Cosmetic Surgery: Contacts

If you're contemplating having cosmetic surgery in the future you need to go into it with your eyes wide open. Find out as much as you can about the procedure and the risks involved before you make any rash decisions that could have lasting or even permanent effects. We've created this list of places to contact and refer to for information on having safe cosmetic surgery, both in the UK and abroad.

The Healthcare Commission

The Healthcare Commission (www.healthcarecommission.org.uk) have a booklet on their website that you can download in PDF format. The booklet offers advice for anyone who is considering having cosmetic surgery. The Healthcare Commission are the official body responsible for assessing healthcare in England, both in the NHS and the independent health sector. They insist that all independent sector hospitals and clinics offering cosmetic surgery (breast implants and reductions, liposuction, facelifts and tummy tucks) must be registered with and inspected by them before they can offer treatment. They also regulate laser treatments, such as laser vision correction and hair removal. You can check with them to see if the practitioner or clinic that you're thinking of using is registered with them. If it's not, you aren't advised to go ahead with the treatment, as it can't be guaranteed that it is a reputable clinic or surgeon. You can download the book at: http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Making_safe_choices_-_Information_for_people_considering_a_cosmetic_treatment.pdf.

The Department of Health

The Department of Health has a section of their website devoted to cosmetic surgery. It offers information on the wide range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments that are available, plus advice on choosing a surgeon with the right qualifications. You can find this information at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/CosmeticSurgery/index.htm. You can also download the same information in a PDF on that webpage, if you don't want to be clicking on lots of different links to get to the information that is relevant to you.