Welcome to the world of cosmetic surgery: on offer is an array of seemingly quick and easy fixes designed to eradicate all your insecurities. Interest free loans tailor made for surgeries of all shapes and sizes. Holidays that have you sightseeing on Monday, a nip tuck on Tuesday, shopping on Wednesday and by Thursday you’ll be on your way home sporting your extreme make-over. Dr Andrew Ives, Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon warns however, that if you’re looking for a quick fix to looking beautiful, you may be getting more than you bargained for.
DRIVE THROUGH SURGERY
These days, we want what we want, and we want it now. Open 24 hours; drive-through; buy-now-pay-later; approval in two minutes; instant access at the click of a mouse – we’ve become a society with no patience. Wanting instant gratification though has its drawbacks when talking about cosmetic surgery and anti-ageing procedures. You’re about to find out why.
QUICK FIX SURGERY
The media is always selling us quick fixes to looking beautiful. Surgical holidays, botox parties and surgical brokers all target people to get the insecure, unattractive and unsatisfied to part with their money. What you seem to seldom be told is that these quick fixes carry serious risks and can result in some devastating outcomes. Good luck to those who want to take the chance and all I can say to them is, ”I wish you luck, because that’s what you’ll need”.
Surgical Holidays: the media tells us they’re in vogue. We’re always hear testimonies from people who have been there and done that. They give us their testimonies on how elated they are with their new breasts and how cheap they were by comparison to having them done in Australia. But what we don’t hear is the testimonies from those who have come back with bad scars, extruding implants, serious infections and wounds falling apart.
The facts are:
- You pay for these surgical holidays up front. Before you even meet the surgeon and before you get any examination. If you aren’t a suitable candidate for the procedure, don’t count on getting your money back and being sent safely home. Chances are you will be operated on regardless of indications to the contrary. So much for the doctor putting your best interests ahead of his financial ones.
- The surgeons performing these procedures don’t have to adhere to the same qualification requirements as we do here in Australia. You’ll have no idea of the standard of care you will be give.
- Whilst you may not experience complications right after your surgery, you may when you get back to Australia. Given you can’t see your surgeon, who will you see then?
“I am constantly amazed that people go ahead with these “surgical holidays” or book a procedure without first meeting the surgeon who will be performing the surgery. If you’re buying a house or car, I don’t think many people would sign up before they’ve seen the house or test driven the car first; and those are material things. This is their body that we’re dealing with.”
The same problem occurs with surgeons who fly in from other cities to perform surgeries then fly out the same day. Dr Andrew Ives has had many patients go to him seeking to have problems corrected as a result of these quick fixes. He’s seen horrific disfigurements and people suffering severe complications. He does what he can to address these problems but as a surgeon, there is sometimes not a great deal that can be done. What you will realize is that these quick, cheap and easy options that look so attractive, fast become very expensive and traumatic disasters.
It’s your body, your face
When it comes to a nip tuck or an anti-ageing procedure, people will do as they please. There is no regulation about what is on offer when it comes to quick fixes. But do you want to take the risk with your body or your face. Wouldn’t you rather know that you’re getting the very best surgery and the very best of care before, during and after the procedure?
A Great Surgeon is an Honest Surgeon
If a surgeon tells you there is no risk of complications to a procedure, he or she isn’t be being truthful. All surgery carries a risk. Dr Andrew Ives takes pride in his work as a Surgeon. He’s honest and will tell you about the risks at the outset. He’ll discuss with you what you are trying to achieve from your procedure. With his holistic approach to his patients, he will follow up with you and track your recovery and should you experience complications, however minor, you know you’ll be looked after. He puts his key to success down to treating patients as he would like to be treated as a patient himself.
Qualifications matter
It is important that your procedure is going to be performed by a fully qualified and licensed surgeon. In Australia, anyone with a medical degree can perform plastic and cosmetic surgery provided the patient has signed a consent form or given permission. He or she doesn’t need to have the training, skill or experience. Today, there are many doctors out there performing cosmetic surgery today with no formal surgical training. This leaves patients wide open to potential disasters.
Dr Ives strongly advises patients to check that their surgeon is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. This ensures the surgeon is a specialist in his or her field with extensive training and study.
Dr Ives has seen how Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, and Anti-Aging Treatments can all have a positive affect on people’s lives. It is what he loves about his job. He has seen how it can boost his patient’s confidence, their lifestyle improves and their professional life benefits. Not to mention their sex life… the positive changes that come about as a result of these procedures are endless.
But you as a patient need to do your part to ensure your outcome is successful… and the most important step is choosing the right surgeon.
DR IVES TIPS PRIOR TO SURGERY
Look
Check the qualifications of the surgeon performing your procedure, and ask to see photographs of previous patients. Ask your surgeon if they can recommend patients who have undergone the same surgery that you can talk to. This is a great way to get first-hand accounts from someone who has actually experienced it.
Listen
Usually you will have two consultations with your surgeon prior to surgery. Use these consultations wisely. Discuss everything you need to discuss and listen. Take notes if you need to. It is sometimes wise to take a trusted friend or family member along to these consultations.
Learn
Information is power, but only if it’s the right information. There is a lot of rubbish on the internet so make sure you are doing your research from a credible source. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has a great website at www.asps.com.au that can give you the location of an Australian trained and qualified surgeon.
Q&A with Donna.
