Seeking perfection

As liposuction procedures increase by 90%, find out what you can do to protect your health

Liposuction has jumped from being the eighth most popular cosmetic procedure in 2005 to the third most popular in 2006, behind breast and eyelid surgery.

According to today's figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 3,986 liposuctions were carried out last year -  up from 2,099 in 2005.

BAAPS, which is based at the Royal College of Surgeons, said other operations- such as breast surgery and nose jobs - had also seen a rise.

A total of 28,921 plastic surgery procedures were carried out by BAAPS surgeons in 2006 - up around a third on the 22,041 figure for 2005.

But Sally Taber, from Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, said the total number of operations carried out by all UK plastic surgeons could actually be three times higher - at around 90,000.

The organisation represents companies that account for two-thirds of the cosmetic surgery market sector.

The BAAPS figures showed that anti-ageing procedures were also popular, with facelifts up 44% on the previous year, eyelid surgery up 48%, and brow lifts up 50%.

Of the 28,921 procedures carried out, 26,469 (92%) were performed on women, who accounted for 19,601 in the previous year.

A total of 6,156 women had breast surgery, while nose jobs were the most popular procedure among men, with 525 undertaken by BAAPS surgeons.

Men also opted for eyelid surgery (506 procedures), liposuction (494), ears pinned back or altered (397) and face and neck lifts (190).

Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS council member, said:

"it is important to note that liposuction and tummy tucks are not a treatment for weight management or obesity: they are body contouring procedures for patients near or already at their ideal body weight."

The most popular surgery for men and women in 2006, according to BAAPS :

• Breast augmentation - 6,156 (up 9%)
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)  - 5,065 (up 48%)
• Liposuction - 3,986 (up 90%)
• Face/neck lift - 3,281 (up 44%)
• Breast reduction - 3,219 (up 19%)
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) - 2,743 (up 47%)
• Rhinoplasty (nose) - 2,678 (up 18%)
• Otoplasty (ear correction) - 943 (down 20%)
• Brow lifts - 868 (up 50%)

If you are considering having plastic surgery, follow this advice from the Healthcare Commission :

Choose the right doctor

Get a referral from your GP, as appropriate - they can make sure that, with your permission, any important information about your medical history is passed to the cosmetic surgeon. It also means that your GP can provide for you if you have any problems or need advice after the procedure. If you do not wish to involve your GP, make sure you choose a surgeon who has been recommended to you or obtain as much information as possible before you make your choice.

You should be offered an initial consultation with the doctor who will perform the operation/procedure. Do not be afraid to ask the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in. You may want to ask how many times they have performed the operation and how often complications occur. Feel free to take someone with you, together with a note of any questions you'd like to ask during the consultation.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England has a leaflet that suggests questions patients having any operation may want to ask. For a copy call 020 7405 3474, or click on the link below.

Find out whether a plastic surgeon is on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register by calling 020 7189 6602 or see the link below for the General Medical Council.

All doctors setting up as plastic surgeons for the first time from April 2002 must be on this register. Some cosmetic surgeons practicing before that date may not be on the specialist register but they will be required to keep their practice up to date.

Find out about the clinic or hospital

You can choose a clinic or hospital through your GP, if appropriate. If this is not an option, make an appointment at a few clinics, so that you can compare the services offered and prices.

The Healthcare Commission Private and Voluntary Healthcare Directorate holds the register of all private clinics and hospitals that are registered to provide cosmetic surgery in England.

It carries out inspections each year to make sure they comply with national minimum standards, including on the quality of the services that they provide.

The latest inspection report can be obtained from the Hospital or Clinic by requesting it.

The Scottish Executive has produced Standards for Specialist Clinics in Scotland, including those offering cosmetic surgery.

All cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals are required to provide a Patient's Guide detailing the services they offer, the cost, as well as information on making comments, complaints or suggestions. Ask the clinic for a copy of its Patient's Guide.

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Tell the clinic or hospital where you had treatment if you are unhappy with the result. They may offer you further treatment to rectify the problem.

Cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals are required to have a written policy and procedures for handling complaints. Ask to see a copy of this.

If you continue to be unhappy with the way the clinic, doctor or hospital have handled your complaint and if you have explored all ways with the organisation you were treated, you can make a complaint to the Independent Healthcare Forum on 020 7379 8598 or the Healthcare Commission, which can take action against a clinic if it is in breach of the standards it is expected to meet.
 
If your complaint is about the conduct or performance of a doctor, you can complain to the General Medical Council. Call the GMC inquiry line 020 7580 7642 or see the link below The General Medical Council

Cosmetic services abroad

The following information is a guide only and is not an exhaustive list. This has been developed after receiving many enquires about this topic. It seeks to provide a checklist of things you may wish to consider regarding cosmetic surgery or aesthetic procedures abroad:

• It is important before making any decision to have surgery that you understand exactly what is being provided, including any before and after care.
• Research the procedure to make sure you understand the pros and cons and whether it is right for you.
• While abroad, you must be able to communicate with the doctor in order to ask questions and understand the answers. Will you need a translator?
• It is important that you ask the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in. You may want to ask how many times they have performed the operation what the risks of the procedure are and how often complications occur.
• Consider taking someone with you when you meet with the doctor, together with a note of any questions you'd like to ask during the consultation.
• It is important to know where a procedure will be carried out and where you will be cared for in the recovery phase. It is also important to know who will be there to look after you and what are their clinical qualifications
• Check whether the doctor and clinic have insurance which covers your procedure and whether it takes into consideration that you are from another country.
• Ask what will happen if something goes wrong either during or after the procedure. For example, what follow-up care is available should there be complications while you are abroad? How will you get back to England if you need to?
• It is also important to know that not all countries have the same regulatory framework as England so standards may vary considerably.
• Remember that the Healthcare Commission, which is responsible for regulating and checking private cosmetic surgery in England, does not cover procedures carried out abroad. Unfortunately, it will not be able to help you if you have any problems while overseas.

And for the more advice if you are considering plastic surgery, get more information by clicking on the links below :