Useful links

These days, you don’t have to go for long before you hear or read something about cosmetic surgery. However, the quality of that information can be extremely variable. Make sure that you only look at information from a trusted source. The sites listed below will provide you with that information.

• The American Society of Plastic Surgery - www.plasticsurgery.org. This is the site of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The organisation was established in 1931 and is the largest plastic surgery specialty organisation in the world.

• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) can provide you with information regarding the procedure and also has a useful section on frequently asked questions. Members of this association are plastic surgeons who are on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register. You will be able to check if your surgeon is a member at www.baaps.org.uk

• The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). Similar patient information is provided to the association above at www.bapras.org.uk

• The Department of Health have produced a lot of information and advice on cosmetic surgery. Their website address is www.dh.gov.uk

• The General Medical Council - www.gmc-uk.org. Use this site to check that your surgeon is registered. You can also see if your surgeon is on the Specialist Register.

• The Care Quality Commission monitors and inspects health and adult social care services in England, whether they're provided by the NHS, local authorities, private hospitals or voluntary organisations ( some of this work was previously carried out by the Healthcare Commission). You can use this site to look up previous inspection reports on the hospitals in which you may have an interest. The site includes information about cosmetic procedures and the steps you can take if you are unhappy with the results of a procedure, or if you think that it was not carried out properly. Just type cosmetic surgery in the search box on the home page.
• Independent Healthcare Advisory Services has been asked by the Government to work on a self regulatory model for cosmetic treatments which will include botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. They have also produced a set of standards and code of practice for practitioners working in cosmetic surgery.

• The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) provide detailed information about breast implants at www.mhra.gov.uk.

• The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the organisation responsible for setting standards in anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom. They have produced some very helpful information about anaesthetics for patients at www.rcoa.ac.uk

• The Royal College of Surgeons of England has a useful “frequently asked questions” section relating to both cosmetic surgery and having an operation. Their address is www.rcseng.ac.uk. You can also download a booklet called “Having an operation?” which has been written by the College’s Patient Liaison Group.