KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT, WARN DOCTORS

All patients have the right to ensure that the doctor performing their procedure is authorised to do so, and must thus do their research before going under the knife, urged doctors in the UAE.

Dr Leon Alexander, specialist plastic surgery, Universal Hospital, said every patient undergoing a cosmetic surgery must first make sure that the doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon who has all the right credentials to operate.

“The public should be aware of that, and patients should not be fooled by the marketing gimmicks that give offers for cheaper procedures.

The gimmicks, often found online and through social media, promote cheaper procedures, no scars, no insertions, and other marketing strategies to attract the public.

“They are done to fool patients,” Dr Alexander pointed out.

“People should demand that every centre displays its licence, the treating doctor’s licence and prove his or her credentials.”

He advised patients to look out for credentials, which he said should be displayed in either the clinic’s reception or in the doctor’s office.

He said the top cases of the botched surgeries that he has witnessed are liposuction, abdominoplasty and fat injections in the buttocks.

“A lot of severe complications are rising from these unauthorised procedures.”

Dr Abdulbaqi Alkhatib, consultant plastic surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, advised all patients to do their research before giving any doctor the green light.

“I highly recommend to the general public to be diligent enough, research well, and know the qualifications and experience of the surgeon.”

He said it is crucial for all patients to ask about the results of the surgeon’s procedures, surgical or non-surgical, the medical facility where the surgeon works, the name of the product (filler, botox) to be injected and to never have procedures done at home.