How to find an excellent cosmetic surgeon?

[SheeshazAZ09]

I have hit the point where I'd like to get some subtle cosmetic surgery work done on my face. It seems easy to check a surgeon's professional credentials but I don't just want someone who is competent; I want someone who is an 'artist' and can create a nice-looking result without the well-known weirdnesses, eg 'wind tunnel' look, etc. I recently chatted with a US-based friend who had a facelift and she said she knows who the excellent surgeons are near her, but she doesn't have a clue about UK-based surgeons. She emphasised how important it is to find an 'artist' who can look at your face and know what will work. I don't know anyone personally who's had cosmetic work on their face so can't ask a friend. I live in the South-East of UK , 50 mins from London, so someone in London or south-east of London (eg Brighton) would be best. Can you help please? Either with specific recommendations of individual surgeons or a sort of "Which?" guide?

When I wanted my nose done, I spoke to my GP. He referred me to the plastic surgeon who did the NHS work in my area, but who also had a private service. That way, I knew I was getting the best.

Tatler do a guide to the best surgeons and cosmetic specialists in all the major field every year:

www.tatler.com/article/beauty-cosmetic-surgery-guide

Somebody called Olivia Falcon who used to work for Tatler for many years compiling these lists also does advice but she's expensive. She knows many of the people personally though and has seen the results of their work. Her company's called The Editor's List.

Love the Tatler guide--very useful, thanks for that. I tried asking my GP for recommendations but she seriously did not want to get involved, think she was worried about getting sued if the results weren't great or something!

I understand exactly what you are saying regarding the 'artist' criteria and can recommend an Essex-based surgeon who specialises in rhinoplasty and face lifts.

itsaflossoff: Can you name the surgeon pls?

I have a connective tissue disease that has left me slightly disfigured, and so I have spent an awful lot of time in the waiting rooms of the most eminent doctors and surgeons. I have never seen a face lift or brow lift that didn’t look just like a face lift or brow lift. Some forms of reconstructive surgery can be miraculous- rhinoplasty is definitely one- but others just look like what they are, which is surgery. That means unnatural facial expressions and ugly and unpredictable scar tissue.

That its not true. I have both a brow lift and a facelift and you cant see the scars. I had them done young too.

Google some recent photos of Catherine Zeta Jones. One assumes she can afford the very best surgeons in the world. That’s the best they can do?

Hiding scars is farely straightforward if the work is merely cosmetic. It still looks like “work” instead of a beautiful, if gently ageing, face.

Some people are lucky with the scars and some get keloid scars. The darker your skin the more risk you have of forming keloids. Depends on the person.

But anyway OP, good luck with finding a good surgeon there are some really good doctors out there. I would recommend mine but I live in Spain and the good ones here cost the same as in the UK.

Look for those based in Harley Street and then read online reviews of them. I would absolutely recommend David gateley personally but he operated as a plastic rather than cosmetic surgeon on me. Check out his website.

Harley street addresses are no indication of quality unfortunately- I could take a room and set up shop. I’m not clinically qualified or affiliated with any organisation, but could just pay the rent.

Dr Peter Dziewulski, based at Springfield in Chelmsford I believe but works at various locations.

You need Dominic Bray. He’s incredible when it comes to facelifts. A lot depends on your age and the extent of your skin/muscle laxity though and whether or not you smoke.

Just noticed you didnt specify what type of ‘work’ you were looking for. Do you mean fillers/Botox/laser/peels or full on surgery or both?

I am thinking upper lid blepharoplasty/brow lift mainly though would take recommendations from the surgeon if he thought something other was needed.

Thanks for these hints, gratefully taken on board! I have a direction now to follow up.

Look on the so feminine boards.

Also. Anyone who can "Fit you in due to a cancellation" is rubbish because they are not busy. I had to wait 8mths for the surgeon I wanted.

No you don’t! He seriously messed up my face. The reason I found this thread is because I’m looking for another surgeon to correct the problems.