Cosmetic surgeons playing with patients: Study
POSTED February 26, 2009 - 15:51 | POSTED BY Shikha Patial
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on February 26, 2009 - 17:42
Sydney, February 26: A consumer group CHOICE has exposed how cosmetic surgeons lure patients to have them buy their services without informing them about the after effects and risks.
CHOICE probed into the matter with the help of three women, who, posing as potential customers, tested 30 surgeons in Brisbane and Sydney. The three women each sought liposuction, breast augmentation and Botox.
The investigation exposed the awful tricks doctors used to promote their services. One of the surgeons offered $1700 discount to a patient if she agreed for her 'before and after' photos to be published to the internet. Many states prohibit using 'before and after' photograph of a patient for promotion.
Another woman was told that getting breast transplants could help her attract boys.
“This was where the woman in one case was shown the breasts of one of the sales consultants as an example of the doctors' handiwork, was told she actually needed to have the surgery done, was offered a discount if she agreed to before and after photographs of her breasts being published on the internet, and was even told that if she had the breast enlargement it would increase her chances of finding a boyfriend," says CHOICE spokesperson Christopher Zinn.
Though, in 1999, an inquiry recommended strict regulations for cosmetic surgery practice, they were hardly adopted.
An associate and Professor at Sydney University, Merrilyn Walton, said: “I think the government, until there is some catastrophe, is probably going to think, well let it sort itself out, but it won't.”
The most shocking revelation was that none of the doctors could adequately explain about the associated dangers like leakage and scarring. This was expected, as about 1000 so-called cosmetic surgeons in Australia are, in fact, general practitioners, just the fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons such as plastic surgeons.
CHOICE advises potential customers to do proper research about doctor’s credibility and risks before considering surgery.
