Transparency in Probable Outcomes of Cosmetic Surgeries Necessary

There is a certain aura about cosmetic surgery that often hovers around expecting miraculous outcomes, post surgery. A recent analysis by the Medical Defence Union insurance group has revealed that discontentment after a cosmetic surgery is one of the primary reasons for seeking compensation claims.

It is estimated that nearly 250 claims amounting to over £8.5m has been coughed up by the MDU in the last decade alone. To halt this trend, cosmetic surgeons and patients have been cautioned to communicate better amongst each other and thrash out unrealistic expectations.

Christine Tomkins, of MDU said 'Only a small number of claims arise from poor surgical technique.We know from this analysis that some patients have unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved by cosmetic procedures and what risks are involved in the procedure.'

The crux of the message is that both the doctor as well as the patient must clearly communicate all possible outcomes of the surgery along with the risks, before consenting to the surgery.