Unfit doctors clog A&E with botched cosmetic ops
The IAPS said some doctors engaged in the booming private cosmetic surgery trade do not have any postgraduate training.
Plastic surgeons have up to 10 years' training.
On Tuesday, a doctor who flew into the country to carry out a procedure was found guilty of professional misconduct for not providing appropriate care for his patient. Irish Medical Council president Dr John Hillery has called for tighter controls.
The IAPS welcomed moves to improve regulation in the sector.
"Doctors can just fly into town, put a brass plaque on the wall and set up practice in aesthetic surgery," IAPS secretary and consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Sean O'Sullivan said.
"It's a very lucrative area with growing demand but we've had several incidents where there has been a complication after surgery and the patient has had no access to aftercare.
"The surgeon has flown out the night after the surgery and just a leaves a mobile number for a nurse. Many of the anaesthetists are also junior doctors doing the work as a nixer.
"It can all work perfectly well if nothing goes wrong but if something happens, there is no back-up system, no appropriate medication or experts on hand.
"In one case, for instance, we heard of a nose correction incident where the cosmetic surgeon couldn't control bleeding and had to rush the patient to A&E.
"Incidents like that are common," he said.
The Irish Medical Council said they plan to discuss regulation of clinics with Health Minister Mary Harney later this month.
Experts say it is difficult to place a value to the economy of the aesthetic trade industry but Irish people spent €5.7 million at the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Clinics last year alone. In Britain, where it is more regulated, the industry is valued at over €228m.
Mr O'Sullivan said mandatory postgraduate qualifications, pre-operative consultations with the surgeons, where possible complications are discussed, and independent inspection of private clinics should be compulsory.
He also advised any person considering cosmetic surgery to consult with a GP first and to check whether the doctor performing the operation is on the Irish Medical Council's specialist register, which ensured sufficient training.
Dr Hillery said: "Ideally, we would like those on the specialist register to have ongoing training but we need the laws changed for that.
"We would also like more intensive examinations for those who are giving concern but such changes would need a lot of resources," he said..
These are some of the most popular plastic surgery procedures among the Irish.
Liposculpture: is the number one surgery of choice and costs €4,500 for fat removal from the abdomen and hips.
Breast reductions: and augmentations are the number two choice of the Irish and cost around €6,500.
Face lifts: The third most popular procedure is minor face lifts or mask lifts and these cost €5,000 to €6,000.
Nose corrections: are the next most popular at €3,500 to €4,500.
Ear re-shaping: comes in fifth at a cost of €3,200.
Botox: and similar wrinkle-removing operations are also popular and cost around e180 for a year free of wrinkles.
All these prices come from the Advanced Cosmetic Clinic, which offers free consultation and after care service.
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