
• Be wary of any keenness to ‘sell’ procedures to you. A good surgeon’s staff should tell you about recovery times, risks and other key facts to consider. They should take the time to find out why you want surgery and assess your medical history or any current medication you are taking.
• Be mindful of ‘limited time offers’. You should always avoid being pressured into having surgery. If you receive this sales approach, we recommend you consider undertaking the procedure with an alternative surgeon or practice.

If you feel the treatment you have received has fallen below the standard required and that negligence has occurred, one of the first steps that can assist a potential clinical negligence claim is filing a complaint with the relevant surgeon or practice. As we have highlighted, patients can complain about regulated plastic surgeons to BAAPS. Advice should also be sought from an accredited clinical negligence solicitor who can help you with your claim and provide guidance on how likely it is to be successful.

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