Cosmetic Surgery – Bums, Boobs and Botox

Last night, Channel 4’s programme Bums, Boobs and Botox was interesting in that it highlighted very clearly what a commercial and coercive environment the cosmetic surgery industry is currently. At one point, a surgeon sees a female patient prior to undergoing breast enhancement surgery and quickly scribbles on a consent form mentioning the risk that the desired cup-size may not be achieved; that appeared to be the only risk of surgery of which the lady was informed, nothing about common risks of capsular contracture, infection, bleeding, scarring and other common risks which should of course be brought to the attention of the patient before having the operation.

This problem of lack of proper and full information, by surgeon to patient, before undergoing surgery sadly, occurs all too often leaving the patient unable to assess fully, the risks of the surgery and make an informed decision.