Cosmetic surgery, like all types of surgery, can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected. It's therefore very important to have a detailed discussion with your surgeon about the procedure that you're considering. This will ensure that you understand what's involved and any possible risks.
As every individual’s body is unique, it's not possible to predict with 100% certainty how your body will react to surgery. However, to give yourself the best possible chance of having successful surgery you should:
- have an identifiable problem that can be improved by cosmetic surgery
- make sure that your expectations of what surgery can achieve are realistic
- tell the surgeon about your expectations and make sure you understand the advice they give you about how the procedure may work for you
- make sure that you understand and follow the surgeon’s pre-surgery and aftercare advice
Complaining to the surgeon, hospital or clinic
If you've had cosmetic surgery and you're not happy with the results, or you think that the procedure wasn't carried out properly, take up the matter with your surgeon through the hospital or clinic that referred you.
The surgeon or hospital staff may be able to deal effectively with your concerns, particularly if the healing process is not complete or your body still needs time to settle down. If, after the healing process is complete, you're still unhappy with the results, the hospital or clinic may offer you further surgery to put things right.
Complaining to the Care Quality Commission
If you're not happy with how the hospital or clinic where you had cosmetic surgery has dealt with your complaint, you may wish to take the matter further.
All hospitals and clinics that provide invasive cosmetic surgery must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC can take action against a hospital or clinic if it believes that certain standards have not been met.
If you have a complaint that you'd like to be investigated, see the CQC's website for information and advice about how to make a complaint. The CQC cannot deal with complaints that relate to fees or unregistered practitioners.
