Hunter women’s health advocate Catherine Henry is again calling for greater regulation and scrutiny of Australia’s cosmetic surgery industry.

The principal of Catherine Henry Lawyers reiterated pleas she – and others – have been making for years following Monday night’s Four Corners story Cosmetic Cowboys: The unregulated world of cosmetic surgery – a joint investigation with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers.

The list of women whom Ms Henry’s Newcastle-based firm is helping to make claims against one disgraced cosmetic surgeon, Dr Leslie Blackstock, has grown to more than 150.

“Unfortunately, more people are turning to cosmetic surgery,” she said.

“And, the industry has grown from something utilised by a few to one worth billions of dollars.

“But, the regulation of it has not kept up with its exponential growth.

“Unlike plastic surgeons, any qualified medical practitioner can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon.

“It is not a recognised specialty in Australia, so cosmetic surgeons don’t have a college or go through the same rigorous training as plastic surgeons.

“The laws must change and the health regulators need to have a register of accredited cosmetic surgeons to help patients to choose skilled providers.”

The NSW Medical Council de-registered Dr Blackstock in October 2020, although he was suspended in 2017.

Ms Henry said this was not before he left a trail of trauma and devastation at his clinic in Western Sydney.

He even did procedures on some clients while suspended.  

“He was not a specialist surgeon but described himself on his website as a plastic surgeon with suitable skill and expertise in breast augmentation,” Ms Henry explained.

“My clients suffered horrendously at the hands of Dr Blackstock and the experience has affected their relationships, physical and mental health, their finances and their ability to work.

“The women our firm is representing say he performed procedures without an anaesthetist or an in-person pre-procedure assessment or examination and has uniformly asked the women while sedated (or their partners via Facetime) if they are satisfied with the appearance of their breasts.

“Many had complications, which he incompetently managed and had to have further surgery – often multiple procedures -redone.

“Many of these women are facing corrective surgery with other surgeons that will – in some cases – cost them tens of thousands of dollars.”

The Four Corners program focussed on one of Australia’s best-known cosmetic surgeons Dr Daniel Lanzer.

He owns and runs day hospitals in Melbourne and Brisbane and facilities in Sydney and Perth.

A number of his patients are saying they were left scarred and had years of their lives “ruined”.

“On Four Corners, the industry was described as ‘Wild West without the sheriffs’ and I think that’s pretty accurate,” Ms Henry said.

The problems are not confined to just several high-profile doctors or capital cities.

Her firm has settled other cases or made complaints for women who have experienced substandard treatment during cosmetic procedures.

“One client – a woman in her late 40s – underwent cosmetic surgery with a GP practising as a cosmetic surgeon in Newcastle to reduce the impact of ageing and give her a better defined facial shape,” Ms Henry said.

“During the surgery her facial nerves were severed beyond repair.

“She was left with permanent facial disfigurement through nerve damage, ongoing pain and psychological trauma.

“Many women, understandably, feel embarrassed, powerless and often don’t know how or where to complain about poor treatment.”

Her firm is settling claims through Dr Blackstock’s insurer.

“It has been a difficult legal process but we have earlier this year resolved the legal issues and are working hard to get justice for these poor women for what they have been through and continue to suffer,” Ms Henry said.

“Better regulation and standards for so-called cosmetic surgeons are desperately needed.”

Ms Henry’s advice to women thinking about cosmetic surgery is to think carefully, do their homework researching doctors and to make sure they understand all of the risks.

“Check the qualifications of doctors and find out how many of the procedures the doctor has performed and if there are complaints currently against them,” she said.

• Also read:

Hunter woman wins case against disgraced surgeon

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