Plastic not so fantastic

It is a truth universally acknowledged in our modern consumer society that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Now the trade union for Britain's plastic surgeons are saying that bargain overseas surgery is resulting in more 'repair' work for them. Of course, they have their own interests in saying this but it's worth thinking about.

Go for a cheap holiday that turns about to be a mistake — well, you've wasted your two weeks holiday. Go for a cheap 'holiday surgery' package and you could carrying the results around with you for the rest of your life.

Cheap offers of cosmetic surgery abroad has been a growing concern among the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Douglas McGeorge, BAAPS President and Consultant Plastic Surgeon says: 'My experience with patients has shown that counselling is inadequate. The individuals have no idea of the standards of care in the country they are visiting and no knowledge of the abilities or experience of the surgeon. Follow-up is difficult. Complications do occur and are usually left to the British system to treat.'

A BAAPS survey unveiled how many patients surgeons had seen in the last year as a result of problems stemming from 'holiday surgery':

• 44% of surgeons saw 3-5 dissatisfied patients in the last year with poor results and avoidable complications;
• 14% saw 6-8 patients; and
• 14% saw at least 9 or more dissatisfied patients.

Some of the cases seen by BAAPS members included severe wound infections, tissue loss and even a facelift patient who hadn't even had her stitches removed before returning to the UK, where she then had to pay to have it done.

The list of countries mentioned in the survey was topped by Poland, South Africa and Belgium. Other countries mentioned were Hungary, Turkey, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Thailand and Malaysia.

If you or you partner are seriously considering plastic surgery, don't just talk to plastic surgeons, see a professional counsellor or therapist and discuss the issues that have led you to make this choice. Surgery really should be the last resort. If, despite everything, you think surgery is the answer, research it properly. This could be the highest risk decision you'll ever make - the results will live with you even longer than your mortgage.