Aesthetic surgery has come a long way in the decades since it first became popular. Not only have plastic surgery techniques advanced in sophistication, safety and affordability, but both men and women have also become much more comfortable with the idea of enhancing or maintaining their appearance via plastic surgery.

While many people spend a lot of time thinking about the procedure and the potential outcome, choosing a plastic surgeon is often left to chance. In fact it is the single most important decision you will make throughout your plastic surgery journey. Once you’ve decided on a procedure you’re interested in, selecting the right surgeon to perform it is essential.

Make sure they have FRCS (Plast) after their name.

*FRCS Plast is the UK certification of plastic surgery training, qualification and entry to the specialist register.

Before you go through the process of scheduling a consultation, you'll want to check to see if the surgeon in question has the proper credentials. Medical credentials can often be confusing if you're unfamiliar with the jargon, so it's helpful to know what to look for.

All medical doctors have to be registered with the General Medical Council. You can easily check the online register using their name- this medical register shows the type of registration a doctor holds and their training. Surgeons will additionally have the qualification from the Royal college of surgeons of England, Ireland, or Scotland. All are equally valid and high calibre but if they are not FRCS Plast, they are not plastic surgeons.

In the UK’s unregulated market, anyone can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon and too many untrained doctors with an interest in plastic surgery or minimal experience like to pass themselves off as plastic surgeons. It’s incredibly depressing to see.

You might also want to check if the surgeon is a member of a plastic oriented professional association - for example, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or the International association of plastic surgeons (ISAPS) or the American association of plastic surgeons (ASPS). The various organisations offer different support and benefits and Plastic surgeons can pick and choose which, if any, organisation suits their needs. Members of Plastic surgery associations are rigorously vetted so you can be sure they are motivated and that they have relevant experience and insurance to perform your procedure. Some organisations also allow non plastic surgeons to join, so again look out for FRCS Plast.

Finally, check if the clinic is CQC registered - all clinics that provide aesthetic surgery in the UK should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Sadly this does not apply to non-surgical but risky procedures such as Botox or fillers.

These credentials are important markers of credibility and integrity. They signal you can trust the surgeon in question to be highly trained and qualified to perform your procedure. This aspect is especially crucial in light of the fact that many untrained doctors call themselves "cosmetic surgeons" or ”cosmetic doctors” these days.

Find someone trustworthy

Much like finding the right family doctor or personal trainer, it may take a few tries before you meet a surgeon you feel comfortable enough to trust. When you find a surgeon that you connect with, you'll be able to feel more confident about your surgery and you'll be able to have open honest and important discussions about aesthetic goals, lifestyle, overall health and any questions or concerns that you might have.

Moreover, do keep in mind that it does not fall within the duties of the plastic surgeon to always tell you what you want to hear. The best surgeons will give you honest, straightforward guidance on the best approach to your situation and the realistic results you can expect.

Choose a surgeon whose aesthetic sense appeals to you

In addition to training and medical knowledge, cosmetic plastic surgery requires an aesthetic sensibility as well. Because every human body is unique, the "best" plastic surgeon for a breast augmentation, for example, is much more likely to be one whose style of work is in line with your aesthetic goals and who can tailor a treatment to your unique situation to meet those goals. Think of them as artists, do you want Pablo Picasso or Jackson Pollock?

This is one reason why you can't trust your search engine to select for you by simply typing in phrases like "the best plastic surgeons near me" and choose the top result.

Plenty of impressive before-and-after photos

Testimonials and reviews are great but they are personal opinions of a subjective experience. Before-and-after photos serve as evidence of a surgeon’s aesthetic and ability to create attractive and natural-looking plastic surgery results that appeal to YOU.. A before-and-after photo gallery full of great photos in a diverse group is often a strong indicator that a surgeon can deliver the quality results you’re looking for. This will also give you perspective into the surgeon’s aesthetic approach so you can make sure it aligns with your vision for your results.

Looking through real patient photos and noting your favourite cases or ones you have questions about is a great step to take before you meet with a surgeon for a personal consultation.

We are hoping these tips will help you find a qualified plastic surgeon who will do a great job, but your relationship with the surgeon and how his or her staff interact with you will have a tremendous impact on your experience and outcome.

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