I was appointed as Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at the Royal Devon University Healthcare and Torbay Hospital nearly 10 years ago.
I have been practising in reconstructive breast surgery, including micro-surgical breast reconstruction in my NHS practice and have also been working in the independent sector, both in Exeter and Mount Stuart Hospital in Torquay; this has included all areas of cosmetic surgery, comprising facial, breast and body contouring surgery.
I am the Chairman of the Specialist Training Committee for overseeing the training of Plastic Surgeons in the South West. I am also a member of the Peninsular Network for the treatment of skin cancers. I am a full member of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
I think with any patient making a decision to undergo cosmetic surgery or any procedure which is not essential for their physical health, then the key to this process is information and consent. Only by explaining in detail the likely outcome of surgery, and any possible risks, complications or side effects, can a patient make a decision which can be regarded as an informed consent.
This reflects GMC guidelines on best surgical practice. There should be no pressure from any surgeon or provider to encourage patients to have surgery as this is a decision they must make on their own when they have had a full explanation of everything which is involved. Importantly, this discussion must be with the surgeon who will perform the procedure.
Attention from the media can be both positive and negative. The cosmetic surgery industry has been unregulated for far too long and it is generally the unregulated side of cosmetic surgery, in particular the injectable treatments, that have come under increasing scrutiny and rightly so.
There has also been considerable publicity with regard to the PIP breast implant scandal and obviously legislation may be brought in to increase the regulation of manufacturers of any medical device.
Plastic surgery is a highly variable specialisation. Procedures range hugely in complexity from operations involving highly complex micro-surgical techniques to relatively straightforward excision of skin lesions.
Plastic surgery also involves all areas of the body, all sections of the community, including the very young and very old. Plastic surgery is the most general of all the surgical specialties in this regard. The ability to use experience and surgical techniques, tailored to each individual’s problem, is the challenge in plastic surgery in order to achieve the optimum outcome for each patient.
This range of procedures and variability was one of the main attractions to the specialty as no case is ever exactly the same as the one before or after it.
A situation is only stressful if an individual is unable to cope with the stresses and strains placed upon them. With good training, experience and a good team around you, including anaesthetist colleagues, nursing staff and office staff then there is no reason for the job to be stressful.
Most patients do not want to see stress in any healthcare professional, as this undermines confidence and really nobody should be doing a job which they find too stressful. As in all walks of life a little stress can focus the attention but too much stress will start to negatively impact on performance and can be avoided with good training and experience.
Living in this part of the West Country there are so many activities to do in away from work such as sailing, kayaking and enjoying the outdoors so there is plenty to do to get away from medicine. The coastline from the Exe estuary across to Torbay and Dartmouth are all my favourite locations, particularly for sailing.
Now we have a first class rugby team with Exeter Chiefs, there is also premiership rugby to watch.
There are also fantastic restaurants and the emergence of new micro-breweries in the region can only add to the attractions.
Whilst on the island for one of his regular monthly cosmetic surgery clinics, Mr Oliver was invited to return and speak live on air by BBC Radio Guernsey. He spoke about the provision of the cosmetic surgery service on the island now it has been in existence for over a year, in conjunction with the Centre for Modern Medicine and the Medical Specialist Group, and the excellent patient feedback that has been received.
Jenny Kendall-Tobias, BBC Radio Guernsey’s presenter also asked a variety of questions about the cosmetic surgery industry and asked him to comment on current media stories.
On a recent business trip to Guernsey, Mr Oliver was invited to be interviewed by the local BBC Radio Guernsey presenter, Jenny Kendall-Tobias, live on her morning show. The interview took place in the unusual environment of the Salvation Army building in St Sampson's, Guernsey.
All aspects of cosmetic surgery were discussed, as well as Mr Oliver explaining the service that is provided on the island for patients interested in this type of surgery, in partnership with the Centre for Modern Medicine.
Interview with David Oliver on Palm FM about cosmetic surgery and information about the Mount Stuart 'Get Ready for Summer' event.
Mr Oliver will be available at Mount Stuart Hospital, Torquay’s “Get ready for Summer” event on Saturday 12th May 2012. He will be offering the opportunity to have a complimentary mini 1:1 discussion about any aspect of cosmetic surgery. Listen to him talking about cosmetic surgery with an interview on local radio station, Palm FM.
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