LEADING PLASTIC SURGEON URGES CAUTION FOR PATIENTS

A leading plastic surgeon has spoken out against exploitative practices in the profession and advises patients to be extremely wary when seeking a procedure.

Mr Richard Matthews, the Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Cawston Manor, an exclusive clinic located in the village of Cawston, near Rugby, says that some vulnerable people are at significant risk of undergoing unnecessary and dangerous treatments following unscrupulous advice.

Mr Matthews, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, said that  people  sometimes come to him for whom cosmetic surgery would be a disaster. They suffer from dysmorphia, a psychological condition causing  general dissatisfaction with their body image and  for which cosmetic surgery, far from producing satisfaction, however well performed, simply leads to an obsessional deepening of the problem.  The treatment is through psychological and/or psychiatric methods.

Mr Matthews mentions the recent National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death(NCEPOD) Report on Cosmetic Surgery highlighting the low availability of and referral to Psychological services and the need for this to change.

Reputable Plastic Surgeons will recognise a potential problem of this nature and make the referral, as opposed to the ‘cowboy’ element for whom the financial allure is top  priority, thereby putting both their clients and themselves at risk.

“There needs to be much more regulation and the recent moves to eliminate production line practices, where there is little back up for the patients in the event of something going wrong, are a step in the right direction.

“It must never be forgotten that any invasive procedure can potentially have complications.”

His comments come soon after the NCEPOD  report made some disturbing findings about the industry.

Less than half the operating theatres (44%) were properly equipped and 22% did not have a resuscitation team on hand at all times. Nearly a third (32%) did not offer a cooling-off period, as they are supposed to, so that after an initial discussion the patient can go away and decide whether to have the operation. Only a third (35%) offered psychological counselling.

Mr Matthews says patients seeking the services of a cosmetic surgeon must bear in mind four things:-

• Select an organisation where practitioners have recognised cosmetic qualifications
• Find out if they have continuing membership of a recognised body, as well as an annual audit.
• Seek the advice of your GP and remember that word of mouth is a powerful indicator of quality
• It’s vital to choose a highly-regarded clinic over one that is cheaper. Economy and quality don’t normally go hand in hand

He added: “Just because a procedure has been described, it does not necessarily mean it is the right  thing for everyone.  Proper patient assessment is essential, followed by careful consideration of what  would benefit them most.

“For example, the practice of putting calf implants into teenagers  is hard if not impossible to justify, in my view, whereas I do see a place for breast augmentation once someone comes of age and they are mature enough to make sensible decisions.

“We must also steer patients away from “trendy” procedures if they are not suitable. For instance, contour thread lifts have been pushed hard but the results can be disappointing and I have seen complications.”

Mr Matthews and his team use the latest products and techniques, such as dissolvable stitches, avoiding staples and reducing tissue inflammation..

He concluded: “We live in a culture where image and ability to change it is becoming more prevalent.

“Treatments are more accessible to a broader cross-section of the population and the industry is growing year on year. Standards must rise in accordance.

“Most people who come to me have a recognisable problem and if I can put that right so they feel comfortably normal and can then move on in their lives, I feel I have done my job and get great satisfaction from that.”