Your Guide to Finding a Trusted Plastic Surgeon in the UK

Why your choice of surgeon matters

Not all surgeons have the same level of training, experience or commitment to patient care. The impact of surgery can last a lifetime, which is why it’s so important to spend time researching and considering your options.

The surgeon you select influences every aspect of your cosmetic surgery experience. Their qualifications determine their technical skill and understanding of anatomy. Their experience shapes their ability to handle complications and achieve consistent results. Their approach to patient care affects how supported you feel throughout your recovery.

When looking for a cosmetic surgeon, it’s important to prioritise the quality of your surgeon over the cost. The savings you might make by choosing a cheaper surgeon can quickly be swallowed up by the costs of revision surgeries or treating complications. Here are a few tips and some things to look out for when you start to research how to find a plastic surgeon you can trust.

How to research potential surgeons in the UK

It’s relatively easy these days to research potential surgeons. Searching online should show up any causes for concern, but try to dig a little deeper if you can.

What qualifications should a surgeon have?

In order to practise as a surgeon in the UK, individuals are required to the following: 

• Complete a medical degree followed by Foundation training and a Junior Surgeon post.
• Undertake up to six years of specialist surgical training to become fully qualified.

General Medical Council registration

Any surgeon that carries out cosmetic surgery must also  be registered with the GMC (General Medical Council). The surgeons are individually registered and are provided with a GMC number that you can research on their website. A top quality clinic, such as those belonging to the Enhance Medical Group, will only ever employ surgeons with all the necessary qualifications, and a wealth of successful procedures behind them.

What other professional memberships should I look for?

Many surgeons are also members of professional bodies, which can be a good way to gauge their level of experience and their standing in the industry. The sort of professional bodies you should look for include:

• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
• The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS)

How important is a surgeon’s experience?

When choosing a cosmetic surgeon, look for someone who regularly performs the specific procedure you’re interested in. A surgeon who performs dozens of procedures annually will have refined their technique and encountered a wide range of variations and challenges.

You should consider the following: 

• Do they have experience performing the type of procedure you want? Think about the size and type of implants (for breast surgery), the incision sites and the patients they typically treat.
• Do they have examples of previous procedures? Before and after photos of previous patients give you a good idea of the results you can expect.

Before and after photos

At this stage in your search, anyone you’re still considering should be qualified and experienced in the procedure you want. They should also have visual evidence of previous surgeries they have performed.

Taking before and after photos is an important part of the whole process. They provide evidence of the surgeon’s skill and the kind of outcome you can expect. They can also help you make informed decisions about your procedure.

At Enhance Medical Group, we maintain comprehensive before and after galleries showcasing our surgeons’ work across different procedures. A reputable surgeon will show you before and after pictures and discuss your goals and what you can realistically achieve during the consultation.

Review referrals and testimonials

The internet is flooded with images and stories of successful surgeries. Men and women are always keen to show off their results, good or bad. Use this to your advantage, but don’t rely on it as your only source of information.

If you get the opportunity to speak to former patients of the surgeon you are planning to use, don’t hold back. Use it as an opportunity to ask as many questions as you need, and you should get the help you need when looking for a plastic surgeon you can trust. 

Patient stories like Maddie’s journey offer valuable perspective on what to expect throughout the process.

Check the clinic

Your surgeon works within a facility, and the clinic’s standards directly impact your safety and experience. Before committing to any procedure, it’s essential to verify that the clinic meets appropriate regulatory requirements and maintains high standards of care.

A reputable clinic will be transparent about their registrations, inspections and the qualifications of all staff members. This information should be readily available on their website or provided upon request.

How to check the credentials of clinics in the UK

England: Care quality commission (CQC) registration

CQC registration confirms that a clinic in England maintains appropriate facilities and equipment, follows proper infection control protocols, has emergency procedures in place, keeps accurate patient records, and provides staff with appropriate training and supervision.

Any clinic belonging to the Enhance Medical Group is a member of the Care Quality Commission.

Wales: Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) registration 

If you’re considering cosmetic surgery in Wales, your chosen clinic should be registered with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). HIW is the independent inspectorate and regulator of healthcare in Wales, responsible for ensuring that NHS and independent healthcare providers meet essential standards of quality and safety.

HIW registration confirms that a clinic maintains appropriate facilities and equipment, follows proper infection control protocols, has emergency procedures in place, keeps accurate patient records, and provides staff with appropriate training and supervision.

Scotland: Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) registration 

For those considering cosmetic surgery in Scotland, your chosen clinic should be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). HIS is Scotland’s national healthcare improvement organisation, responsible for inspecting and regulating independent healthcare services to ensure they meet essential quality and safety standards.

HIS registration confirms that a clinic maintains appropriate facilities and equipment, follows proper infection control protocols, has emergency procedures in place, keeps accurate patient records, and provides staff with appropriate training and supervision.

Can I visit the clinic?

Yes, you should absolutely be able to visit the clinic prior to your surgery. It’s important that you get the opportunity to meet the team, including the surgeon, and see the facilities before committing to any procedure. Choosing a UK-based clinic makes this much easier than travelling abroad for surgery.

The trend to travel abroad and ‘make a holiday’ out of your surgery has really taken off. Celebrities and influencers alike are singing the praises of clinics in sunnier climes. The cost is generally lower, and you get some sun on your skin, however, this is not necessarily the best option for everyone. Read our ‘should I get a boob job abroad’ blog to learn more about this.

Visiting the clinic is much easier if your clinic is within daily commuting distance. This gives you the opportunity to see the facilities and meet the team. It also means that any follow-up appointments are easy to keep. You will be able to determine whether or not the clinic is suitable for your requirements, something that would be very difficult if you had to travel abroad.

What should I look for when researching clinics online?

When looking for a clinic online, there are a few things to consider:

• Where is the clinic? Travelling too far for surgery can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and expensive. We have clinics throughout the UK, take a look at our locations to find one local to you. 
• Are their surgeons named on the website? Multiple surgeons usually operate at each clinic. You should be able to read more about each surgeon’s qualifications and experience and see examples of their work.

Another great source of information is a clinic’s social media feed. All reputable clinics have one, as it can be a very effective way to showcase their work. Here you can read patient testimonials and even contact previous patients to find out more about their experience. Take a look at our Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook pages.

Book a consultation

Once you find two or three surgeons who are registered with the GMC and have experience in the type of surgery you are looking for, you can get in touch to arrange a consultation.

Most reputable clinics, including Enhance Medical Group, offer free initial consultations to help you make an informed decision about your surgery.

What should I expect from a consultation?

The consultation is your opportunity to meet the surgeon, see the facilities and determine whether the clinic is suitable for your requirements. Spend time with the surgeon and their team prior to committing to anything. Make sure they understand what you want the results to be, and be sure to listen to what they tell you is achievable.

What questions should I ask?

We recommend you take a list of questions with you to the consultation. You can then compare the answers against those you receive from other surgeons to help you decide who you feel the most confident with.

Questions you may want to ask include:

• How many times has the surgeon performed the procedure before?
• What happens before, during and after the procedure?
• What happens if the results of the procedure do not match your expectations?
• What are the possible risks, side effects and complications and how likely are they?
• What type of implants do they use and why? (for breast surgery)
• How big and visible are the scars?
• What does aftercare include and do I have to pay extra?
• How long will it take to recover?
• What happens if something goes wrong?
• What is the full cost of the surgery, including aftercare, and what happens if you need follow-up treatments?

If the surgeon takes their time with you, provides comprehensive answers to all your questions and is realistic about the outcome of the procedure, you could have found your surgeon. However, do not rush into a decision. We’d always advise you to take some time after the consultation to consider all your options before paying any money or committing to surgery. Read our ‘what to expect during a breast enlargement consultation’ blog to find out more. 

Choose an experienced surgeon at Enhance Medical Group

When you embark upon your cosmetic surgery journey, it’s vital that your expectations match the reality of what can be achieved. It’s just as important that you feel confident and comfortable with the surgeon and all the support staff. Do your research and don’t go ahead with anything until you are completely satisfied with all the information you have gathered.

Take your time deciding what is best for you and your lifestyle. We are all individuals, and your surgery will be unique to you. So research, plan and prepare before you take the plunge. You’ll be glad you did.

Our surgeons are highly qualified and fully licensed, and many are specialists in their specific procedures. Find out more about breast surgery, body contouring surgery and face surgery at the Enhance Medical Group, and book your free consultation today.

At Enhance Medical Group, our experienced surgeons specialise in cosmetic procedures that deliver natural-looking results with comprehensive aftercare support. For more information about choosing the right surgeon and the consultation process, book a consultation with our team to discuss your aesthetic goals.