"We know from this analysis that some patients have unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved by cosmetic procedures and what risks are involved in the procedure."

She said it was important surgeons advised patients about the risks and benefits of under going surgery, including complications rates and other treatments available.

The pay-outs, the overwhelming majority of which were settled out-of-court, ranged from £200 to £305,000, which was paid to a patient who had complications following facial surgery.

The number of claims have risen steadily, but that has been more than compensated by the rapid increase in the number of cosmetic surgery operations being carried out.

Adam Searle, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said in recent years expectations of what cosmetic surgery could achieve had become unrealistic.

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