Myths about Plastic Surgery

With a substantial rise in the number of people undergoing plastic surgery, such surgery has become normalised and no longer carries the “artificial” stigma of yesteryear. However, it is dangerous to trivialise it as a “cosmetic treatment”, especially in the age of social media.

Both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, like any other kind of surgery, are full fledged surgical procedures. The risks and complications therefore need to be seriously considered, and balanced against realistic expectations. A patient can have an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic or be affected by postoperative complications. These problems can occur even when the surgery has been performed with the utmost skill. In addition, results cannot be guaranteed. The best way to reduce risk is to consult a fully trained and qualified specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon

The medical specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery encompasses both cosmetic (aesthetic) and reconstructive surgery. A trainee plastic and reconstructive surgeon completes an average of 3,000 procedures over the course of his/her training of which almost two-thirds have a cosmetic application. Specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeons draw from both their reconstructive and cosmetic skills and training in order to deliver the optimal result for each patient, no matter the circumstance.

Patients are sometimes confused by various medical titles and what they represent. A fully trained and accredited surgeon in the specialty of plastic surgery is known as a specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Most are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) or have equivalent training and accreditation. This means the surgeon has been selected into, and completed, the rigorous postgraduate plastic surgery education and training on top of their basic medical degree. Such qualified specialists hold “vocational registration” with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

In contrast, “cosmetic surgeon” is a self-awarded title with no legal protections. Any doctor (even a new graduate) may call themselves this, without needing to have any training or be held to any professional standard. Patients harmed by these unqualified doctors have been well publicised in the media over the last several years.

The victims of dangerous cosmetic surgery using toxic chemicals speak out | 60 Minutes Australia (youtube.com)

Shocking practices exposed in Australia’s cosmetic surgery industry | Four Corners (youtube.com)