Backlash over proposed guidelines for cosmetic surgery
The cosmetic surgery industry is warning that a proposed seven day cooling off period could encourage people to travel overseas for potentially dangerous and even fatal operations.
The Medical Board of Australia is recommending patients wait for a seven day cooling-off period before going under a cosmetic surgeon's knife.
"We're not putting the brakes, we're not stopping someone from having it, we just want time for them to reconsider all the options,” said acting chair Dr Stephen Bradshaw.
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare, so it's hard to know how many people are going under the knife here.
David Segal from The Cosmetic Institute expressed concern about the cooling off period.
"My concern is that if we make it more difficult for people to seek out affordable options here in Australia, it will simply force people back overseas,” he said.
Gold Coast woman Evita Sarmonikas died tragically of a heart attack earlier this year, after travelling to Mexico for cosmetic surgery.
Tabatha Barret's dream of a better body was also shattered, after cosmetic surgery she had in Thailand left her legs infected and disfigured.
"I'm good, I'm positive about it all basically what I want to do is take my experience and let other young Australian women know that it is a high risk going overseas,” she said.
"It's not a holiday - it's far from a holiday, yes it's cheaper but your body and your health is worth the additional expense in order to have it in Australia."
The Medical Board also recommends people under 18-years-old have a three month cooling off period before being operated on and that cosmetic surgeries provide detailed, written information on costs.
