The Origins of BAAPS
It is little recognised today that the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons originated from within BAPS.
The idea for a society focussed entirely upon aesthetic or cosmetic surgery first emerged from within a small group of BAPS membership in 1977. This was driven by the recognised need for a dedicated society of plastic surgeons with an interest in aesthetic surgery. It was also spurred on by a boom in private cosmetic clinics across the UK, run by a variety of non-BAPS surgeons. The concept was to put the discipline on a “legitimised” academic and educational footing.
Membership would initially comprise only full BAPS members and specifically excluded anyone who worked for an organisation which advertised. It was assured that it would only complement the parent organisation, in no way seeking to pre-empt its activities.
After significant groundwork and a positive survey amongst BAPS members undertaken by Patrick Whitfield, The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) was established on the 12th of November 1979. There were 44 founder members with Stewart Harrison elected its first President, Peter Davies the Vice-President and Patrick Whitfield its Secretary. The name by which the Association should be known resulted in considerable debate centred around the words “cosmetic” or “aesthetic”. “Cosmetic” was rejected because a British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons already existed. Initially, the society had used the name “British Society of Aesthetic Surgeons” but this was rapidly modified to the name which persists today.
The Original Aims of BAAPS
- To promote an interchange of knowledge for the advancement of aesthetic plastic surgery amongst suitably qualified surgeons.
- To stimulate the training in this aspect of plastic surgery among plastic and reconstructive surgeons and their trainees.
- To ensure that aesthetic plastic surgery remains a recognised and respected discipline.
- To develop and encourage the practice of high standards of personal, professional and ethical conduct among the members.
- To establish links with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic Surgeons.
- To advise those who wish to obtain information about aesthetic plastic surgery.
- To promote a better understanding of aesthetic plastic surgery among general practitioners.
- To disseminate recent information, and the results of research, to the members of the Association and the medical profession.
There was some initial debate as to whether the formation of BAAPS would detract from BAPS, acting as a splinter organisation, but from the outset it remained affiliated to the parent organisation and rapidly gained such to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
Today BAAPS remains at the forefront of developments in aesthetic plastic surgery as a subspecialty in the United Kingdom. The association has a focus upon education, excellence, patient safety and the maintenance of ethical standards in aesthetic surgery. BAAPS has a wide membership, from a range of surgical disciplines and its President remains an invited member of BAPRAS Council.
Contributor: Jafar Bilal. Adapted form an article by F.V. Nicolle in BAPS 1987 History