The final report of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was published in September 2016.
Within this document the CMA required publication of information on the fees charged by consultants.
Mr. Ross charges £200 for initial consultations for aesthetic procedures. For reconstructive consultations, second opinions and revisionary cases the consultation fees are usually £250 but depend on the complexity of the referral. Following surgery Mr. Ross does not charge additional consultation fees other than in the case of oncological / reconstructive follow up. If this is anticipated this will be declared at the time of the initial consultation. After a consultation Mr. Ross for patients whose expectations are
realistic and optimal outcomes achievable Mr. Ross will always give a fixed quote for surgical procedures and patients are informed about the perioperative care and after care package of care. Unfortunately in Aesthetic Surgery patients looking to compare prices are rarely aware of the various range of techniques and procedures even for a named procedure. Procedures need to be individualized and can be highly variable depending on the requirements of the individual patient. Complexity of procedures is highly variable and definitive fixed pricing can only be determined after a consultation after discussion about the variety of options and their pros and cons. In Body Rejuvenation surgery there are a variety of requests which are broadly related to reducing or increasing volume, changing shape and Improving symmetry. There are a host of non-surgical and surgical treatments and these can also be combined. With Body rejuvenation the commonest procedures include reduction of fat through liposuction and/or the reduction of skin through direct excision. No matter what part of the body the principles are similar.
There are many different forms of liposuction and patients need to be guided through the options. In terms of skin excision although the top layer of skin is often removed the layers underneath are often manipulated to give optimal results. There are so many variables that without a consultation it is impossible to give patients a fixed price without a consultation.
For example a tummy tuck usually involves the reduction of fat and skin. However the superficial fascia can be dissected separately and used for rejuvenation, the abdominal wall repaired +/- hernia repair in a variety of ways, the umbilicus can be removed / relocated, skin can be removed in a horizontal or vertical fashion and tissue can be removed all the way around the body. Fat can be harvested and used for fat transfer in other areas of the body and various closure methods are available to limit
complications. The price for liposuction under local anaesthetic can be around £4000 compared to the cost of a circumferential abdominoplasty with liposuction, which often costs around £20,000. In the case of massive weight loss multiple areas in staged operations may be required complicating matters further. Although prices are very important to patients a fixed price for all the various combinations of surgery above is impossible. Patients should be given sufficient information and empowered to make a decision to proceed with surgery during a consultation. Patients should be guided in making this decision based on their best interest. This should not be dictated by price. Mr. Ross believes that there should not be a compromise in patient care by offering a suboptimal procedure simply because it is less expensive. It is Mr. Ross’s opinion that it is better not to perform/offer a procedure
that would provide a sub-optimal result. Following a consultation with Mr. Ross this may be one outcome. Where Mr. Ross feels that patient’s expectations are realistic and a suitable outcome to meet those expectations can be obtained Mr. Ross will give a fixed quote for surgery. Mr. Ross will give patients time to reflect and at no point is there any obligation to proceed.