Myrl Jeffcoat myrlj@jps.net

17 mars, 2005 20:27

Plastic surgery TV shows panned by medics

6.59PM, Wed Mar 16 2005

TV programmes which focus on cosmetic surgery are doing no favours to the industry, according to leading medics.  It was claimed shows such as Nip/Tuck, a US drama about high-flying surgeons, and Cosmetic Surgery Live are only causing the public to be obsessed with making the body beautiful.  Martin Kelly, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital told a briefing that the majority of plastic surgery in Britain deals with repair and reconstruction of burns, birth defects and cancer injuries.  But the growing demand for voluntary cosmetic surgery such as Botox, breast implants and facelifts, means unsuitable surgeons are carrying out work, and the NHS has to repair the damage.

Mr Kelly said: The approach of the media fever and population interest in cosmetic surgery is such a high here that it does tend to draw some doctors who should not perhaps be in cosmetic surgery.  "We have to pick up the tab in the NHS."  "We do have concerns about the approach to cosmetic surgery."  Cosmetic surgery is on the rise as it becomes more affordable. 16,367 cosmetic procedures took place in 2004, compared to 10,738 in 2003, according to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.