The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 24
As complications from cosmetic tourism rise, UK and Turkish
Plastic Surgeons Unite to Issue Consumer Guidelines
Statement Issued by the British Association of
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and TSPRAS (the
Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgeons)
The significant increase in numbers of
patients travelling abroad for aesthetic
plastic surgery has been linked with
consequent serious complications and even
deaths. According to the BAAPS Annual
Cosmetic Surgery Audit complications rose by
35% in 2022.
BAAPS and TSPRAS have made an
unprecedented joint statement due to
concerns for patient welfare and safety.
BAAPS and TSPRAS understand and recognise
that there will always be patients from
different countries who will seek medical and
surgical treatments abroad.
There are a variety of reasons this may be
so, but multiple reports have highlighted
concerns that our two national societies share
regarding standards of patient care.
Undergoing any form of surgery risks
experiencing a complication, no matter who
the surgeons is or where it is performed,
however, what these reports have highlighted
is poor practice, unnecessary risk taking and
potentially avoidable harm to patients.
President of BAAPS Marc Pacifico said;
“Whilst in the United Kingdom recognised
surgeons can be checked on the GMC
Specialist Register and hospitals and clinics
are regulated by the CQC, this is not the case
in other countries.”
“BAAPS and TSPRAS have come together
to draw up some advice and guidance for
patients seeking surgery in Türkiye (Turkey),
which has a large cosmetic tourism industry.
The aim of this guidance is to help to protect
patients from harm and ensure that they are
aware of standards of care (both before and
after surgery) that they should expect as a
minimum.”
The two organisations strongly urge anyone
from the UK considering travelling to Türkiye
for cosmetic surgery to consider the following
points:
• Any Turkish surgeon seen should be a
member of TSPRAS (the Turkish Society
of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgeons) - of which there is a member
listing available online (https://www.
plastikcerrahi.org.tr/doktor-arama/).
If there is uncertainty regarding your
surgeon’s qualifications or Society
membership, you should email:
tprecd@gmail.com
• Your surgeon in Türkiye should have Turkish
board certification - you should be able to
see their certificate on request.
• EBOPRAS membership (the European Board
of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery) is desirable in your surgeon.
• Your surgeon should have been in practice
in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery for at least 5-years (as training is
different in Türkiye)
• Your surgeon should offer you an aftercare
plan.
• You should know the name of your surgeon
and how to contact them if there is a
problem.
• It is advisable to ask how long your surgeon
has been working with their clinic or
company - at least 3-years is recommended.
• Informed consent - it is compulsory in
Türkiye to have a comprehensive consent
form completed ahead of travel - if this
does not happen it should raise concerns.
• Please double-check your surgeon about
his/her specialty. In Türkiye – there are
practitioners who claim to be plastic
surgeons who are not, and other surgeons
working outside their areas of training and
specialty.
• We recommend that your surgeon performs
your surgery in a fully recognised hospital,
which might be, in Türkiye, identified by
having at least 30-beds.
President of BAAPS Marc Pacifico added; “We
hope that these guidelines will help patients
with their research into surgeons and clinics
in Türkiye and urge anyone to think carefully
before considering surgery abroad.
About the British Association of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons
The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at
the Royal College of Surgeons, is a notfor-profit organisation, established for the
advancement of education and practice of
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit.
Members undergo thorough background
screening before they can join. Information
about specific procedures and surgeons’
contact details can be found on the website,
or by contacting their office at 020 7430
1840. Further materials can be posted to
members of the public seeking specialised
information.
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