Top 10 Things to Check Before Cosmetic Surgery in Scotland
Choosing a cosmetic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The outcome will be with you for years—potentially decades—and the difference between an excellent result and a disappointing one often comes down to choices made before you ever enter an operating theatre.
Yet for most patients, comparing cosmetic surgery providers is genuinely difficult. Marketing messages blur together. Prices vary dramatically without an obvious explanation. Everyone claims to be “experienced” and “qualified.” How do you cut through the noise?
This guide provides a practical framework for evaluating cosmetic surgeons in Scotland. These are the questions that matter—and the answers that should give you confidence or concern.
Contents
1. Is Your Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery?
This is the single most important question, yet most patients don’t know to ask it.
All doctors practising in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). However, GMC registration alone doesn’t mean a doctor is trained in surgery. A GP, a psychiatrist, and a plastic surgeon are all “GMC registered doctors”—but only one has completed surgical training. In fact, GMC registration is simply the legal requirement to practise medicine in the UK at all—without it, performing any medical procedure would be unlawful.
The Specialist Register is different. It confirms that a surgeon has completed the full training pathway in their specialty—typically six years of higher surgical training after medical school and foundation years. For plastic surgery, this means dedicated training in both reconstructive and aesthetic techniques.
When researching clinics, pay attention to how they describe their surgeons’ credentials. If a clinic prominently advertises that their surgeons are “GMC registered” without mentioning the Specialist Register, it’s worth asking why. Similarly, be cautious of the term “board certified”—this is an American credential with no formal meaning in the UK, sometimes used in marketing to sound impressive without confirming UK specialist training.
2. Is Your Surgeon a Member of BAAPS?
BAAPS—the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons—is the professional body representing plastic surgeons who specialise in cosmetic (aesthetic) procedures. Membership requires:
- Being on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery
- Demonstrating specific training and experience in aesthetic surgery
- Adhering to a strict code of practice
- Participating in ongoing professional development
Not every excellent plastic surgeon is a BAAPS member, but membership provides independent verification that your surgeon meets rigorous professional standards. It’s a meaningful credential—unlike some of the “awards” you may see advertised.
3. Be Sceptical of "Award-Winning" Claims
Many cosmetic surgery clinics prominently display awards and accolades. Before being impressed, consider: what do these awards actually measure?
Many industry awards involve purchasing tickets, sponsoring tables, or funding events. The judging criteria are often opaque, weighing marketing presence as heavily as clinical outcomes. Some surgeons are “nominated” for awards without their knowledge—or consent.
4. Who Will You Actually Meet at Your Consultation?
At some clinics, your first appointment will be with a “patient coordinator” or “consultant” (note: not a Consultant Surgeon—the capitalisation matters). This person may discuss your goals, show you before-and-after photos, and quote prices. You might not meet the surgeon who would actually operate on you until much later in the process—if at all before the day of surgery.
This matters because the consultation is where critical decisions are made. Your surgeon should assess your anatomy, discuss realistic outcomes, explain risks specific to your situation, and determine whether surgery is appropriate for you. A patient coordinator—however friendly and professional—cannot make these clinical judgements.
5. Why "Free Consultations" Should Give You Pause
A free consultation sounds appealing—what’s not to like about saving money? But consider the business model behind it.
When consultations are free, the surgeon or clinic only earns when you proceed to surgery. This creates an inherent pressure—conscious or not—to convert consultations into bookings. The consultation becomes a sales process rather than a clinical assessment.
By contrast, when you pay for a consultation, you’re buying the surgeon’s time and professional opinion—nothing more. The surgeon is being paid to assess you honestly, which might include telling you that surgery isn’t right for you, that your expectations need adjusting, or that a different procedure would better serve your goals.
6. Understand the True Cost of Cosmetic Surgery
Price comparison in cosmetic surgery is more complex than it appears. A lower headline price may reflect:
- Less experienced surgeons — with correspondingly higher revision rates
- Limited aftercare — follow-up appointments may be charged extra or conducted by nurses rather than your surgeon
- Different facility standards — not all operating environments are equal
- Revision costs not included — if you need corrective surgery, what happens?
According to BAAPS, UK hospitals have seen a significant increase in corrective surgeries for procedures that went wrong—often costing patients thousands of pounds on top of their original procedure. The “expensive” option from an experienced surgeon, done right the first time, may well be the cheaper choice in the end.
7. How to Read Cosmetic Surgery Reviews
Online reviews are valuable but require critical reading. Not all review platforms work the same way.
Open platforms like Google and Trustpilot allow any patient to leave a review at any time. You’ll see the full range of experiences—positive and negative. Reviewers have profiles with review histories, providing context.
Invitation-only platforms work differently. Only patients who receive a specific invitation from the clinic can leave reviews. This means dissatisfied patients cannot independently share their experiences—they must wait to be invited.
Neither system is inherently wrong, but the distinction matters when interpreting ratings. A 4.9 average on an open platform where anyone can post is a different achievement than a 4.99 on a platform where the clinic controls who gets asked.
8. What Happens After Your Surgery?
Aftercare is where the difference between practice models becomes most apparent.
In a consultant-led practice, your operating surgeon takes responsibility for your recovery. If you have concerns outside normal hours, there’s a clear pathway to reach clinical support—and if needed, your surgeon can be contacted to advise. They know your case, your anatomy, and what was done. This continuity matters, particularly if complications arise.
In larger commercial operations, aftercare may be handled by a rotating team. Your surgeon may have moved on to other patients or other locations. You might speak to someone who has never met you and is reading your notes for the first time.
9. Where Will Your Surgery Take Place?
The physical environment matters. Purpose-built surgical facilities are designed with patient safety in mind—from theatre specifications to recovery areas to infection control protocols.
Some procedures are performed in converted premises or treatment rooms that weren’t originally designed for surgery. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unsafe, it’s worth understanding what you’re walking into.
10. Do You Feel Informed — Or Pressured?
This final point is less about credentials and more about instinct. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the process.
Reputable surgeons want you to make the right decision — even if that decision is to wait, think further, or not proceed at all. They understand that cosmetic surgery is significant and that patients need time to consider their options. In fact, UK regulations require a minimum cooling-off period between consultation and surgery for most cosmetic procedures, specifically to protect patients from rushed decisions.
Be cautious if you experience any of the following: pressure to book on the day, limited-time discounts that expire imminently, reluctance to answer questions fully, or a sense that you’re being “sold to” rather than consulted. These are signs that the clinic’s interests may not align with yours.
A good consultation should leave you feeling more informed and more confident — not anxious to commit before you’re ready. If something feels off, trust that instinct. The right surgeon will still be there when you’ve had time to reflect.
Your Cosmetic Surgeon Checklist
Before booking any cosmetic procedure in Scotland, confirm:
Your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery
Your surgeon holds BAAPS and/or BAPRAS membership
You will meet your operating surgeon at your first consultation
The consultation fee reflects professional opinion, not a sales process
You understand what aftercare is included and who provides it
You know what happens if a revision is needed
You’ve checked reviews across multiple independent platforms
You’ve asked about your surgeon’s specific experience with your procedure
You’ve seen the facility where your surgery will take place
You feel informed, not pressured
Making Your Decision
Cosmetic surgery is a significant investment—in money, time, and trust. The lowest price is rarely the best value, and the flashiest marketing rarely indicates the best outcomes.
Take your time. Ask questions. If any provider makes you feel rushed or pressured, that tells you something important. The right surgeon will welcome your due diligence—because they know their answers will withstand scrutiny.
At Waterfront Private Hospital, we believe informed patients make better decisions. Our consultant plastic surgeons are all on the Specialist Register and members of BAAPS, and are personally involved in every patient’s journey from first consultation through complete recovery. We charge for consultations because we’re selling our professional opinion, not a procedure. And we welcome every question on this list.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach, we’d be happy to hear from you.
