When seeing any professional, medical or otherwise, people always begin by checking credentials. So why should that be any different in cosmetic surgery?

I write this blog as I’ve just seen a lady in my rooms who has had two facelifts in two years by two cosmetic surgeons without result other then horrible scars and deformed ears. What angers me is that one of them has told her the results are her fault due to the way her body scars and has been charging her $500 per session to have laser and steroid injections to improve the scars. She has currently undergone 23 treatments at $500 each without much improvement to be then told she still needs another 50 treatments! Needless to say, she was in tears at how much she has been deceived and distraught at having to live her life with horrible deformities.

Unfortunately, given the nature of the cosmetic surgery industry, it attracts many people motivated by different objectives – not all of them noble and in your interest. The internet is also awash with people touting they are the best or a world leader and due to difficulties with regulating the web, how does the average patient navigate truth from marketing?

I am a fully qualified specialist Plastic Surgeon trained by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons which allows me to use the letters F.R.A.C.S. Be wary of other groups unrecognised by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) who have created letters similar to F.R.A.C.S as their training is not recognised by the AMC who is the only government body that authorises specialist medical qualifications. Please refer to our how to choose a surgeon post for further information regarding the selection of a cosmetic surgeon.

Dr Kevin Ho