Frequently Asked Questions

Have you been asking the right questions?

We want to help people you be happy and satisfied with your plastic surgery. So use these FAQs and our cosmetic overview section for reference, find your own surgeon or cosmetic treatment specialist, tell us about or recommend surgeons and cosmetic treatment specialists by completing a quick review form and use our forums to give and receive advice actively with like-minded individuals.

Q. Is surgery right for you?

Q. How do I find a good plastic surgeon?

Q. How can I increase my chances of being happy about the results of my surgery?

Q. How much does plastic surgery cost?

Q. What kind of cosmetic treatments can I have without ‘surgery’?

Q. What should I ask a salon, clinic or practice before my cosmetic treatment?

Q. Which procedures are invasive?

Q. What risks are involved in plastic surgery?

Q. Is there any regulatory body for cosmetic treatments?

Q. Yikes - what if something goes wrong?


Q. Is surgery right for you?

Maybe this doesn't need to be said but we'll say it anyway. Plastic surgery won't change your life or solve any relationship or employment issues you have. You might feel more confident, especially if you've wanted surgery for a long time, but it won't help you deal with situations or dynamics. If you have any anxieties, think about seeing a counselor or your GP.

It's worth thinking through alternatives to surgery. Plastic surgery is permanent after all. For example, you know you should eat healthily and exercise; there's no easy way out of that. If you don't eat well and exercise your surgery results may not last well.

Q. How do I find a good plastic surgeon?

Right here! The Good Surgeon Guide website is designed to help you find the best plastic surgeon or cosmetic treatment specialist for you.

You can search for surgeons or consultants by specialty or region, then research them using our forums. Or you can read what they’ve said themselves alongside what their patients have to say.

You can also contact the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS) or British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) for a full list of their members.

Q. How can I increase my chances of being happy about the results of my surgery?

First, take your time and consider  your reasons for having surgery. It’s never a good idea to have any elective surgery to please someone else or because of someone pressuring you. Be clear that you are doing this for you and think carefully about your expectations.

Make sure you feel confident and empowered. Find out all you can about the procedure and read what other patients have to say. People all over the world have had the same procedure you’re thinking of having so visit forums and websites. It’s an easy way to get a reality check on what to expect, the level of pain involved and recovery.

When expectations are realistic you’re more likely to have a good attitude towards your procedure.

It’s also great if you can find a plastic surgery ‘buddy’ – someone who’s been through the same who can support you in your choice, as well as your recovery and celebration of the new you! Buddies often come together in our forums.


Q. How much does plastic surgery cost?

Here’s a rough idea of how much the most popular plastic surgery procedures cost in the UK 2008. Prices vary depending on you as an individual, your surgery and surgeon.

Breast augmentation: £3,400 - £5,000
Breast reduction: £3,700 - £5,500
Breast uplift: £3,250 - £5,500

Nose job: £3,000 - £4,000
Facelift: £4,200 - £5,800

Tummy tuck: £3,800 - £5,200
Liposuction: £1,550 - £5,000

Eyelid lift: £2,850 - £3,600
Ear pinning/enhancing: £1,100 - £2,800

Q. What kind of cosmetic treatments can I have without ‘surgery’?

  • Repair of skin damage - tissue transplant (Autologous Cell Therapy)
  • Remove lines and wrinkles - Botox® treatments (Botulinum Toxin injection)
  • Diminishing the appearance of cellulite - (Endermologie®)
  • Improve skin appearance - Chemical peel 
  • Lift sagging skin on your face - specially developed surgical threads inserted via tiny puncture holes
  • Firmer, younger-looking skin - fat transfer or collagen injections (dermal fillers)
  • Hair removal - electrolysis and laser including Intense Pulsed Light
  • Skin rejuvenation - these include Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
  • Tightening skin to reverse signs of aging - infra-red, e.g. Titan device
  • Rejuvenate skin - lasers and Intense Pulsed Light
  • Tattoo removal - lasers
  • Vein, wart and skin pigment treatment - lasers
  • Active acne treatment - light
  • Rejuvenate skin in a local area - micro-injection of vitamins, amino acids and various substances. Mesotherapy. No-Needle Mesotherapy is also available, which uses mild electric currents in place of needles to help substances penetrate the skin
  • Reduce wrinkles and improve complexion - micro-current procedures (non-surgical facelift) stimulate the muscle and lymphs
  • Subtly refresh your skin's appearance - microdermabrasion is easy and painless
  • Semi permanent make-up -  known as micropigmentation
  • Thread veins - microwave treatment using a Veinwave machine
  • Reduce the appearance of cellulite and fat - radiofrequency energy, sometimes in combination with infra-red or suction
  • Tighten mild to moderate lax tissue and rejuvenate the face, forehead, cheeks, jaw line and around eyes -  radiofrequency
  • Contour your body - Ultrasound can alleviate pockets of stubborn fat without incision. Instead, fatty deposits are broken down gently, absorbed and removed by the body
  • Treat leg veins - sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy injects a substance that causes swelling and ultimately bursting of the vein’s wall
  • Skin camouflage - creams can successfully mask birthmarks, scarring, dark circles under eyes and discolourations. A consultant can show you how to apply an individual cream that matches your skin tone
  • Signs of sun damaged and discoloured skin in specialist cases - Tretinoin and Hydroquinone creams are available on prescription

Q. What should I ask a salon, clinic or practice before my cosmetic treatment?

A. Lots of things!

  • Is the treatment right for you?
  • Who will do the treatment for you?
  • How experienced are they? Ask to see their certificate of accreditation.
  • Have they been trained in this particular treatment?
  • do they have professional indemnity insurance?
  • Do they have before and after photos of previous procedures?
  • How long does the treatment take?
  • How painful is it?
  • Are any drugs given?
  • Is the equipment sterilised and used only for you?
  • If you’re having a dermal filler ask what it is made of.
  • Will an allergy test be performed first?
  • If you’re having Botox® ask if you’ll see a doctor, dentist or an Independent Nurse and ask whether he or she prescribes the Botox®?
  • For any cosmetic treatment, ask what other options you have.
  • What are the risks involved?
  • What is the recovery like?
  • Will you need pain relief?
  • Will there be bruising?
  • Do they have advice on after-car?
  • are there follow-up appointments?
  • Ask how long it will be until you see the results and how long they will last.
  • Will they want to take ‘after’ photos of you? Will they be shown to other people?
  • Make sure you know exactly how much the treatment will cost in full including any recovery materials you might need.

Q. Which procedures are invasive?

  • Upper Arm Lift
  • Belly Button enhancement (Umbilicoplasty)
  • Breast Implants
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Nipple Surgery
  • Breast Reduction (male and female procedures)
  • Brow Lift
  • Buttock Lift
  • Ear Pinning and enhancement (Otoplasty)
  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
  • Face Lift
  • Fat Transfer – Implants, body and facial including lip
  • Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)
  • Removal of fat in pockets of the skin (e.g. double chin or ‘love handles’) without suction: Laser Lipolysis
  • Laser Skin Resurfacing
  • Liposuction
  • Lower Body Lift
  • Penile Augmentation –
  • Skin Resurfacing (Dermabrasion)
  • Thigh Lift
  • Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
  • Vaginal enhancement
  • Weight Loss (Bariatric surgery including gastric bands)

Q. What risks are involved in plastic surgery?

All surgery involves risk. From anesthesia through to how skilled your surgeon is – not just medically but artistically. There are even risks right through to your recovery

If you’re having surgery because of a life-threatening or painful condition, you should obviously balance the risks of surgery.

Then again, the benefits of plastic surgery to someone who’s been deeply unhappy or even depressed about their appearance can have a hugely positive impact on their sense of wellbeing and life in general.

So think about the general risks of surgery, find out the exact medical risks involved in the specific surgery you’re considering, add the possible risks of disappointment over the aesthetic result and weigh those against the perceived benefits of having the surgery.

For many people, possible risks completely outweigh the benefits and their choice is clear. If you’ve always hated your nose, felt people were prejudicing you because of your large breasts or been ridiculed over your appearance there’s probably no question that surgery is worth it.


Q. Is there any regulatory body for cosmetic treatments?

No! Cosmetic treatments (as opposed to plastic surgery) are completely unregulated. There are no recognised memberships that we can find. If you know something we don’t, please get in touch and tell us. When you’re considering a face peel, Botox®, thread lift or similar cosmetic treatment try to find out if the practitioner has only just completed the course (no experience) or if they have even had formal training.

You really need to have your wits about you. If almost anyone can say they’re a plastic surgeon, imagine what kind of person can say they’re qualified to perform skin peels, dermabrasion and Botox® procedures?

While many procedures offer maximum gains from minimal effort, you need an expert to get it right.

Q. Yikes - what if something goes wrong?

The first step is to tell the consultant, surgeon, clinic or hospital you are unhappy with the result of your treatment. This gives them the chance to resolve the problem with you. If you are unhappy with cosmetic surgery, ask the clinic or hospital where you had the procedure performed for a copy of their written policy and procedures for handling complaints.They are required to have these available for patients.

If you cannot reach a resolution with the clinic or hospital, take your complaint to the Independent Healthcare Forum (020 7379 8598) or the Care Quality Commission (0300 0616161). The Care Quality Commission is empowered to take action if there has been a breach in the standards the clinic or hospital is expected to meet.

If your complaint is specifically in regard to the performance or conduct of your doctor, make a complaint to the General Medical Council (020 7580 7642). Check their website at www.gmc-uk.org for more information.

Complaints about nurses should be made to the Nursing and Midwifery Council www.nmc-uk.org. For dentists, it's the General Dental Council www.gdc-uk.org.

For cosmetic treatments, you do have some recourse. Firstly, talk to the consultant performing your procedure. If you want to make a complaint about a prescription medicine like Botox®, or an implant, talk to the Prescription Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency www.mhra.gov.uk.

If all else fails, you can choose to take legal action. You can make a claim for reparation in the small claims court in England and Wales for up to £5,000 in claims or £1,000 in personal injury, in Scotland the limit is £750 and in Northern Ireland, £2,000.

Is your complaint more serious? Seek the advice of a clinical negligence solicitor.