More legislation protects your dog during surgery than protects a patient of cosmetic surgery, says Marc Pacifico, VP of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
A new petition aims to change that.
BAAPS, who previously called for banning BBL surgeries and DTC cosmetic surgery ads, wants legislation passed that requires surgeons doing plastic surgery to be on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register.
That would ensure surgeons have the right training and licensing, access to medical insurance, and are eligible to work in facilities equipped to treat serious complications if they occur.
“If successful, this will stop beauticians and untrained doctors from performing surgical procedures and causing patients harm,” BAAPS president Mary O’Brien says.
“It is the start of a long journey, but this initial step would considerably improve the current position in the UK. If we get the signatures and legislation, this could make the biggest difference to patient safety in cosmetic surgery ever seen in the UK.”
The UK banned cosmetic procedure ads to audiences under age 18 on May 25, 2022.
That ban covers any procedure designed to change a person’s appearance, including plastic surgery, fillers, injectables, and chemical peels.