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It really depends on what
the surgery is, but in all
cases, the first person to
contact is the surgeon who
did your surgery. Do
not ignore problems,
because it could turn into
something more
serious.
Don't worry if they think
you are being picky, its
better to be safe than
sorry and any good surgeon
will try to put your mind
at rest.
Infections.
If you have an
infection, its generally
nothing the surgeon has
done that could cause it,
but you must advise him,
so he can prescribe
antibiotics and check on
your healing. If you
went overseas for surgery
and your surgeon is not in
a position to give you a
prescription, then he may
advise that you go to your
own GP.
Most GPs will not have a
problem with this, but
with the state of the NHS
at the moment, you might
get some flack for having
had private surgery and
gone overseas for it.
Don't be fobbed off,
you don't want it getting
any worse and having to go
to A&E.
One breast is
different to the other or
one side of my tummy tuck
is different.
Things need to
settle down before you can
really see if there is any
difference in the breasts,
arms, legs, side of face
etc. The surgeon may
have had to do more work
on one side than the other
and it could be taking
longer for the swelling to
go down. Most
surgeons will advise that
you need to leave things
to settle down for 6
months before the final
result can be seen.
If things are still
lopsided, then the surgeon
should agree to a re-do
for you. In the majority
of cases, it will be necessary to pay all
hospital fees for any corrections, but the
surgeon's fee is generally free. Also
take into account the cost of getting back
to your surgeon, if he was abroad.
Expectations.
So, the end result was not what you
expected. You need
to ask yourself if you
were being realistic in
the first place, or did
the surgeon do something
completely different to
what you asked?
Discuss it with the
surgeon and see what he
says. The problem is
that we have an idea in
our own mind, but the
surgeon might be on a
different planet
altogether when it comes
to trends, fashions or who
the film star is whose
nose you want.
If the end result is not
what you want, but the
surgery itself is not at
fault, i.e. the surgeon
did some good work, but
you just don't like it,
then you have to talk to
the surgeon and see if he
can do what you want and
see if you can agree to a
re-do at a discounted
price.
Its just bad work, he
nearly killed me.
This is
something completely
different and comes into
the category of medical
negligence. It is
really difficult to prove
medical negligence, so the
first thing you need to
do, is get a second
opinion from another
surgeon, who is willing to
put his name to a report
to say in his opinion
what
was wrong. It will
cost you a consultation
fee and if he agrees, a report
fee.
You then might be able to
get the original surgeon
to agree to correct the
problem if he knows that
you are willing to take
matters further. If
you have lost all
confidence in the original
surgeon, ask him to
appoint another surgeon to
carry out the surgery on
his behalf.
If the surgeon is at
fault and he can see that,
then he will probably try
to find a solution or
agree a one off payment to
settle the matter.
Most cases are
settled out of court as
this is cheaper for all
concerned and is not
registered with the GMC as
an action against the
surgeon (if he is
registered with them)
If you have got to this
stage and still making no
progress, what can you do
now? You need a
solicitor, but first think
if it would be cheaper to
pay for corrective surgery
yourself and avoid the
years of legal action that
could ensue and walk away,
or do you need to sue in
order to be able to afford
surgery, or to claim enough
money to cover for your
losses and/or
disfigurement.
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