Medical charity launches 'vet it' checklist for cosmetic surgery abroad

The British College of Aesthetic Medicine, a registered charity, has launched a checklist to help people make safer choices about cosmetic surgery overseas. The checklist is part of a campaign the college calls "Vet It Before You Get It."

The campaign asks prospective patients to take three steps. They should independently verify a surgeon's qualifications, check what emergency facilities are near the clinic, and find out what insurance the practitioner has. The Guardian reported on the campaign and on the advice.

The centrepiece is the BCAM Pre-Consultation Safety Questionnaire, a free checklist that can be downloaded from the college's website. The site also hosts safety questionnaires for toxin treatments, often called anti-wrinkle injections, as well as for filler treatments and peptide injections. BCAM's campaign page sets out these tools for patients.

Nora Nugent, a consultant plastic surgeon and former president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, is among the experts featured in coverage of the campaign.

The push comes as more British residents travel abroad for medical care. The Office for National Statistics reported that about 524,000 residents of Great Britain travelled overseas for medical treatment in 2024, including for cosmetic procedures. That was up from 431,000 in 2023.

The issue has drawn government attention before. In 2024, Wes Streeting, then the health secretary, urged caution over cheap cosmetic surgery abroad. The BBC has also reported that the UK government is working with TikTok influencers to warn people about the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

Outside Britain, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flagged health risks linked to travel-related cosmetic procedures, Reuters reported in June 2026.

Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), a cosmetic procedure to enlarge the buttocks, carry the highest risk of death among cosmetic procedures, according to the Guardian's report.

The National Health Service notes that cosmetic surgery abroad often costs less than in the UK. It advises patients to weigh those potential savings against potential risks.

BCAM describes its aim as promoting public safety and education in aesthetic medicine.