When cosmetic surgery goes wrong it’s up to surgeons like Mr Park to correct the mistakes

Celebrity stories are big business in the world of mass media and the press love a good story about failed cosmetic surgery.

From celebrities such as Tara Reid showcasing her rather unfortunate breast augmentation, to entire TV series such as Botched illustrating some rather gruesome and peculiar failed operations, it is clear that mistakes do happen, and when they do, it’s a big problem for the patients involved.

The makers of the reality series Botched are now into a second season of trying to ‘remedy extreme plastic surgeries gone wrong’. From medical burns and bizarre looks following facelifts, to leaking lip fillers and overly large breast implants, once problems have been caused, it’s down to someone else more reputable to step in and fix the problem.

In the case of Tara Reid, the problems she faced have also been put down to the surgeon she chose. What a concerning prospect for patients who are considering going under the knife for an appearance changing operation. Trust in your cosmetic surgeon has to be one of the most important elements when deciding to undergo any type of operation, so stories such as this are worrying.

How to avoid problems like this

Here in the UK, it is important that you choose a reputable plastic surgeon and, helpfully, there are many things you can look out for that can help you make an informed decision.

The first place you should look is the surgeon’s website, where you’ll be able to see the qualifications and professional memberships held by the surgeon you’re considering. Mr Alan Park, for example, clearly displays his ‘postnominals’ at the top of his website, which indicates the level of qualifications held. In the case of Mr Alan Park, ‘F.R.C.S. (Plast)’ indicates that he holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, the professional membership organisation that governs, regulates and educates surgeons in the UK and Ireland.

It is also important to look for the logos – on the front page here you will see links to other regulatory and professional associations that Mr Park is associated with; the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).

If you have any concerns at all or wish to seek further reassurance, a quick call to any of these associations will validate membership held and will give the necessary guarantee that the surgeon you’re interested in is operating to a British approved standard of cosmetic surgery.