Welcome to the first of my weekly blogs which I hope will educate you and provide you with useful information when considering cosmetic surgery.

The title "The Fountain of Youth" was chosen because we know the fountain is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks its waters.  With the explosion of the digital era there are now a number of cosmetic surgery websites that are presented as if they are a fountain of youth and a number of medical practitioners who claim to be Plastic Surgeons.

I thought that the first blog entry would be best served to explain who really is a bona fide Plastic Surgeon and why this is important to you if you are considering a cosmetic surgical procedure. "Who is a Plastic Surgeon and Why is this Important?" With the increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery over the past decade it has become increasingly difficult and sometimes confusing for patients to identify a properly trained Plastic Surgeon.

Cosmetic procedures both surgical and non surgical broadly encompass the face, neck, breast, body and limbs.  As the diversity of cosmetic procedures has increased so has the diversity of practitioners offering them.  Cosmetic surgery initially was the domain of Plastic Surgeons but as cosmetic surgery has become more popular, so have the number of practitioners claiming to be Cosmetic Surgeons or Plastic Surgeons.

Have they performed the training required to label themselves as Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeons? In New Zealand bona fide Plastic Surgeons hold a standard medical degree and then have undertaken four years of supervised training under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and have passed vigorous testing both in exams and technical ability before being allowed to call themselves a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.  Plastic and Reconstructive surgery is the only surgical training scheme to formally include cosmetic surgery in its training. Accordingly, all trained Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons are well versed in cosmetic surgical and non surgical procedures that have proven outcomes and desirable results. There are a number of pseudo-Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeons/Practitoners  who have jumped on the plastic and cosmetic surgery band wagon who offer limited cosmetic surgical and non surgical procedures. 

These practitioners may be Surgeons from other specialities, non surgical skin specialists, general GP's without any specific surgical training or even medical spa nurses without on-site medical supervision. The only way to be certain that your Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeon is formerly qualified as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is to check for the FRACS  (Plastic and Reconstructive) on their certificate of qualification or you can go to the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons website www.NZAPS.co.nz and search for your specific surgeon. By choosing a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon for your cosmetic needs you will receive a professional educated discussion offering you an informed choice of the best procedure from a wide range of potential options. 

Unfortunately, the internet is full of cosmetic surgery websites that are glossy and glamorous and without the correct information about the practitioner performing your procedure, you may get a less than desirable outcome. In the cosmetic surgery market place the potential patient needs to be aware and well informed, I hope this initial blog has been helpful to guide you towards choosing your Cosmetic Surgeon and ultimately achieve your cosmetic surgery goals.

If you have any specific requests regarding cosmetic surgery topics that you would like discussed in this blog, please feel free to email me: chris@breast-body.co.nz


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