Looking good and feeling even better has become the norm of the modern society. Hence aesthetic surgery has firmly established its place in our world in recent years.

However along with these well established benefits comes a professional responsibility and duty of care placed upon the plastic surgeon.

As surgeons, it is our duty to be able to offer surgery which is effective, safe and ultimately gives a natural result. Emphasis must be placed on “natural”. At our clinic this philosophy is etched in stone, from the initial consultation right through to postoperative care.

Although we are sure that no ethical plastic surgeon would ever disagree with this statement, I personally adhere to this most strongly. I absolutely abhor any possibility that a patient of ours could look stretched, pulled or distorted in any way.

Most people of course have seen examples of “bad” cosmetic surgery which stands out from afar as being totally unnatural. As far as we are concerned these examples sometimes give plastic surgery an undeservedly bad reputation.

The aim of surgery is to make people look better not different. I believe that surgery should be approached in a holistic way as well as an aesthetic way. We believe in classic, natural, soft beauty that shines from within as well as being visible on the outside.

One of the most important and crucial steps in the process of achieving good cosmetic surgery is the initial consultation. The unique ability to gain an understanding of what a patient wants, to assess their anatomy, to imagine what would look best for a patient given their goals and finally to discuss this all with them in a concise, open and understandable way.

Our aim is for patients to leave their visit with a comprehensive and realistic understanding of what is achievable. Conversely, we have also gained a reputation for being honest enough to refuse patients when we feel surgery will not benefit them, or will make such minimal difference post-operatively as to render a risk to benefit ratio as unacceptably high! Being honest and managing expectations is an important part of building a relationship between a surgeon and a prospective patient. It is important that you establish trust right from the beginning of the relationship.

Our initial consultations take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to perform. This is very crucial for the prospective patient as well as a surgeon to establish the feasibility of aesthetic goals and to explain and discuss realistically achievable results.

A word about safety and procedures:

Many new techniques, implants, instruments and equipment come and go. Our Clinic does not rush to adopt them unless a clear advantage to their use can be unequivocally proven. In most circumstances meticulously executed, proven techniques serve patients better in most situations than the most recently advertised techniques being discussed in the press.

This is not to say of course that we do not perform the latest techniques, because we certainly do. What it does mean is that we weigh up the options and use techniques which will give the best results, rather than aggressively offering the “latest or newest” techniques if we are not convinced that this will give our patient the result they desire.

We also believe it is important to stay in close contact with a patient after surgery. While we are blessed because our surgery is very busy, we make sure to see all our patients personally and frequently post-operatively.

Last but by no means least, there is also an element of guilt felt about having any elective surgery. Many people have friends and relatives telling them that they don’t need surgery and questioning them as to why they want to subject themselves to any risk. This is totally understandable.

Prospective patients should, above all else, feel comfortable with their choice of surgeon and practice. Although the operation is one aspect of the whole experience, your hospital stay, follow-up visits and checks need to be conducted in a reassuring and comfortable manner in order to make your entire experience a positive one! "