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On 23 December 2005, the Government launched a website to give prospective patients information on cosmetic surgery and treatments. This site offers detailed, accredited advice and reliable information on expectations and outcomes. Highgate Hospital recommends that you check this site if you are considering cosmetic surgery. Click here

Aspen Healthcare, owners of Highgate Hospital is also a member of the Independent Healthcare Forum, a body representing independent healthcare providers such as private hospitals formed to help promote good medical practice. The Forum's working group on cosmetic surgery has authored the following advice for people thinking about cosmetic surgery in order to help them make an informed and educated decision.

Advice for people considering cosmetic surgery
More and more people are opting to have cosmetic surgery. Choosing the right surgeon and clinic can be difficult unless choice is informed by balanced advice. The Cosmetic Surgery Interspeciality Committee - made up of experts representing the different types of doctors who perform cosmetic treatments - offers the following suggestions:

Research the procedure
Read as much as you can about the procedure or treatment you are interested in having. This will help make sure it is right for you and that you are aware of any pros and cons of treatment. For example:

• The Department of Health has produced a booklet for women considering having breast implants. http://www.doh.gov.uk/
• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) provides information on a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures. http://www.baaps.org.uk/. Advice line 020 7405 2234.
• The British Association of Otolarygologists/Head and Neck Surgeons provides information on cosmetic surgery performed by Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons. Call 020 7404 8373 or email sharon@bao-nhs.demon.co.uk or visit http://www.entuk.org/.
• The Bristish Association of Dermatologists provides information on minimally invase cosmetic procedures performed by Dermatologists. Call 020 7383 0266. http://www.bad.org.uk/
• Advice on cosmetic surgery (eyelid and periocular) can be obtained from the Bristish Oculoplastic Surgery Society. Email info@bopss.org

Choosing the right doctor
Get a referral from your GP - they can make sure that, with your permission, any important information about your medical history is passed to the cosmetic surgeon. It also means that your GP can provide the right care for you if you have any problems or need advice after the procedure. If you do not wish to involve your GP, make sure you choose a surgeon who has been recommended to you, or by obtaining as much information as possible.

You should be offered an initial consultation with the doctor who will perform the operation/procedure. Do not be afraid to consult the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in. You may want to ask how many times they have performed the procedure and how often complications occur. Feel free to take someone with you, together with a note of any questions you'd like to ask during the consultation.

Other sources of help

• The Royal College of Surgeons of England has a leaflet that suggests questions patients having any operation may wish to ask. For a copy see http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/ or call 020 7869 6045.
• Find out whether a cosmetic surgeon is on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register by calling 020 7915 3630 or visit http://www.gmc-uk.org/. All doctors setting up as cosmetic surgeons for the first time from April 2002 must be on this register. Some cosmetic surgeons practising before this date may not be on the specialist register but they will be required to keep their practise up to date.
• The Independent Healthcare Forum has produced a guide on the standards that cosmetic surgeons should meet. For a copy call 020 7379 8598.

Find out about the clinic or the hospital
The best way to choose a clinic or hospital is through your GP. If this is not an option, make an appointment at a few clinics so that you can compare prices and the services offered.