You’ve finally saved up enough money, and decided to take the plunge for that long-awaited operation and you’re looking for a surgeon you can depend on, so how do you avoid falling into the bad surgeon trap?

The General Medical Council’s (GMC) specialist plastic surgery register includes the names of all surgeons in the country who have received six years of training in plastic surgery over and above their general training. The list is available from the GMC, 178 Great Portland Street, London W1, telephone 020 7915 3638, or through a search on their website, www.gmc-uk.org.

The British Association of Plastic Surgery (BAPS), part of the Royal College of Surgeons, has 225 members, all of whom are on the GMC register and who regularly perform plastic surgery operations. You can contact BAPS on 020 7831 5161, or visit the website www.baps.co.uk, but it’s worth noting that although they are qualified to do so, many BAPS members do not perform cosmetic surgery, preferring to concentrate on regenerative or other plastic surgery. It is also worthwhile to note that members of BAPS who specialise in or perform cosmetic surgery are registered with the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

You can contact the BAAPS on 020 7405 2234, or via the website www.baaps.org.uk.

If your surgeon is a member of any of these organisations or registers mentioned above, they are fully qualified to perform plastic surgery, including laser surgery, liposuction, breast and face proceedures. Highly qualified plastic surgeons usually have the letters FRCS and PLAS after their names, to indicate that they are members of the Royal College of Surgeons and specialists in Plastic Surgery.

BAAPS recommends that one of the best places to start looking for a good plastic surgeon is with your GP, who should recommend and refer you to a registered plastic surgeon.

According to BAAPS, be very cautious and wary if you don’t see your surgeon before the operation. Sales advisors and representatives are not qualified to speak to you about the medical implications of your surgery.

Going under the knife for a plastic surgery procedure is a serious undertaking, and you want to be sure you’re getting the best professional service on offer.

Make sure you’re in the know. Ask until you are satisfied with the information given to you. After all, you deserve to be in good hands.