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Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is incredibly popular these days with media images emphasizing the potentially perfect you. Today’s society feels that to improve their physical appearance will transform the way they feel about themselves and their self esteem. Looking slim and young can be seen as synonymous with achieving ambition and remaining competitive.

Cosmetic surgery is within the financial reach of a larger proportion of the population now, and there are more and more people keen to save for the nip and tuck, whether done here or abroad.

History:

Cosmetic SurgeryPlastic surgery began hundreds of years ago where you step back in time to the eighth century BC where an Indian Surgeon was using skin grafts for reconstructive works. The Romans too were adept at repairing and reconstructive work, after which there seems to have been a stagnation of surgical development until the 19th and 20th century where the World Wars had a huge impact on surgery. During and after World War Two leading plastic surgeons made tremendous advances in surgery leading to the   formation of the Guinea Pig Club; where experimental treatments were carried out on RAF air crew who had suffered horrific burns injuries. 

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What is cosmetic surgery?


Cosmetic surgery is chosen by the individual to enhance or reshape through surgical or medical intervention to aesthetically improve physical appearance.

What is plastic surgery?


Plastic surgery is reconstructive to correct physical disfigurements due to birth, accidents or disease, with the aim of improving normality. 

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What's Involved?


Careful consideration needs to be taken when you are thinking about cosmetic surgery. Almost everyone is self conscious about one two or more aspects of their bodies, male and female. Some times we choose to live with our differences and sometimes we choose to change them. There are many ways to achieve this change but you need to ask yourself questions as to why you want to change.

  • Are you doing this for yourself or to please others?
  • Could you achieve your aims by changing your diet?
  • Do you need to take more exercise to achieve your aim?
  • Will you be happy with the results?

If you have chosen surgery what is the next step?

  • Talk to your friends who have had cosmetic surgery themselves- If they look good then the likelihood is that they had a good cosmetic surgeon. Would they recommend their surgeon?
  • Ask around if anyone has had the type of surgery you are interested in? If one surgeon specializes in breast augmentation they may not be the best to choose for your face lift.
  • Ask for referrals from your GP
  • You would get three quotes for your new bathroom – it is the same for cosmetic surgery you will need to consult more than one.
  • Ask your surgeon about their credentials- Any reputable cosmetic surgeon will welcome your questions and want you to be completely comfortable with his or her qualifications.
  • Check if the doctor you have chosen is registered
    http://www.gmc-uk.org/register/index.asp - General Medical Councils register
    • Have they specific trained experience in Cosmetic surgery
    • How many years experience do they have doing your specific type of surgery
    • How often do they do the operation you want done?
    • Ask if they have before and after photographs which you are able to see?

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Warning signs:

  • If they do not welcome your questions or avoid answering them
  • If they do not spend at least 45minutes with you for your initial consultation and discussions
  • If a surgeon presses you to make an on the spot decision
  • If the surgeon offers a price reduction if you sign up immediately
  • If you are offered multiple operations all at the same to save on costs

In the media we hear horror stories of botched operations and people who have lost their life savings and been left scarred both emotionally and physically by surgeons who have continued to operate on unsuspecting patents even if they are being investigated.

At present if a doctor is being investigated the GMC - General Medical Council are not at liberty to tell you. However cosmetic surgery is about to be regulated in this country- In April 2007 the Department of Health is insisting on a record of all cosmetic surgeons and to make their track records available to patients but in the mean time the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit.- have a list of registered surgeon you can access.

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