A BBC Disclosure investigation has found that some cosmetic surgery companies in the UK are using surgeons from abroad who fly in and out of the country, leaving patients vulnerable if complications arise. The practice has been criticised by experts who say regulation is too weak.
Catherine Roan, 41, from Thornton in Fife, underwent a rhinoplasty through Transform, a leading high street provider. The clinic recommended Italian surgeon Antonio Ottaviani, who flew to Scotland for the procedure. After three revision surgeries, her nose was left in what an expert described as looking like a bad car crash.
Ms Roan took legal action and won a medical negligence claim, but has only received 1% of the £100,000 awarded. Mr Ottaviani did not attend court, and attempts to seize his assets in Italy have failed. The BBC knows of at least six other women who have complained about his practices.
Mr Ottaviani told the BBC he did not wish to be interviewed but said he had always been available when Transform asked and that five or six unhappy patients out of 6,000 was a very small percentage. He continues to fly into the UK to work at a private clinic in London.
The Royal College of Surgeons said regulation of cosmetic surgery was too weak, leaving patients unprotected and the NHS to pick up the pieces. Experts noted that key recommendations from the 2013 Keogh Review have not been implemented, including a compulsory register of cosmetic surgeons. A voluntary certification scheme has fewer than 30 surgeons signed up.
