Costhetics is proud to share information in this space about cosmetic enhancement procedures that have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world look and feel better. The professionals we work with have dedicated their lives to the arts and sciences of aesthetic beauty. Passionate about their craft, they strive to achieve optimal results for all their patients.
That’s what makes the rare instances of an unsuccessful procedure so difficult for the patient, and for the provider, too. According to statistics released by independent forum TreatmentAdviser.com and reported in the Daily Mail,
20% of facelifts, tummy tucks, breast implants and liposuction ‘disappoint expectations’
In a best-case scenario, both parties work together to find a solution. In other instances, a patient’s behaviour or misplaced expectations may be a factor in sub-optimal results. In worst-case scenarios, a patient may have a legitimate grievance that needs to be addressed and resolved through a formal complaint.
In this article, Costhetics turns to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and other resources to provide consumers with information about what to do if you are unhappy with the results of your cosmetic surgery.
The #1 Thing to Do If You’re Unhappy with Your Surgery
The vast majority of aesthetic professionals are caring individuals with the best interests of their patients at heart. Despite their best efforts, however, a number of factors, some of them out of the practitioner’s hands, make cosmetic enhancement an imperfect science.
“No organization tracks how many procedures are done to correct cosmetic work. Muddying the situation is the fact that some doctors tweak their own work if it falls short of the patient’s goals and that some complications call for immediate reoperation, like a hematoma, or a collection of pooled blood, beneath a closed incision.” – The New York Times
Expected and sometimes unavoidable problems include infections, scarring, and poor healing. When these occur, most competent surgeons will stay on the problem until it’s rectified for these main reasons:
- Oath of Office – Medical professionals take an oath to care for their patients. It is an oath they take very seriously.
- Good Business – Beyond their professional obligation, aesthetic practitioners understand that satisfied patients are walking billboards for the services they provide.
For these reasons, your first course of action is to talk to your provider. If you know that this will not resolve your problem, contacting the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is your next step.
Click here for Part 2 of Costhetics 2-part series on consumer rights in cosmetic enhancement.