Thursday 17 June 2010
Fillers
One of the most prominent problems in the cosmetic surgery world at the moment is the issue of fillers- both derma, and botox. These injections are ever more readily available in the UK and I spoke recently to Andrew Vallance-Owen, the Global Director of the BUPA Medical Group, and chairman of a website which is going live in July. The website is an interactive sign-up sheet and list of trustworthy cosmetic injection providers, and will provide them with a quality assurance mark which means that you can choose a treatment you can trust (as the website is called). One thing I put to Andrew was whether or not there is a problem with the actual products that are beign injected. These are, of course, regulated by the MHRA, and while Andrew didn't believe that unregulated products are being used in the UK, it is in fact problematic abroad. I intend to find out more...
Sunday 6 June 2010
Cosmetic surgery holidays
I'm in the process of finishing my MA in Multi-Media Journalism at Bournemouth University, and our end project consists of our own news-based website centred around an issue we chose. I chose to investigate the growing trend of so-called cosmetic surgery holidays- companies abroad who offer a consultation on the day you arrive, the procedure the same day, and accommodation in the sun for a week for half the price you would pay in the UK.
As you can probably imagine,I have encountered various problems in trying to achieve balance. However, soon into my research and calling around, I realised a very vital answer to one of the biggest questions I wanted to tackle. The question was: Is having cosmetic surgery abroad any more of a risk than having it in the UK? Obviously, UK surgeons are all saying yes, because they're members of credible organisations such as BAAPS and BAPRAS and ISAPS and to be honest, they all have a string of qualifications and experience as long as my arm, and I would definitely go to an English surgeon were I ever to consider having cosmetic surgery (which I am not, for the record...). However, as the surgeons themselves admitted (grudgingly) there are good and bad surgeons abroad, and there are good and bad surgeons in the UK, no more no less. I got increasingly frustrated until I came across a very very well qualified surgeon called Douglas McGeorge, who was the former president of BAAPS and whom I was working with at Channel 4 on a programme about botched plastic surgery. He told me quite simply, that unless you are living in the country in which you go to for surgery, how are you going to be cared for after the operation? One of the most important things you should consider when you sign up for an operation, because they are surgical procedures, is the aftercare you will receive. Most surgeons will check on you ten days after (depending on the procedure), then a month, then six months, and you would be expected to get in contact were anything to go wrong- and mark my words, it can go wrong! So ultimately, I have my conclusion: if you live in the UK, then do not go abroad for surgery. Indeed, if you live in Belgium, or Turkey, or Marbella, or anywhere else that they're offering cosmetic surgery holidays- do not go abroad to have surgery: what are you going to do when it goes wrong? Fly back there a few times? More likely you will end up going to a surgeon in your part of the world, and pay more than you would have had to if you'd stayed in England in the first place.
As you can probably imagine,I have encountered various problems in trying to achieve balance. However, soon into my research and calling around, I realised a very vital answer to one of the biggest questions I wanted to tackle. The question was: Is having cosmetic surgery abroad any more of a risk than having it in the UK? Obviously, UK surgeons are all saying yes, because they're members of credible organisations such as BAAPS and BAPRAS and ISAPS and to be honest, they all have a string of qualifications and experience as long as my arm, and I would definitely go to an English surgeon were I ever to consider having cosmetic surgery (which I am not, for the record...). However, as the surgeons themselves admitted (grudgingly) there are good and bad surgeons abroad, and there are good and bad surgeons in the UK, no more no less. I got increasingly frustrated until I came across a very very well qualified surgeon called Douglas McGeorge, who was the former president of BAAPS and whom I was working with at Channel 4 on a programme about botched plastic surgery. He told me quite simply, that unless you are living in the country in which you go to for surgery, how are you going to be cared for after the operation? One of the most important things you should consider when you sign up for an operation, because they are surgical procedures, is the aftercare you will receive. Most surgeons will check on you ten days after (depending on the procedure), then a month, then six months, and you would be expected to get in contact were anything to go wrong- and mark my words, it can go wrong! So ultimately, I have my conclusion: if you live in the UK, then do not go abroad for surgery. Indeed, if you live in Belgium, or Turkey, or Marbella, or anywhere else that they're offering cosmetic surgery holidays- do not go abroad to have surgery: what are you going to do when it goes wrong? Fly back there a few times? More likely you will end up going to a surgeon in your part of the world, and pay more than you would have had to if you'd stayed in England in the first place.
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