While the vast majority of people undergoing some form of cosmetic surgery come out the other end unscathed, there are many people it seems who don’t.

Despite spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds, apparently a large minority (5%) of people (mainly women) have had corrective surgery after a botched operation.

One woman complained that she felt mutilated after surgery. In fact she nearly lost both breasts during the treatment.

Although it has to be stressed that botched operations are fairly rare, UK based cosmetic surgeons are nevertheless demanding that the regulations are tightened up.

One of the doctors leading the fight to make changes in the regulations is Dr. Niall Kirkpatrick, cranio-facial surgeon at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.

In a broadcast about cosmetic surgery in Britain which will be broadcast soon, Dr. Kirkpatrick said: “If we do not act to regulate the private sector this is the future for the NHS.  The strain is just too much, not only on the NHS – hospitals and GP’s – but on the economy.  Private cosmetic surgery is rife for abuse without proper regulations; this is a serious problem that will not go away.”

The major problem in westernised society is that the need to improve one’s own self- esteem overrides what is actually a medical procedure. The term cosmetic appears to go hand in hand with perfumes, and other cosmetic products aimed at improving the individual’s beauty and feelings.

However wishing for this through surgery may not be the right way to go for some people. It could end in tears.