Hundreds Get Free Cosmetic Surgery on the NHS
Hundreds of people have had cosmetic surgery for free thanks to the UK’s NHS. Figures from the NHS Information Centre show that in the past year, the National Health Service (NHS) has spend £5.7 million on giving 471 patients liposuction and giving over 1,600 patients nose jobs, tummy tucks and breast reductions.
Doctors have explained the situation saying that the operations were not solely down to patients wanting to look better – there was a medical reason for the cosmetic surgery in all of the cases.
For example some of the patients who have had cosmetic surgery on the NHS were suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (sometimes also referred to as dysmorphic syndrome or dysmorphophobia), a psychiatric disorder where the patient is excessively concerned and preoccupied by a imagined or very minor defect in their appearance. Body dysmorphic disorder can cause severe psychological distress that can impair social functioning, sometimes to the point of total social isolation.
Cosmetic surgeons are keen to point out that the rules for having cosmetic surgery under the NHS are stringent and patients would not get surgery for purely cosmetic reasons. Simply “being distressed by their looks” is not enough to warrant cosmetic surgery – there has to be significant evidence of the patient suffering from body dysmorphic disorder before patients would be permitted to have cosmetic surgery.
Some cosmetic surgery performed by the NHS is also as a result of other illnesses such as HIV. HIV medication can cause fat deposits to build up on the neck and in these cases, the NHS may pay for liposuction on the patient’s neck.
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michelle | Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
well i have been in to see my doctor about my breast after my 3rd child an the only one out of the 3 i breast fed, stoppped feeding her at 9months old in january they are not the same as before i have lost bra sizes,confidence as my boobs were my asset i feel less femine, they i feel now about them is causing problems in mine an my partners relationsships allsorts of things that my seem insignificant to other in every day life!!! i have been to the doctors on numerous time to keep bein told no the p,c,t wont grant this an now awating a app to see a mental health specailist can you belive that why the problem is my breast not my mind
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angelina inez rincon | Jun 22, 2009 | Reply
i had a really bad time with my body and would like to look great.i can’t i’m not to good with words so any ways women all ways bown me about my body and I’m tired.
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Rinaani Musutua | Jul 3, 2009 | Reply
OCD and related disorders such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder are very serious mental disorders affecting 8 million Britons. It can be treated without having to undergo plastic surgery. OCD Action is a UK charity offering help and support to people with OCD. Contact the OCD Action help and information line on 0845 390 6232 or visit the website (http://www.ocdactions.org.uk).
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lilia moreno | Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
well im 32 yrs old and have a flabby stomach and cant stand the i look i am having anxity and cant get my self to start dating bacause of my body i am a single mom and i hate the way i look
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shaurndell | Sep 26, 2009 | Reply
To whom it may concern,my name is shaurndell and i saw your website and i thought to myself i surely would like to be one of the lucky one’s to receive plastic surgery.it would mean alot to me cause i not only feel like i need it i also feel like i deserve it and if you new me or met me you would feel the exact same way.i have suffered mental and emotional stress do to the way i look in feel cause it’s been really hard for me it has put me in confusion and deep depression i have even thought about seeing a counselor about my thought’s and feeling’s.so if i have a chance i would like it very much if you could contact me by my e-mail but i would appreciate it if you called me at this # 646-863-2535.sincerely yours,ms.shaurndell
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Jemetrius Lyons | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Hi my name is Jemetrius Lyons,I am a 27 year old mother of three handsome boys.my weight has changed over the years,after i had my last kid. My previous weight was 145 now i weigh 175 and i can’t seem to lose it. I’ve tried it all.My main problem is my adomen area.It’s so uncomfortable and i can’t do the things i use to do with my boys.Also it’s affecting my back,i now have back strains. I really need your help please
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Judy Bertaux | Dec 19, 2009 | Reply
I know how each and every one of these women feel,I feel the same way.I am older than any of these women but I still want to look my best.I have got to the point to where I don’t care if I put on make up or not.I don’t feel good about myself at all.I know I should not feel this way but I do.I would have several thing done if I could afford it.A face lift,a boob job to start with.I do not feel my age at all but I look my age.
Judy Bertaux
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Lorraine | Feb 10, 2010 | Reply
I like many other women, am not happy with my body.
Being 33 years old and mother to 4 girls i dont like some parts of myself.
I am 6ft and the parts i dont like are my boobs as i am tall and am broad my B/C cup boobs look tiny they really do make me feel very un-femanine and are aided daily by heavely padded bras, gel bras and inflatable / chicken fillets.
Also the top of my thighs have bad orange peel look about them.
I do think that in todays world looks are everything in alot of cases i have found even in employement that looks outdo brains which is sad but is happening.
In todays world females especially have alot to live up to with pop stars, actresses etc being on our tv screens daily the model female seems to be very slim with big boobs and perfect skin, and with being a busy mum just about making ends meet i cannot afford what comes naturally to those people which in return makes me feel uncomfortable and ashamed with certain parts of me.
I know i am me and not them but why cant i have the chance to feel femanine, comfortable and sexy like they do.
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Kelly | Feb 15, 2010 | Reply
I’am 17 years old, and the way i look has ruined my life, not even kidding, i had to leave school because of it, give up job opportunities, college opportunities, avoid realationships, everything. I know it sounds silly, i’am not stupid but it cannot be helped, my appearance physicaly sickens me, i never go outside, i never talk to the few people i call friends.I have felt like this since i was 12/13 but suffered other issues as a child too. I have contacted my GP hoping to get counciling and hopfuly be suggested for surgery on my nose, jaw and breats, its not a want, its a need, whats the point in having a life if you cannot live it.
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Chelsea | Mar 8, 2010 | Reply
Im 15 And Recently Had My Teeth Done Because I Hated The Way I Smiled And Now I Feel So Happy But If U Want Surgery Then U Should Have It I Left School When I Was 12 I Was Never Bullied I Just Felt So Depressed Because Every One Else Was Prettier Than Me But Now I Know That Surgery Does Make U Feel So Much Better So If U Have The Money Go For It.
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Eric | Mar 13, 2010 | Reply
I want to point out one thing. If you have, or even hear someone say you have Body Dysmorphia… please, do not seek surgery untill you have had severe long term therapy, and perhaps even medication. I had BD and OCD unknowingly. At times I suspected it, but without meds and therapy, I ignored my rare glimpses, and warnings. I opted for a surgery, that destroyed me in more ways then one. I was forced into therapy then. And after meds and therapy, I realized I allowed a doctor to severly mess me up. BD and OCD is even worse to deal with now. Now, I’m looking for revision and correction. I lost everything. And I’m scared to death of having another surgery, but I must, for my mental well being.
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PATRICIA FEENEY | Apr 27, 2010 | Reply
I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT HAVEING
COSMETIC SURGERY ON THE NHS HOW MUCH WOULD YOU
HAVE TO PAY THE SUGEON. ALSO I FEEL THAT IF
YOU PAID AN NHS SURGOEN. THAN A COSMETIC
SURGEON. I MIGHT BE CHEAPER AND THE NHS
SURGEON COULD PROBERLY DO THE SAME JOB
AT HALF THE PRICE A COSMECTIC
SURGEON CHARGES.
WHAT DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK.
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chris | May 18, 2010 | Reply
i don’t see how this is possible
i have suffered whit sever acute depression and body dismopria disorder for the pats few years in regards to my hair loss and i cannot get an treatment paid for by the nhs at all i have a phycolioges and a phyactrist i see once a week and the nhs will not pay for anything for me so i would like to see where these stats have come from and proof as i am constantly being told no to any treatment i have asked for
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curtis | May 29, 2010 | Reply
been thinking alot how i look since i can remember, (17 now) my ears arent just the normal sticking out they are really different and really stop me going out because im so depressed about it, would i be able to get anything done on the nhs??
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chris | Jun 2, 2010 | Reply
hi curtis i have gone through ever policy and procedure by nhs and my local primary care trust they have something in place called there effective use of resource policy in other word its all about money they have i a have been refused time and time again despite my suicide attempts they just don’t want to help people so we are all left alone in this world but there suppose to help us not reject us its so had im disgusted with what ive had to go through
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HARSHVARDHAN J WAGH | Jul 26, 2010 | Reply
dear sir,
please help me to free from acne problem.i have been suffering from long time and i feel very bad to stand in front of my friends and others.Due to my financial condition i cant affrd for that so please help me.i will wait for ur reply.
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