Cosmetic surgery in the spotlight

Leading London plastic surgeon

To many, Love Island isn’t just a guilty pleasure but actually a highly damaging blight on TV, fuelling a rise in body anxiety in young people. And now presenter Caroline Flack has decided to lean into the controversy further with the announcement of her latest TV venture, a C4 show called The Surjury.

Each episode will see a cash-strapped individual plead their cosmetic surgery case to ‘the jury’. If three-fourths of the jury approves, they will be given the funding to undergo surgery. The pitch from Channel 4 states: “From bum-lifts to nose jobs, sculpted abs to breast enlargements, The Surjury allows people to explore their choices more thoroughly.”

When the concept of the show came under fire for glorifying plastic surgery and trivialising life-changing decisions, a Channel 4 rep claimed: “Rather than wag a disapproving finger, this new series looks at who wants it, and why – and allows those who make a strong enough case to their peers, to undergo the procedure of their choice.”

The question of whether the producers of The Surjury follow the maxim that all publicity is good publicity and are therefore just revelling in the media attention will be answered when it is shown early next year. As leading London plastic surgeon Mr Alex Karidis explains: “Whenever anyone makes a programme, the aim of the producers is always viewership so it’s not surprising that they are trying to drum up interest by taking the most controversial angle.

“Until we know the actual format then we won’t know if it will really be as blatant in trivialising cosmetic surgery. However, the basic premise does seem suspect as to how does a TV show judge the worthiness of a cosmetic surgery patient?

“As trained and ethical plastic surgeons, we balance the mental health element with the physical aspect in the pursuit of patient safety.”

The ideal cosmetic surgery patient: fully informed with realistic expectations

Cosmetic surgery has become widespread and much more accepted in recent years, particularly among younger men and women who are much more aware of what cosmetic surgery can achieve. Rather than something private and hidden, the reality stars and social media influencers they follow are now open about going under the knife or needle.

So, how should cosmetic surgery be presented in the media? BBC Three has recently started showing a plastic surgery programme, Plastic Surgery Undressed, that claims to take a more factual approach. The programme is in response to new figures that claim half of all Brits aged 18 to 34 are considering an aesthetic enhancement and it aims to “give viewers information and facts about some of Britain’s most talked about cosmetic procedures.”

Each episode will follow four people considering having the same procedure and they will have a chance to watch their procedure being performed live at a nearby hospital by a leading plastic surgeon on a pre-existing patient. Negatives and positives of cosmetic surgery will be discussed by the group, with audience members who have had similar procedures offering their own experiences.

It is essential that a prospective patient is fully informed about the procedure they are considering and they will now find that information from a myriad of sources, including TV, social media and the internet. Keeping an open mind while doing your research is important and having a consultation with a reputable and experienced plastic surgeon is a must.

They will listen to what you’re hoping to achieve and then can offer expert, unbiased advice on your cosmetic surgery options. This means covering the potential risks as well as the benefits, so you’re fully informed before you make the decision to go ahead. To arrange a consultation with either of our plastic surgeons Mr Alex Karidis or Mr Mark Ho-Asjoe, call us on 020 3811 5982.