Procedure guide · 6 min read
What to check before cosmetic surgery
Surgery — rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, a facelift — carries the highest stakes in private aesthetics. The reassuring news is that the most important checks are public and free. Here is what to confirm before you commit.
General information, not medical advice. Unmist does not assess your individual case or recommend any clinic or treatment. For a personal health concern, speak to a qualified professional or, if it is urgent, your GP or NHS 111.
Section 01
The surgeon’s GMC registration and specialist status
Confirm the surgeon’s name on the GMC register (gmc-uk.org). Then check whether they are on the GMC Specialist Register, and in which specialty — for most cosmetic surgery that is Plastic Surgery, or a relevant surgical specialty. Specialist registration is a meaningful step beyond simply being a registered doctor.
Membership of a recognised professional body (for example BAAPS or BAPRAS for plastic surgeons) is a further signal you can verify, though it is not a substitute for the register.
Section 02
Where it happens — hospital CQC registration
In England, cosmetic surgery falls under the CQC-regulated activity “surgical procedures”. Check the provider and the specific hospital or clinic where you will be operated on in the CQC register, including the location and registered activities. Inspection information may also be available. If the relationship between provider, location and procedure is unclear, ask the provider or CQC before booking.
Ask about anaesthesia: a substantial operation should involve a registered anaesthetist, and the facility should be equipped for the level of surgery being performed.
Section 03
Consultation, cooling-off and consent
Reputable practice — and professional guidance — favours a proper consultation with the operating surgeon (not only a salesperson), realistic discussion of risks and outcomes, and a cooling-off period before surgery. Be cautious of pressure to decide quickly, or of being booked with “a surgeon” you only meet on the day.
You should receive clear written information on risks, recovery and what the procedure does and does not achieve.
Section 04
What happens if it goes wrong
Ask, in writing, what aftercare is included, who you contact for complications, and what the policy is if revision surgery is needed — including any cost. A written answer lets you understand the arrangement before deciding.
Unmist shows, for each clinic, the practitioners named on the clinic’s own website with links to their register, a link to the official CQC record where we have matched one, and the procedures the clinic lists — from the public record and the clinic’s own site. We never rank or recommend; we show what is checkable so you can ask better questions.
Frequently asked
Is the “specialist register” different from being GMC-registered?
Yes. All practising doctors are on the GMC register; the Specialist Register additionally records doctors recognised in a specialty such as Plastic Surgery. For cosmetic surgery, specialist status is a meaningful extra check.
Does the hospital need to be CQC-registered?
In England, cosmetic surgery falls under the CQC-regulated activity “surgical procedures”. Check the provider, treatment location and registered activities on cqc.org.uk; inspection information may also be available. Ask the provider or CQC if the relationship between them is unclear.
Should I meet the actual surgeon before the day of surgery?
Best practice favours consulting with the operating surgeon and having a cooling-off period before deciding. Be cautious of pressure to commit quickly or only meeting your surgeon on the day.
What should I ask about revision surgery?
Ask in writing what aftercare is included, who manages complications, and the policy and any cost if revision is needed.
Unmist publishes facts from the public record and the clinic’s own website. We never rank or recommend clinics, never say “best”, and never give medical advice — this guide is here to help you check what is clearly shown before you book.
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