How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon in Lagos: Checks to Make

The short answer

Choose a doctor registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria who holds a specialist qualification in plastic surgery, operates in a proper hospital with an anaesthetist, and meets you in person before you pay. Ask what could go wrong and who looks after you if it does. Followers, before-and-after photos and low prices tell you nothing about safety.

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Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed 22 October 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.

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Three checks before anything else

Registration: the person must be a doctor registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), with a current practising licence. Ask to see it and note their full name
Specialist training: a plastic surgeon has years of specialist training after medical school, usually shown by a fellowship in plastic surgery, in Nigeria commonly from the West African College of Surgeons or the National Postgraduate Medical College. 'Cosmetic doctor' or 'aesthetic surgeon' on Instagram is not the same thing
Setting: the operation should happen in a registered hospital with a theatre, an anaesthetist and a ward. Ask for the name of the hospital and visit if you can

Questions to ask at the consultation

The person who will operate should see you before you pay anything. Ask them:

How many of this operation have you done, and how often?
Am I a good candidate, and is there anything you would not do for me?
What are the most common complications, and what is the most serious?
Who gives the anaesthetic, and what are their qualifications?
Will I stay overnight? Who looks after me after I go home?
What happens, and who pays, if I need a further operation?
What exactly is included in the price, in writing?

Signs of a good surgeon

A good surgeon asks you about your health, medicines, smoking and why you want surgery. They examine you. They tell you what they cannot do, and sometimes they tell you not to have surgery at all. They give you a written plan and quote, and time to think, with no pressure to pay today. They are clear about risks rather than waving them away.

Warning signs

You only ever speak to a manager, a 'coordinator' or a social media account, never the surgeon
Deposits demanded before any consultation, or 'slots' that expire today
Discounts for paying now, group bookings or giveaways
Surgery in a hotel, a house or a 'clinic' with no theatre
No talk of risks, or promises of 'no scar', 'no pain' or exact results
A surgeon who flies in for a weekend and leaves you with nobody to call afterwards

How Mezo helps

Every surgeon listed on Mezo is verified and MDCN-checked. You consult first, then get a written all-in quote after the assessment. Operations take place at partner hospitals in the network, you pay online with nothing at the counter, and a care coordinator arranges the day. You can book for a relative from abroad and pay online too.

What it costs on Mezo

One fixed price, paid online.

Book a liposuction Book a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)Book a breast reductionfrom₦10,000,000 Book a revision and corrective plastic surgery

Common questions

Is a dermatologist or GP allowed to do liposuction?

Doctors are registered as doctors, but surgery like liposuction, tummy tucks and breast operations should be done by a surgeon trained in plastic surgery. Ask about specialist training, not just registration.

Are before-and-after photos enough proof?

No. Photos can be borrowed, edited or chosen from the best results. They are helpful only alongside checked registration, training and a real consultation.

Is it safer to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery?

Not automatically. The same checks apply anywhere. Surgery abroad also means a long flight soon after, and being far from your surgeon if something goes wrong.

What if I am unhappy with my result?

Speak to your surgeon first; swelling can take months to settle. If you are still unhappy, or something is not healing, a revision consultation with another plastic surgeon can assess what can be done and when.

The procedures

LiposuctionWhat happens, step by step Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)What happens, step by step Breast reductionWhat happens, step by step Revision and corrective plastic surgeryWhat happens, step by step

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Sources and further reading

The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.

Choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure. NHS. Patient information.
Before you have a cosmetic procedure. NHS. Patient information.
Cosmetic surgery abroad. NHS. Patient information.

Links last checked 22 October 2026.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.

How to choose a plastic surgeon in Lagos: MDCN checks and the questions to ask