Whichever way you look at it, deciding to undergo elective cosmetic surgery is a big step. Regardless of how ‘minor’ it may seem, every surgical procedure comes with a degree of risk. The decision to go under the knife should never be taken lightly nor seen as a ‘quick fix’ or ‘easy option’. This said, if you’ve given yourself plenty of time to weigh up the pros and cons of surgery and decided to proceed, it’s crucial to spend time identifying the right surgeon and clinic for your needs.

Once your decision is made, you should ask your surgeon some critical questions before cosmetic surgery to ensure you receive the best possible care. We’ve put together a guide to help you do just this – and to help ensure you are fully informed when choosing your surgeon.

Who will perform my operation?

Whilst it would be easy to assume that the surgeon you first meet at a clinic, will be the surgeon performing your procedure, this isn’t the case in all clinics so never be afraid to ask the question. Coppergate Clinic, along with any other reputable clinic, will ensure that you are seen, consulted, and assessed by the surgeon who will later perform your procedure (should you decide to proceed). It is vital that your treatment journey begins with an honest, thorough consultation with your operating surgeon, who will ask questions to understand your concerns and goals before guiding you on the best course of treatment. Coppergate Clinic surgeons are so passionate about this process that contrary to industry norm, consultations are complimentary and offered with absolutely no obligation. A second consultation is also arranged as standard, once you’ve had a chance to process all the information you’ve been given and to cool off. If you visit another clinic and the surgeon doesn’t offer you two consultations prior to surgery, they’re not adhering to CQC guidelines and we’d recommend you look for an alternative practice for treatment. 

What are your qualifications?

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, few things are more important than selecting a surgeon with the qualifications and experience to guide you through the consultation process and perform the operation, should you decide to go ahead. The easiest way to check your surgeons’ qualifications is by referring to the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery which can be found visiting the GMC website. If your plastic surgeon is a full member of BAPRAS, you can be assured that they are both qualified and registered on the GMC’s Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery and also adhere to a strict code of practice around quality of patient care. Each of the surgeons at Coppergate Clinic are full members of BAPRAS so patients can be assured of the highest standards of expertise and care. 

What is your complication and re-operation rate?

A good plastic surgeon will always be willing to discuss their results and experience with you, so it is perfectly acceptable to ask what proportion of their patients need further corrective surgery. Your surgeon should also be able to tell you how the practice measures patient satisfaction and what steps are taken to continually improve on patient experience. On top of the ongoing, one-on-one support and advice we offer our patients, every patient who has undergone surgery at Coppergate Clinic receives an anonymous satisfaction survey to complete and return so that we can review their experience and address concerns in a timely fashion. 

What are the potential side effects and risks?

No surgical procedure is without risks or possible complications; it is essential that your surgeon discusses these openly and thoroughly with you, so that you can reach an informed decision over whether or not to proceed with an operation. Prior to your consultation, do your own research on the procedure you are considering so that you can compare the information you have found with the information you are given by your surgeon. If, during the consultation process your surgeon avoids talking about possible complications or downplays the risks, this should raise alarm bells and you should seek surgical treatment elsewhere. Coppergate Clinic are committed to providing as much information as possible to assist patients in forming a decision, which is why we clearly detail the potential side effects and risks of every procedure we offer in all of patient literature and ensure this is made available and referred to at each stage of the consultation process.

What results can I expect and how long will they last?

Treatment expectations are so often described subjectively, using phrases like ‘significant improvement’, so it’s important to ask your surgeon to expand on this and define any terms which seem vague or unclear. Ask the surgeon how long the results of surgery are likely to last and when it might need to be repeated in the future. If you are having implants as part of the procedure, find out how long these are expected to last and if they will need to be removed or replaced later down the line. Prior to surgery, you should be given written information to explain what is covered in the cost of the procedure and what sort of things may happen in the future which would be excluded from the initial cost of surgery. 

How can I find out more?

Coppergate Clinic’s team is always on hand and happy to assist you in making the best possible choice for your surgical care. If you want to find out more about our range of services, from renuvion skin tightening to VASER liposuction, or if you would like to find out more about our consultation process or indeed book an appointment with one of our fully qualified surgeons, do not hesitate to contact us today.