Cafes better regulated than cosmetic surgery

IN response to a variety of coverage the Irish cosmetic and aesthetic industry has been receiving in recent weeks, I am growing ever more concerned at the significant omissions being made by many ‘spokespeople’ quoted on behalf of the industry here.

In Ireland today, cafes and corner shops which handle food are more regulated than the cosmetic surgery sector.

With our call for this issue to be addressed by the Government falling on deaf ears year in, year out, let me clarify some details that consumers must be made aware of to ensure their safety if considering any cosmetic or aesthetic procedure.

First and foremost, the only approved title for an individual to perform cosmetic surgery is a ‘consultant plastic surgeon’.

This title means they have been through the recognised programme of formal training in plastic surgery. There is no other training in cosmetic surgery other than formal training and anyone using the description of ‘cosmetic surgeon’, ‘cosmetic doctor’ or ‘specialist with an interest in cosmetic surgery’ is not a plastic surgeon.

All consultant plastic surgeons are listed on the specialist registers of the Irish Medical Council under the heading ‘Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery’. If an individual has not trained as a plastic surgeon, he or she will not be on the specialist register and is therefore not qualified to carry out cosmetic surgery.

Furthermore, to ensure that proper aftercare is provided it is essential the customer clarifies that the surgeon is a permanent resident in Ireland.

And finally, any surgical procedure should only take place in regulated medical premises. Do not presume the clinic you are attending is regulated, as many are not.

I am growing weary of ‘specialist’ opinions being offered by unqualified and unspecialised persons and feel if I do not try to highlight the issue in as many ways as possible, then how can I complain if there continues to be such confusion about the industry?

Dare I even ask what must happen before the Department of Health will finally take note and address this serious issue?

Labros Chatzis MD, PhD, B Plas

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

River Medical Group

114 Lower Baggot Street

Dublin 2