By: Mr Richard Matthews
Created on 25th March 2010
Leading plastic surgeon Richard Matthews, who practises throughout Coventry and Warwickshire, clears up some common confusions about cosmetic surgery
I am sometimes asked why surgeons in Britain are called ‘Mr' and not ‘Dr' as they are called in other countries. Often behind this question is the underlying belief that surgeons are not really doctors at all, but some sort of mysterious medical beast that just operates on people.
The confusion stems from the fact that, when surgery was officially recognised as a profession in England with the formation of the Guild of Barber Surgeons by Henry VIII in 1540, the surgeons were called ‘Mr', unlike physicians who had the medical title of ‘Dr'. Eventually, surgery became more regulated and it was necessary to have a qualification as a doctor before training to become a surgeon.
The Royal College of Surgeons of London (later ‘of England') was formed by Royal Charter in 1800, partly to set standards and examinations in surgery. In recognition of passing the exams to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), the successful doctor's title changed from ‘Dr' to ‘Mr' and this ‘throwback' anomaly persists to this day for all four Colleges of Surgeons in the UK and Ireland, as well as in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Personally, I'm not fussed whether I'm called ‘Dr' or ‘Mr' Matthews,but always remind myself that I'm a doctor first and a surgeon second: the Hippocratic Oath applies to us all.
Another fallacy is the common belief that plastic surgery just means cosmetic surgery. In fact plastic surgery covers a huge field of reconstructive surgery, including the treatment of congenital abnormalities, deformities and trauma.
Within the specialty of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery is a separate field all of its own, which obviously catches the public imagination more easily (and also makes popular TV!), but most top cosmetic surgeons have an extensive grounding in reconstructive plastic surgery as well, benefitting from a deep knowledge of anatomy and of soft tissue handling. In the UK, many of us are committed as consultants in the NHS for reconstructive aspects too.
When looking for a cosmetic/plastic surgeon to perform your surgery, it is wise to find someone with this broad background of training and expertise. A good indication of this is a surgeon's membership of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.co.uk) or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (www.bapras.co.uk), preferably both. Uniquely, BAAPS requires each of its members to return a personal safety audit each year as a condition of their continued membership.
Finally, the British are well known as a nation of bargainhunters. However, in cosmetic surgery this can be a trap. By going for the cheapest option, you may then just find yourself part of a ‘conveyor-belt' service, whether at home or abroad, with very limited choices if things don't work out so well, especially if you suffer a complication.
Much better to meet your surgeon well in advance of treatment and to establish a bond of trust and confidence that will see you through the entire experience from first consultation to final discharge: a little extra investment in all respects pays handsome dividends
Richard Matthews (www.richardmatthewsplasticsurgeon.co.uk) is a member of BAAPS and BAPRAS and of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and is on the GMC's Specialist Register. Surgical treatment of skin cancer is his special interest (NHS & private) and, in addition, in his private practice he aims to provide a ‘Gold Standard' in a wide range of cosmetic surgery.
