Statement in response to £6,000 cosmetic surgery prize in Europa International lottery
Media statement- 9 January 2008
Hamish Laing, Honorary Secretary of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) said:
“This isn’t an appropriate way for patients to be selected to undergo irreversible plastic surgery procedures. Whilst clearly the funding of cosmetic surgery is a consideration for patients, it needs to be balanced against the appropriateness of the procedure, the patients expectations and whether they are clinically fit enough to undergo it. Running a legal and licensed lottery is one thing, providing inducements to undergo cosmetic surgery quite another.
“In the normal scheme of things, patients would meet with a surgeon first to establish his or her credentials and that of the hospital where the procedure will take place before committing to anything. Patients should be given information not inducements when considering cosmetic surgery.
“Furthermore, whilst there are very competent plastic surgeons working outside the UK, an issue for any patient having an operation abroad that should be considered carefully is how any complications after the operation would be dealt with, if they are in the UK and their surgeon is abroad. BAPRAS has previously expressed concerns about the number of patients presenting to the NHS in the UK with complications from cosmetic surgery procedures carried out abroad.”
[ENDS]
About cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery means operations that revise or change appearance, colour, texture, structural position of body features to achieve what patients perceive to be more desirable.
About BAPRAS
www.bapras.org.uk
BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, is the voice of plastic surgery in the UK. It aims to increase the understanding of the professional specialty and scope of plastic surgery, promoting innovation in teaching, learning and research.
Founded in 1946 (originally as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons), today BAPRAS has over 800 members and is the professional representative body for reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeons providing services to patients on the NHS and privately in the UK.
Members of the public can find a member plastic surgeon in their area by logging on to www.bapras.org.uk. Anyone can check the GMC to find out if a surgeon is on the plastic surgery specialist register.