Red Flags to Look Out for When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
Red flags to be aware of in a potential plastic surgeon
One way to ensure your surgery, especially when it comes to breast enlargement, is choosing the right surgeon for you. Picking one that will not carry the operation out to the highest standard will result in problems further on down the line. But how do you decide a good surgeon from the bad? Here are a few red flags to look out for.
In this guide, we will be talking specifically about choosing a plastic surgeon to carry out a breast enlargement surgery, but the tips can be applied to all manner of plastic surgery procedures.
They’re unclear about their experience or credentials
If, upon meeting your surgeon, they are not able to quantify their experience or give you the exact qualifications they have, be wary. This could mean they are being untruthful about their credentials and be operating illegally.
The price is much lower than other clinics
As you start to investigate different clinics and surgeons, you will start to see a pattern in their pricing. The cost may fluctuate slightly but they will all be in the same region.
If you spot one that is dramatically lower than the rest then this is a sign for you to be cautious - there must be a reason behind their cheap pricing and it is often not positive. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, then it usually is.
Your consultation is with someone who is not your plastic surgeon
While there may be other people present during your meeting, don’t accept a consultation with one of the support staff alone. This is both for logistic reasons, you need to know you and your surgeon are on the same page, but also to build trust.
How do you know that your surgeon will adequately care for you post-operation if they aren’t able to make time for you before the procedure?
Deciding on the perfect surgeon
So you’ve done your research, you’ve found a surgeon who is in the right location, has largely positive reviews and their previous work looks good, what do you do now?
Check their qualifications
Although it is highly unlikely to stumble across a surgeon who is operating illegally in the UK, it is still important that you check the credentials and qualifications of any surgeon you are considering.
To become a surgeon, they need to have undertaken a large amount of training and gained hands-on experience. To be recognised as a plastic surgeon in the UK, you need to complete:
- A degree in medicine
- 2 years of general training
- 2 years of core surgical training (this is completed in a hospital)
- Specialist training (this can be up to 6 years)
Their degree needs to be recognised by the General Medical Council to ensure it meets national standards.
Be ready to ask questions about your breast enlargement
During the initial conversation with any potential surgeon, you need to feel comfortable with asking some important questions. This will not only allow you to get answers to some pressing queries but also get a feel for them as a person.
Make sure to ask questions around your personal preferences for the surgery, as well as some more general ones:
- How long is the recovery process?
- What type of implant will they use, why have they chosen them?
- On average, how long do their breast enlargement surgeries take?
- What aftercare do they offer?
- If there’s a problem post-surgery, how quickly will you be able to see me?
A simple consultation may be enough to answer all of these questions, and more, so it’s definitely worth having a conversation with any surgeon you’re considering before making a decision.
Red flags should be waving if the surgeon is unable to answer these questions, or changes the subject. Any reputable and genuinely experienced surgeon will be able to offer details on all aspects of your surgery.