Warnings against plastic surgery incentives

Leading surgeons from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have commented on the dangers of clinics, magazines and health organisations which heavily promote procedures, even to the point of offering loyalty cards and money-off schemes for multiple procedures.

Bupa, amongst other surgery providers, were brought under fire, with BAAPS commenting on the fact that they appoint sales reps, paid on commission to promote plastic surgery, who are being briefed to target young women in particular.

President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Adam Searle said: “This trivialisation and commoditisation of medical procedures is appalling. It seems to have come down to the level of loyalty cards, money-off vouchers, competition prizes and even a raffle prize of a procedure of your choice.

"This belittling of the seriousness of undertaking a medical procedure degrades not only our specialty but also the medical profession as a whole."

He added: "The true tragedy is that within this epidemic of rather tasteless activity there are going to be patients who experience significant complications and lifelong damage from pursuing ill-planned and ill-thought out operations.

"Sensible and educated decision making about cosmetic surgery is in danger of being lost."

The clinics brought under attack, including Transform and Bupa have hit back at the claims. A Transform spokesperson had this to say: “One of the things we are very proud of is that we have been at the forefront of bringing the benefits of high quality surgery to the public at prices they can afford.

"A large part of this has been created by the ability to advertise this to the public and consequently inform them.

"We believe that without this we would go back to the day when cosmetic surgery was the preserve of a wealthy elite served by a section interest group devoid of competition. This would be a backward step."