What implications come with undergoing cosmetic surgery, and how can you avoid getting an unsatisfactory result? Mr Gary Ross spoke to Metro newspaper about mental health and cosmetic procedures, indicating that patient suitability and surgeon selection should be at the forefront of any responsible decision. The article appeared online and was a trending article on the health section for a week.
Read the full article here.
Mr Gary Ross, who consults from the BMI The Alexendra Hospital in Cheadle, sys he’s seen a rise in the number of women asking for corrective surgery after undergoing unsatisfactory treatments elsewhere.
Mummy makeovers, breast and body rejuvenation surgery led the way in 2017 according to plastic surgeon Mr Gary Ross.
Providing a yearly review, he also noted that non-surgical anti ageing treatments had also seen a surge on popularity.
A GRANDFATHER-of-four who lost skin from half his head through cancer has issued a warning over safety in the sun.
Alun Smith, 85, bravely shared pictures showing the extent of his basal cell carcinoma (BCC) which cost him a dinner-plate sized section of his head, as well as his left ear.
Alun, from Mold in North Wales, warned attitudes towards tanning were creating generations of people who may find themselves struck down with skin cancer in later life.
BCC is the commonest form of skin skin cancer. Although aggressive BCCs are rare, careful skin surveillance is required for them to be picked up early.
The most common cause of BCC is exposure to the sun.
Alun said that while he has always covered up while holidaying with his family, he neglected to wear a sun hat in his younger years.
The dad-of-two suspects exposure to the sun during his national service in Singapore 65 years ago may have been the root cause of the damage.
He said: “My doctors suspect I may have got it all that time ago but it lay dormant for many, many years.
“I don’t sunbathe, I’ve never done it. But when I was doing national service I would never bother with hats. As I got older I would always wear hats when we took the children on holiday, as that would encourage them to wear them.
“The thing is with skin cancer, you’re more vulnerable in your younger years.”
“If I saw a family on the beach now I would go and tell them. Young children are very, very susceptible and you should always cover them up.
“I don’t think the sun does you any good. You see tourists in Spain and they just don’t seem to realise the damage it can do. We’ve been indoctrinated to think tans look better. You see people on TV who have deep tans, and you just don’t need it.”
Alun’s ordeal started when he found a small lump on the side of his head, which he had inspected by a dermatologist.
He explained: “It started off as a little thing on the side of my face. No exaggerating, it was a quarter the size of my little fingernail.
“In lots of skin cancer cases you have a job seeing it. The dermatologist had two or three goes but discovered it was bigger than he first thought, and wasn’t able to get it all.
“After they cut it out they did a biopsy and found it was cancerous.”
Alun then underwent MOHS surgery, which involves taking out the cancer cells while trying to spare the healthy surrounding tissue.
Alun was then referred to Gary Ross, a specialist cosmetic and plastic surgeon based in Manchester.
Mr Ross put together a crack team of specialists to rid Alun of the cancer for good. If left, it threatened to spread into his nose, eye, and even deeper towards his brain.
Alun said: “The specialists sat me down and told me the bad news. They said the previous treatments hadn’t got it all and they wanted to take my left eye and my left ear.
“I told them I wasn’t bothered about my ear, but I was quite keen on my eye.
“I was surprised. All of this came from absolutely nothing.”
Businessman Alun underwent a lengthy procedure which involved moving tissue from his cheek and scalp in order to reconstruct the defect.
A large piece of skin was also taken from his thigh and placed onto the left side of his head.
The procedure was a complete success, with all traces of the cancerous cells removed. He now has a prosthetic ear which is held onto his head by two metal clips.
Alun said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Mr Ross. He saved my life, without a doubt.
“People always ask me what it’s like but quite honestly I forget about it most of the time. It doesn’t bother me at all.
“I don’t look in the mirror and think ‘Oh Christ, I need to go out and buy a wig’. I suppose I could shave the rest of my hair off, but it doesn’t bother me one bit. And other people don’t seem to notice, either.
“To look at me, you would never know my ear was prosthetic.
“It can make quite a talking point at dinner parties.”
Alun still regularly returns to the Christie Hospital in Manchester for check-ups, and to have any new skin lesions that appear on his face removed.
BCC usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance.
It can also look like a red, scaly patch and occasionally some brown or black pigment within the patch. The lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer.
My Ross, who works from BMI Alexandria in Cheadle and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, said: “Incidence of skin cancer have been steadily growing over the past decade.
“This shows just how important it is to be well educated and aware of the dangers of exposure to the sun.
“Surgery is often the best way to treat skin cancer and in Alun’s case, a significant procedure was the only option.
“We combined oncological, reconstructive and aesthetic elements to do extensive work specifically tailored to Alun.
“Stories such as Alun’s are an inspiration to other patients. Combining flaps, grafts and prosthetics can often give back patients a great quality of life and replace what has been taken away.
“This case highlights the importance of utilising the skills of different surgeons from different disciplines to obtain the optimal outcomes.
“I’m really pleased Alun’s surgery was such a success and he continues to remain fit and healthy – even enjoying rounds on the golf course.”
Last month Mr Ross became the first plastic surgeon to be officially certified under a prestigious new scheme designed to boost patient safety.
He has been certified by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) professional standards system, which sets-out tough industry benchmarks to help provide quality assurances for any patients looking to undergo a cosmetic procedure.
Mr Ross has a specialist interest in skin cancer, skin oncology and reconstructive options to obtain the optimal results for patients.
Mr Ross was asked by Channel 5 to consult with a patient wishing to have buttock augmentation. In this consultation that was performed live at the BMI Alexandra, without financial incentive, preparation or having previously met, Mr Ross explains the limitations of buttock augmentation to a patient wishing to have a procedure that would involve considerable risk.
Mr Ross has seen a rise in the number of consultations by patients wishing to obtain an unnatural look and a rise in patients with unrealistic expectations.
“It is always difficult to explain to a patient what the pros and cons and risks of a procedure are when patients only want to have an end result that they have set their heart on”
The popularisation of TV reality/drama shows in which cosmetic procedures are glamorised combined with the explosion of social media has led to a concerning growth in sensationalised plastic surgery. “Plastic Fantastic” and the false impression of the transformative powers of cosmetic surgery is a concern for patient safety.
“Popular Media has created a culture where cosmetic treatments are seen as common. Some patients wish to surpass this to stand out and be noticed, endangering themselves, and are unable to comprehend the complications and risks in either the short or long term. “
The cosmetic industry continues to grow. In order to protect patient’s interests, there has been an increased focus on regulation of the industry. Patients need to consult with surgeons that can provide all the information in an open, honest, transparent and non-judgemental fashion so that patients can be empowered to proceed or not.
“As a surgeon, being able to tell a patient that you will not provide the surgery they wish for and that their expectations are unrealistic is incredibly difficult. One does not wish to deflate patients who have an inherent vulnerability but at the same time provide them with enough information that they can make an informed decision”
Sadly there are unscrupulous surgeons that will offer patients surgery regardless of risk.
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), the General Medical Council, The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the major providers of cosmetic surgery, and professional bodies representing surgeons in the cosmetic sector have all acknowledged the need for improved cosmetic surgery safety to protect vulnerable patients.
The RCS certification scheme now allows patient’s access to those surgeons that have met the professional standards of the RCS. Mr Ross was the first cosmetic surgeon to be certified by the RCS in cosmetic surgery in June 2017.
The cosmetic industry continues to grow. In order to protect patient’s interests, there has been an increased focus on regulation of the industry and the effect of popular culture on body image.
With the explosion of social media, there appears to be a rapid increase in appearance relating postings that often promote unrealistic messages. Sadly the media does not provide balanced views on what is considered physically normal or beautiful and creates the impression that cosmetic procedures are now common or normal. This may influence patients to proceed with treatments without considering the risks. With aggressive advertising and marketing and increasing demand, it is unclear whether patients are able to make an informed choice.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has recently published a wide-ranging new report, Cosmetic procedures: ethical issues recommending that “social media companies collaborate to carry out independent research to better understand how social media contributes to appearance anxiety, and to act on the findings”.
The Keogh report in 2013 highlighted “Advertising and marketing can have a legitimate role in that they provide information and raise awareness of the choice of providers available. However, they can also play a negative role particularly if they trivialise the risks of procedures, target vulnerable consumers, or mislead by portraying an outcome that may not be attainable for many.”
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) require marketing communications to be “legal, decent, honest and truthful” and “prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society”.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has recommended that the “ASA and CAP should prohibit advertising that is likely to create body confidence issues or cause pressure to conform to unrealistic or unhealthy body shapes. The ASA should work proactively to monitor compliance with such standards. “
The use of financial inducements and time-limited deals to promote cosmetic interventions should be prohibited to avoid inappropriate influencing of vulnerable consumers.
The Nuffield Council also called on the Government to fully implement recommendations made by the Keogh report in 2013 so the public can be assured that those providing cosmetic procedures, the places where they are carried out, and the products used are all properly regulated.
The Keogh Review, GMC and Nuffield Council have recommended patients must be fully informed to proceed and should undergo a detailed consent process with the provision of sufficient information to allow them to be empowered to make this decision. The consent process must be with the surgeon carrying out the procedure.
The certification system recently introduced by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) will allow patients and providers reassurance that the surgeons carrying out cosmetic surgery have the necessary training and expertise. The RCS certification system is now open and Mr Ross has become the first cosmetic surgeon in the UK to certify in cosmetic surgery.
You can listen to the BBC radio blog below.
Mr Ross, who operates out of the BMI Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle and the Christie Clinic in Withington, has been rubber-stamped by the Royal College Of Surgeons (RCS) Professional Standards system.
Launched in April last year, it sets-out tough industry benchmarks to help provide quality assurances for any patients looking to undergo a cosmetic procedure.
And now Mr Ross, an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, is urging other surgeons to become approved themselves as he looks to safeguard the vulnerable.
Mr Ross, who recently appeared on BBC series Holding Back The Years, said: “A patient needs to have the utmost trust in the medical practitioner helping them.
“In an industry becoming increasingly tarnished by the actions of those who place profit above patient wellbeing, safeguards and checks to protect the vulnerable have never been more important.
“Which is why the new certification system launched by The Royal College of Surgeons – brought in to protect the cosmetic surgery industry and to guide patients in their life-changing choices – could prove to be one of the greatest steps forward yet, for all concerned.
“For me personally, it is an honour to be the first surgeon to have certified in cosmetic surgery through the RCS process, and I see this as a significant advance in patient care that will improve the reputation of the profession for years to come.”
Approved surgeons will be listed on the RCS website and acknowledged as highly capable in their defined areas of specialism.
It’s hoped patients will then be able to browse the RCS list and choose a surgeon who’s at the cutting edge of their chosen profession.
Mr Ross, an expert in so-called ‘mum tum’ abdominoplasty procedures and innovative fat-transfer breast augmentation operations, had to prove his competence in breast surgery, surgery of the face, nose, periorbital region and ears, body contouring surgery, and body contouring following massive weight loss,.
He explained: “In order to certify through the RCS scheme, I have provided evidence of my training, experience, and outcomes.
“I’ve provided reflection on difficult cases and showed through appraisal, revalidation, and through patient and colleague feedback, that I meet the professional standards that would be expected of a cosmetic surgeon.
“Every cosmetic surgeon should certify through the RCS – and that this should become mandatory – to safeguard patients form both physical and psychological harm.”
Stephen Cannon, Vice President of the RCS and Chair of the Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialty Committee, said ‘unscrupulous’ surgeons needed to be curbed.
He commented: “Our professional standards for cosmetic surgery, coupled with the GMC’s new guidance, will raise the bar and make absolutely clear what we expect of all surgeons working in the private sector.
“We will do everything in our powers to protect patients and to stop unscrupulous individuals from practising.”
The Royal College of Surgeons isn’t the only establishment seeking industry change.
Last month the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent body that examines and reports on ethical issues in biology and medicine, called for better regulation of the cosmetic industry, and also an outright ban on clinics offering ‘walk in’ procedures to young people.
Meanwhile former Health Secretary Lord Andrew Lansley, also last month successfully tabled a private members’ bill that, if passed, will enable the General Medical Council (GMC) to note on its medical register which surgeons have been awarded the RCS’ cosmetic surgery certification.
The Care Quality Commission will also take the RCS and GMC standards into account during hospital inspections and when making a judgement about the quality and safety of services being provided.
Mr Ross, aged 45, and who lives in Sale with his wife and two daughters, adds: “All of this underlines the value of the RCS certification system and I’d encourage every plastic and cosmetic surgeon to get involved in it to become regulated and certified.
“It’s what we all must strive for.”
The RCS certification for Mr Ross comes just weeks after he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the popular patient review website ‘I Want Great Care.’
It was a prize that acknowledged Mr Ross’s consistently high review scores throughout the year.
And Mr Ross is also the only UK plastic surgeon to be named in the Top 500 of the RealSelf patient review website for three consecutive years.
https://aestheticsjournal.com/news/first-surgeon-becomes-certified-by-rcs
https://www.imtj.com/news/rcs-cosmetic-surgery-certification/
Following on from appearances in the Mail Online and Mirror, Barbara Lewis was recently on BBC Radio Manchester. You can hear more about her story below:
If you’re curious about the procedures that Ms Lewis chose, you can find her eyelid rejuvenation and arm lift case studies by clicking on the links.
Ms Lewis also recently appeared in the following publications:
Manchester Evening News | Bury Times | The Bolton News | This is Lancashire
The Mail Online recently picked up a story about one of our patients, Barbara Lewis, who has recently started a modelling career following her fleur de lis abdominoplasty.
He advised her that the best way to sort her misshapen stomach was with a Fleur De Lis abdominoplasty – a specialism of Dr Ross – and the same procedure recently carried out on TV star Lisa Riley. The operation is designed for patients with a lot of excess skin and for those who have mid-line abdominal scarring they wish to get rid of. It involves making an incision just above the pubic area and drawing a vertical line down the middle of the abdomen, with skin being excised on either side of the triangle.
Click here to read the full article.
Mr Ross has been hitting the headlines again with the news that one of his patients has gone on to a modelling career.
A glamorous grandma is about to start a career in modelling at the age of 64 after undergoing so much cosmetic surgery she was scouted by modelling agents. Barbara Lewis from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, had a blepharoplasty, tummy tuck, and arm lift with leading plastic surgeon Dr Gary Ross.
Click here to read the full article.
