Plastic surgery gets its name from the Greek word 'plastikos', which means 'to mould'. It's about changing the appearance.

It can include everything from burns surgery and skin grafts to breast cancer reconstruction.

The term cosmetic surgery means medically unnecessary surgical procedures, to improve physical appearance.

The two can work together. For example you may decide to have your eyelids lifted and the cosmetic reason is that you want to improve the appearance, but the medical part might be that they are so heavy they've reduced your vision.

Attitudes to cosmetic surgery have changed over the last decade and as a result, more people than ever before are choosing surgery to improve their looks.

The number of people having cosmetic surgery in the UK has increased more than two-fold since 2001. According to research, almost 700,000 cosmetic surgery procedures will take place in Britain this year.

Most patients are women, but a growing number of men are choosing treatments such as eyelid lifts.

Cosmetic surgery can be life changing. Many people feel more confident to go on holiday, buy new clothes and join a gym because of a new look.

Some of the most popular treatments are: breast augmentation, the tummy tuck, liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose job) and facelifts.

Don't gamble on cheap cosmetic surgery. Any doctor can practise cosmetic surgery with no specific training or experience, so make sure you check qualifications.

A qualified plastic surgeon will have passed the FRCS (Plast), the only special exam in plastic surgery, and they should be on the General Medical Council specialist register as a plastic surgeon.

They should also be a member of The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). You can search for an accredited surgeon on their website, www.baaps.org.uk.

Make sure you can have a consultation with the surgeon who will be performing on you.

Find out what the surgeon's specialism is and look carefully at their results. Ask about how many similar operations they've performed.

The surgeon should be someone you feel comfortable with and can trust.

Don't feel rushed or pressured into making a decision – a good surgeon should let you decide in your own time.

To find out more about the treatments offered at Sandon House visit www.sandonhouseclinic.co.uk or call 01772 663977.

Click on the green video icon above right to view the video.
GET IN TOUCH

• Tell us something you'd like to learn?


• Recommend an expert to us.


• Become an 'expert' yourself.


• Email: josie.hill@lep.co.uk < mailto:josie.hill@lep.co.uk> or call 01772 838104


• Or write to: Josie Hill, Lancashire Evening Post Ltd, Oliver's Place, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9ZA