New data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) have revealed a stark increase in the need for revision surgery after “botched” aesthetic procedures.
The poll of around 230 BAAPS members found 8 out of 10 had witnessed “an alarming increase” in requests for corrective procedures during the last 5 years, with some members attributing a third of their own practice to fixing other people’s mistakes.
The findings, presented at the BAAPS annual scientific meeting in London last weekend, attributed to need for revision surgery to 3 main factors – incorrect patient selection, inadequately trained providers and medical tourism.
BAAPS President, Simon Withey, said: “Patient selection is one of the most key issues to consider when considering who is appropriate for a procedure. I have seen many people who were clearly not appropriate for surgery - ranging from unrealistic expectations, to the more extreme body dysmorphia, contraindicated medications, smokers, pre-existing medical conditions - which should have ruled them out. And yet, unscrupulous practitioners have endangered their health entirely for profit.
“There is currently - perhaps unsurprisingly, in these turbulent times - a measure of financial uncertainty in the United Kingdom. Thus, affordability is one of the biggest drivers in the rise of ‘cosmetic medical tourism’ deals offering all-inclusive package holidays and promise a high-quality service at heavily discounted rates. However, these promotions conveniently gloss over the increased risk for complications post-surgery due to travel, less robust regulations and credentialing, as well as a lack of consistent follow-up.
“This has directly led to an increase in the number of reported cases of people returning to the United Kingdom with serious complications after receiving cosmetic surgery abroad. Consequently, many patients are being treated in the NHS for complications,” he said.