EXETER surgeon Vikram Devaraj has warned women about  the dangers of having plastic  surgery abroad.

He said doctors at the Royal  Devon & Exeter Hospital had  been forced to carry out emergency surgery following botched  cosmetic procedures.

The top plastic surgeon is urging husbands and boyfriends not  to give surgery as a Christmas  present.

He said there was a danger that  a rising number of people who  have returned from organised  trips abroad offering cosmetic  surgery may need medical treatment when they return home to  Britain.

Mr Devaraj, consultant reconstructive surgeon at the RD&E  and a member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons  (BAPRAS), said he and colleagues had been forced to remedy problems such as bleeding,  blood clots and haematoma left  after reconstructive surgery undertaken abroad.

He said women were being targeted with offers including two  procedures for price of one, cosmetic surgery as a raffle prize,   vouchers that can be exchanged  for an operation and online discount offers to boost seasonal  sales.

And he warned people not to  succumb to market or peer  pressure that  encourages giving cosmetic surgery as a gift.

Mr Devaraj said most plastic  surgery undertaken in the National Health Service was done  after tumour or trauma, while  surgery for aesthetic reasons  used to be accessed through a  general practitioner but now it  was available online.

“The concern is that in some  cases the risks are underplayed  or seen as small,” he said.

“It was something talked  through quietly but now the perception is that it will make you  more successful and is all part of  the drive for eternal youth.

“You should always remember  the five Cs before doing anything:  (1) Consider the change you  want; (2) Check-out the surgeon;  (3) Consult beforehand; (4)  Cool-off before making a decision; and (5) Think about care.

“There may be no after-care  when you come back from  surgery abroad though the NHS  will handle life-threatening problems. We  treat people who come  back from surgery abroad with  problems or complications.”

Fellow consultant plastic surgeon Tim Goodacre said: “It is  worrying that cosmetic surgery  is being seen by some as a commodity that can be given as easily  as a handbag at Christmas.

“Face-lifts, liposuction and  breast surgery are now marketed  by some in the same way as the  latest moisturiser or mascara.”

Mr Goodacre, who is  vice-president elect of BAPRAS, said:  “Aesthetic surgery can have a  really positive impact on a person’s quality of life by boosting  self esteem and confidence.” But  it should not be entered into  lightly.