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FAQ

Mr Charles Nduka will answer all of your specific cosmetic surgery questions during a private consultation. However, to view answers to some of the most common questions, please read below.

  • Choosing your surgeon

    Choosing the right surgeon for you is the most important decision you make. In the UK anyone with a medical degree is licensed by law to perform ‘cosmetic’ surgery. The General Medical Council has a list of surgeons who have met the requirements that allow them to be on the Plastic Surgery Specialist Register. This should be checked via the GMC website.

    As a start consult your GP. If you have confidence in your GP, then you will have confidence in the surgeon he or she recommends. A personal recommendation through friends or relatives can also be helpful. Few experienced and skilled surgeons feel the need to advertise in the glossy magazines. There are several large cosmetic surgery chains with poor reputations for the quality of their aftercare. You might wonder why these companies do not allow you to see the name of the surgeon, evidence of their training and their qualifications"

  • What do all of those letters mean

    Credentials may be difficult to decipher without explanation, especially as there are so many surgical Societies, Associations, and Academies around. Only fully-trained plastic surgeons are eligible to join BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) or BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, formerly BAPS). Some organisations do not require that its members are even plastic surgeons (e.g. the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons (BACS), the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), the American Society of Liposuction Surgery (ASLS), European Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (EACS).

  • Do I need to be referred by my GP?

    You do not need to tell your GP that you are planning to undergo cosmetic surgery, however it is good practice to inform him or her. As your primary doctor, your GP may be able to advise you on matters related to your surgery and provide us with any additional information which may be helpful in your surgery.

  • Is it safe?

    All operations have some risk, however small. The amount of risk depends on your general health, the kind of surgery, and the type of anaesthesia. Modern anaesthetic techniques are much safer than in the past with less nausea and fewer complications. Many procedures that are traditionally performed under general anaesthesia can be achieved under local anaesthesia which may be preferable for you.

  • Must I have a General Anaesthetic?

    Many cosmetic surgery procedures can be performed without a general anaesthetic. Facelift, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, breast uplift and liposculpture can all be performed under local anaesthesia, with sedation if desired. In Mr Nduka’s practice full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast reduction and breast reconstruction require a full general anaesthetic.

  • I'm worried about looking un-natural or 'plastic' after surgery

    If a stranger can tell you have had surgery then it has probably been overdone. Salt is added to food to enhance existing flavours. If you can taste the salt itself, then too much has been added. Similarly, cosmetic surgery aims to enhance existing features. If the surgery is detectable to a stranger then it has probably been overdone. Modern techniques to avoid tell-tale scars should be used, particularly on the face. A ‘little and often’ approach is often better than a major procedure unless you can afford the time to recover.

  • I dont want people to know, how can I be reassured?

    You do not have to tell anyone that you are having surgery, not even your GP. However it is strongly recommended that you give Mr Nduka permission to write to your GP (who is after all your primary physician) after the consultation. It is possible that your GP may have information that would be important for your surgeon. It is advisable to tell your immediate family or a trusted friend that you are undergoing surgery- the added stress of keeping your surgery a secret from the world may only add to any anxiety. Mr Nduka is happy for you to bring a trusted friend or relative with you to the consultation.

  • Is plastic surgery painful?

    Immediately following surgery, there should be no pain as local anaesthetic is always administered around the site of surgery. Most patients say that cosmetic surgery of the face is not painful. Any discomfort can usually be easily managed with simple painkillers such as paracetamol. During a local anaesthetic procedure, the anaesthetic that is administered ensures that you are comfortable and feel no pain, although you may detect a light pressure sensation at the site of surgery. You may bring your favourite music CD to relax you during the operation. If sedation is administered as well (twilight anaesthesia) then you will be asleep throughout most of the procedure and not remember anything. If you would prefer a general anaesthetic (recommended for a tummy tuck), then you will be completely asleep with the anaesthetist monitoring you and therefore you will not feel anything. After your operation, any discomfort can usually be controlled satisfactorily through medication and will gradually subside within a matter of days.

  • What happens if something goes wrong, or I'm not happy with the results?

    Fortunately complications are rare, and complications that adversely affect the final result are even less common. However, complications can arise with any surgery despite the best attempts by both doctor and patient to minimise these. Under most circumstances if you and Mr Nduka are unhappy with the result of surgery you will be entitled further surgery to improve the result and Mr Nduka would not charge a fee for this.

  • What about fees and payments?

    Mr Nduka charges a flat fee for the pre-operative consultation, examination and photography. You will not be charged for further pre-op consultations as Mr Nduka is very keen to ensure that before surgery you are absolutely happy with any proposed treatment. Surgical fees are requested two weeks before the date of surgery and cover all post-operative visits and consultations.

    Private health insurance very rarely covers the costs of purely cosmetic procedures. However for conditions covered by insurance Mr Nduka’s fees are within the limits of most major insurance companies. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company to confirm that they will cover the costs of treatment.

  • Is financing available?

    Some of the hospitals that Mr Nduka uses offer financing at competitive rates. Ask about this after your consultation. Most hospitals also accept major credit cards.