Cosmetic Surgeons To Offer Insurance Against Rare Breast Implant Complication For The First Time

Move follows inquiry into plastic surgery industry and will also cover other popular procedures

breast implant
breast implant
(Image credit: REX)

Move follows inquiry into plastic surgery industry and will also cover other popular procedures

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) will start offering insurance to patients who undergo plastic surgery procedures with accredited surgeons, it has been announced.

The move comes following a review into cosmetic surgery by a panel headed by NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh. Marie Claire's editor, Trish Halpin, also sat on the panel, which found a 'cosmetic crisis' waiting to happen in the UK.

BAAPS has worked with a specialist insurance firm, Lloyd’s of London, to create a policy to look after all patients of surgeons who are part of the association. The price of cover will be included in the patient's quote for surgery and will be live for two years following an operation.

The '‘Aesthetic Surgery Commitment’ policy will cover corrective treatment of surgery complications such as infection and bleeding, but also cover capsular contracture - an abnormal reaction the body can have to breast implants. This is a world first.

Typically one in ten women who undergo breast augmentation surgery develop this condition, but in the past they have had to pay for the corrective surgery themselves.

BAAPS President Rajiv Grover said: ‘In line with Sir Bruce Keogh’s recommendations for more safeguards in the aesthetic surgery sector, we are [launching] a truly innovative insurance package that will further protect our patients.

‘No procedure is risk-free and ASC covers all common complications, so people undergoing surgery with BAAPS members can enjoy peace of mind that they will be looked after, in the unlikely event of any problems.’

At Marie Claire we are delighted this has been announced and hope this will lead the way for a further rehaul of the cosmetic surgery industry. We have launched a petition we want to take to parliament, but we need your help.

The #TakeAGoodLook Campaign Demands:

• a register for practitioners and procedures • standardised information for patients • a ban on special offers and procedures as prizes • a code of practice for advertising • training courses for non-surgical procedures • fillers to be made prescription-only • a national breast implant registry • an impartial organisation to turn to when things go wrong

So please, sign our petition if you think women should be empowered, informed and safe about cosmetic procedures.

MARIE CLAIRE READER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER PLASTIC SURGERY ORDEAL

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