Plastic Surgery FAQs | Fitzgerald O'Connor

Researching surgeons

How do I know if a surgeon is well qualified?

Make sure a plastic surgeon has had the requisite training:

1. Plastic surgeons in the UK will have the "FRCS Plast" qualification as a basic marker of competence.

2. They should also be on the General Medical Council's (GMC) Specialist Register (SR) for plastic surgery which you can check online here.

3. Furthermore they should be board-certified as a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon by the The Intercollegiate Cometic Surgery Board (ICSB) Certification which you can check online here.

These three awards indicate that the surgeon has completed rigorous training, passed comprehensive exams and adheres to high ethical and safety standards.

How important is a surgeon's speciality?

Plastic surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures — from facial aesthetics to body contouring to reconstructive work.

Look for a surgeon who not only has experience in plastic surgery generally but also specialises in the specific procedure you're interested in. Ask how often they perform that surgery and request before and after photos of past patients. Experience really matters in surgeons.

How important is location for choosing a surgeon?

The best hospitals only let the very best surgeons in to operate. The criteria to be given admitting rights to a hospital are very steep and so there is a high level of reassurance in seeing surgeons whom the hospitals will trust with their own reputation.

Smaller hospitals and clinics will not have the same level of scrutiny and will prefer the financial benefit of more surgeries over the potential reputational risk of a mediocre surgeon.

In addition, you should always consider what would happen should a major complication arise and you require emergency treatment.

How much attention should I pay to online reviews?

Websites such as doctify, and topdoctors do verify reviews that come from real patients. Online reviews can give an overall sense of the approach a surgeon has. Read the reviews carefully, remember that some surgery can be a subjective opinion, based on preferences.

In addition, a personal recommendation can be really powerful in helping decide on who to go with, so do consult with friends and family or social media groups.

Making a choice

How can I find the right surgeon for me?

After you have researched the basic requirements of a good surgeon, then it will all come down to trusting your own instinct.

Use the first consultation to assess the surgeon's communication style, willingness to answer questions and ability to set realistic expectations. A good plastic surgeon will listen carefully to your goals, explain options clearly and prioritise your safety. If something feels rushed, dismissive, or overly sales-oriented, that's a red flag.

What about price?

While it's natural to consider price, choosing a surgeon based solely on the lowest cost can be risky. Quality care, safety and lasting results should take priority. That said, transparency in pricing and a clear breakdown of costs (including anaesthetic, facility fees and follow-up care) are important and should be provided up front, so there are no surprises down the line.

You can see an indicative list of my prices here.

What about waiting lists?

Be patient and take your time to make any decisions.

Unless it's medically urgent, don't feel pressured to rush into a decision. It's okay to seek multiple consultations with different surgeons and reflect on your options. The right surgeon will understand and support your need to feel confident and informed. Any surgeon who has a one-time only deal is a salesman, not a surgeon, so should be avoided. In addition, often the best surgeons will have a longer waiting list.

My practice

What should I expect from an initial consultation with you?

First consultations are around 40 minutes long. We discuss your goals, what is achievable and what is the safest way to meet your expectations. We go through what to expect on the journey, we look at before and after photos of similar patients, discuss the risks of surgery and answer any other questions you might have.

What happens after the initial consultation?

After the initial consultation you will receive a letter documenting our discussion and what surgical procedures we both feel you would benefit from. You will also receive a fixed quote.

I will always insist on two consultations prior to any operation to ensure all your questions are answered and you feel confident and informed. If you decide you do want to go ahead with surgery then a deposit is paid to secure a surgery date and a second consultation is arranged.

Where can I see you for a consultation?

Consultation appointments are available at HCA London Bridge at the Shard, The Cleveland Clinic London, LIPS Clinic at Battersea Power Station as well as St Thomas' Hospital's Westminster Bridge Consulting Rooms. Just complete the enquiry form on my website or email or call 0203 0514 006.

Which insurers do you work with?

I work with all of the main UK private health insurers.

What are your prices?

Indicative prices are here.

Each operation is unique and a set fee will be given after the first consultation. For surgery, the hospital fee, surgical fee and anaesthetic fee are all included. The surgical fee will also cover any emergency interventions relating to medical problems encountered.

The consultation fee includes as many pre-op consultations as needed, whilst the surgical fee includes as many post-op consultations as needed.

Breast implants and histology are extra.

Surgery

Where do you operate?

I have admitting rights at a number of London hospitals but the main venues I operate at are: The Cleveland Clinic London, HCA London Bridge Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital.

What procedures do you provide?

I provide a range of post weight loss body contouring procedures which you can see here.

In addition I perform excisions of skin lesion and simple skin surgery in my outpatient clinics which you can read about here.

For patients that have suffered a traumatic injury I work with a team to provide a trauma reconstruction service which you can see here.

How can I learn more about any risks?

All surgery incurs risk. Risks will vary by procedure. Surgical risk will be discussed thoroughly at your first and second consultations as well on the day of surgery when you will be asked to sign a consent form. You can read an example consent form for an abdominoplasty to give you an idea of the sorts of risks that can be involved with skin removal surgery.

How long does it take to recover?

Recovery will vary depending on the types and combinations of surgeries you have.

Simple skin surgery such as excising a mole can take just a day or two to recover from. Skin removal surgery such as an abdominoplasty or arm lift can take six weeks before you are getting back to normal, driving and going to the gym. Lower leg reconstruction after a major injury can take many months of surgery and rehabilitation to regain form and function.

Often patients that undergo major operations tell me that, although we talk about the recovery process in consultations, they are not prepared for how long it takes to recover and how much help they needed at home. I work with my specialist plastic surgery nurse to make sure you have all the information and advice you need to make preparations for your recovery.

You can read more about recovery on each of the specific procedure pages.

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What aftercare do you provide?

I work with a specialist plastic surgery nurse whom you will have direct access to 24/7 in the lead up to your skin removal or trauma surgery. Post surgery my nurse will be on hand to answer any questions and concerns and help monitor your wound healing and recovery.

How will my scars look?

All surgery will result in a scar at the site of any incision. As a plastic surgeon I am very experienced in various techniques to try to minimise the appearance of scars however sometimes scars are a trade off for function or, in the case of post-weight loss surgery, skin tightness.

In terms of how the scars will heal and fade over time, everyone is different and the appearance will depend on skin tone, elasticity and how your skin heals. Complications such as psoriasis or infection can sometimes impede the wound healing process.

What happens if I am not happy with my result?

Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery is a personal choice and prior to proceeding with surgery it’s important to have realistic expectations regarding what can be achieved and the likely outcome of any procedure. You should discuss your motivations for having a procedure with your surgeon and be honest about your ability to commit to diet and lifestyle changes that may be needed to ensure the best possible result. Cosmetic Surgery is not a quick fix and should not be treated as such.

When it comes to revisions, although good results are expected after plastic surgery, no guarantees can be made regarding your final outcome, which is why clear discussions and a shared understanding are so important. My current revision rate is less than 2%. This is down to setting realistic expectations early and only operating on patients for whom I feel I can achieve what they are looking for. I have a clear revision policy which covers all eventualities and so there is a clear understanding from the outset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Researching surgeons

Making a choice

My practice

Surgery

Locations

St Thomas’ Hospital

Cleveland Clinic London

HCA London Bridge at The Shard

LIPS at Battersea Power Station

Get in Touch

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Frequently Asked Questions

Researching surgeons

Making a choice

My practice

Surgery

Locations

St Thomas’ Hospital

Cleveland Clinic London

HCA London Bridge at The Shard

LIPS at Battersea Power Station

Get in Touch

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St Thomas’ Hospital 

Cleveland Clinic London

HCA London Bridge at The Shard