Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery is not as easy as TV serials or celebrities going under the knife may suggest.

Cosmetic surgery is not as easy or hassle free as television serials or celebrities going under the knife may suggest, according to a guideline issued by plastic surgeons for potential patients.

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The advice from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is being published in response to the popularity of television make-over programmes and of the drama series Nip/Tuck.

Television is making surgical procedures appear 'too normal'

Surgeons are worried about their impact on the public and fear they are making surgery appear "too normal" and may be increasing demand.

"There is general concern that they trivialise and glamorise surgery, so that people feel it is no more serious a procedure for a woman than having her hair done, her navel pierced or her eye lashes tinted," Mark Henley, a consultant surgeon, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

"In reality these are serious operations and people can easily forget that surgery has consequences," he added. The guidelines advise against cosmetic surgery at a time of major upheaval, such as moving house, bereavement, the break-up of a relationship or childbirth.

They say that no procedure is free of risk and tell patients to find out as much as possible about their surgeon in advance. They also warn against accepting add-on treatments when they have not been fully discussed.

"The timing of surgery for a successful result is of real importance. It will not solve the problems of people who are unhappy. These patients can be extremely vulnerable," Mr Henley said.