Safer facelift surgery regulations
After the GMC announced stricter regulations were to be brought in to force in the UK to ensure the safety of patients, Australia has now been prompted to do the same for facelift surgery patients.
According to reports from Australia’s news networks, following on from the rule changes in Great Britain, announced in April, our friends across the water will now introduce improved safety standards to better protect patients choosing to undergo facial rejuvenation procedures, including facelift surgery and anti-ageing treatments.
For a long time, Australia’s cosmetic surgery industry has only been lightly regulated, with many surgeons and doctors performing procedures such as facelift surgery out of their training or remit. The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery welcomes Medical Board’s new guidelines for cosmetic medical and surgical procedures.
The new guidelines are designed to ensure potential facelift patients are well informed prior to their facial rejuvenation surgery, and the ACCS has taken an active role in the development of the new guidelines, which aim to improve patient safety and informed consent. ACCS president Dr. Ron Bezic said that the new guidelines were “a win for patients..“Our College was the first to establish a code of practice. Many of the provisions of that code are also now reflected in the new guidelines,” he said in the official press statement. “Patients will benefit particularly from the improved informed consent provisions. Cosmetic medicine and surgery are almost always self-referred, and there is a greater need for the stronger informed consent guidelines announced today by the Medical Board of Australia.”
Dr Bezic noted that “there was still work to be done”, noting that in order to achieve the strongest regulatory framework “a multidimensional approach must be adopted.”
The guidelines, which take effect from 1 October 2016, provide for cooling off periods for major procedures and under 18s, mandatory pre-treatment consultations, better price transparency and improved post-operative care protocols. “It’s great to see that other nations are realising the importance of safety and stricter regulations with the aesthetic and cosmetic surgery industry,” says Mr. Jag Chana, an expert in facelift surgery in London.
“When it comes to cosmetic surgery procedures, patients should be aware of who is performing their treatment, as well as that surgeon’s medical qualifications and background.”
Making an informed decision about facelift surgery
• Anyone considering facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift surgery in London should do their homework prior to agreeing to treatment with their elective surgeon.
• Ensure your surgeon is properly trained in facelift surgery (or your chosen procedure) and can prove they have performed the facial rejuvenation procedure before, successfully.
• Where did the surgeon train? How long has he/she been operating? Do they maintain their training by taking advanced courses to hone their skills? Are they a member of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons or a part time facial surgeon who spends most of their time as an ENT surgeon or Dental Surgeon?
• Ask about the recovery process, and don’t forget to educate yourself on the risks and complications associated with facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelift surgery.
Contact the clinic for more information about choosing a cosmetic surgeon for facelift surgery in London, and remember to ask questions before deciding to have cosmetic surgery, so you make an informed decision.