Plastic surgery lottery: "It shouldn't be you!"

British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons Says Gimmick "Plumbs New Depths"

08 January 2007 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2019 13:14)

London - 8 January, 2007 - The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, today condemned a new 'monthly cosmetic super draw' in which UK contestants can win aesthetic surgery procedures to be performed in Prague.

According to Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and President of the BAAPS;

“I am appalled at this new scheme but unfortunately not surprised. Companies are plumbing new depths to take advantage of a growing interest in plastic surgery by launching unscrupulous marketing gimmicks which violate not only an established code of ethics where financial and date-linked incentives are prohibited, but also common sense.”

The Association has also expressed deep concern at the hype-filled process involved in winning such a prize: the public is meant to phone in or text for the opportunity to win, with no medical history taken or suitability evaluated. Once the winner is announced, the prospective patient meets with 'directors' (not the surgeon) with only 'photos sent to the experts in Prague' before being flown there for the operation.

According to Douglas McGeorge;

“I find it atrocious that patients are filtered through sales advisors and marketers who obviously have a vested interest . I would question whether the public are really giving informed consent if they haven't even met the practitioner in person.”

According to Adam Searle, former President of the BAAPS;

“The offer of a cosmetic surgery procedure as a prize is an awful manifestation of the trivialisation of medical care in general, and aesthetic surgery in particular. Any patient making irreversible decisions in circumstances of hype, excitement and emotion, are putting themselves at very great risk. Any normal patient - doctor relationship is completely abandoned in any such framework of medical care. This is a practice I unreservedly and utterly condemn.”

ENDS

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia   and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

View other press releases