Five Questions to Ask Before Considering Cosmetic Surgery

SAMPLE content — pending official materials from the Association. This is a layout demonstration article; the official article is pending contributions from Association members.

Five questions to ask yourself and your doctor (sample highlights)

1. Who is performing the operation, and what are their qualifications? Surgery should be performed by a registered medical practitioner with the relevant training; you are entitled to ask about a doctor's professional qualifications and registration status.
2. What are the risks and complications of this operation? All surgery carries risk — anaesthesia, infection, scarring, results falling short of expectations. Your doctor has a duty to explain these clearly beforehand.
3. Are there non-surgical alternatives? Many concerns can be addressed in more than one way, each with pros and cons; understand them all before deciding.
4. Where will the surgery take place, and what happens if something goes wrong? Facilities and equipment, emergency arrangements and follow-up care are all part of safety.
5. Are my expectations realistic? Surgery can change appearance, but it will not solve every problem; an honest conversation with your doctor about expectations is key to satisfaction.

Informed consent is not "just signing a form"

Informed consent is a process: you should have enough time to understand the information, ask questions and consider your options — not sign on the spot under sales pressure. If you feel rushed, ask for time to think, or seek a second opinion.

A gentle reminder

Be wary of any medical procedure marketed with "limited-time offers" pushing you to commit on the spot. Medical decisions deserve time; if in doubt, consult a registered medical practitioner.