How to avoid botched cosmetic surgery

The cosmetic world can be a scary place if you do not do your research.
 
Over the years, celebrities have revealed the realities of botched treatments as a warning for people to really understand what they are signing up for.

Anti-ageing treatments have soared in popularity over the last decade, paving the way for unregistered clinicians to hit the high street with cheap and dangerous offers.

Businesswoman and reality TV star Chloe Khan is just one celebrity to experience cosmetic troubles this year. 

She underwent her second rhinoplasty procedure earlier this year – but the nose job left her struggling to breathe, reports the Mirror.

The 26-year-old admitted she had found her surgeon on Instagram.

There are plenty of dos and don’ts when it comes to cosmetic surgery – with thorough research being the most important element.

A solid and trusting relationship between the patient and the clinician is also key. 

Fulvio Urso-Baiarda, a consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon, agrees that a healthy patient-clinician relationship is imperative.

He says: ‘Everything has to be right: you need to be comfortable with each other, you need to ‘click’ and, obviously, the surgeon needs to be able to do the surgery. 

‘I don’t think gender needs to come into it, and I rarely find that being a man inhibits women from speaking to me about their body. Irrespective of gender, surgeons must be sensitive to the vulnerability that any of us would feel being half dressed and displaying their "worst" bit. I try to leave the patient undressed for as short a time as possible, to undress one part at a time if they want to discuss multiple issues.'

And a surgeon who did work on a friend or family member may not be the ideal option for you – despite the glowing reviews. 

‘It depends on whether your procedure is similar enough, whether they understand your wishes well and whether you form a good rapport,’ Fulvio says. ‘Your friend could have very different expectations of what makes a good outcome.’

It is also important to be clear on what happens if you are unhappy with the results. 

He adds: ‘The protocol here varies greatly, so make sure this is understood upfront. Some surgeons may offer free revision until you are satisfied, whereas others charge even for the treatment of a complication. Neither of those extremes is right or wrong, so long as you know up front what you are agreeing to. It might be a good idea is to take out a surgical revision insurance policy, as long as you are happy with what is covered and what is not.’