Plastic Surgeon Dr Costantino Davide Sanctioned Over Patient Safety: West London 2026

Key Points

• Sanctions Imposed: The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) has placed Dr Costantino Davide under immediate conditions for 24 months.
• Clinical Failings: The tribunal found Dr Davide failed to advise a patient on critical surgical risks, specifically regarding her high Body Mass Index (BMI) and the necessity of smoking cessation.
• Supervision Requirement: Dr Davide must now work under the supervision of a General Medical Council (GMC) approved clinical supervisor.
• Employer Defence: His employer maintains that the failings were “administrative or communicative” rather than a reflection of his surgical competence.
• Patient Case: The investigation centred on a bilateral blepharoplasty and facelift performed on ‘Patient A’ in February 2022.

London (The Londoner News) May 14, 2026 – A consultant plastic surgeon operating across prestigious clinics in West London, including Kensington and Chelsea, has had restrictive conditions placed upon his medical registration following a tribunal’s finding that his care fell “far below the standards expected.” Dr Costantino Davide was found to have neglected fundamental pre-operative safety protocols, most notably failing to inform a patient that her smoking habit and Body Mass Index (BMI) posed significant risks to her surgical recovery. While the tribunal determined that an immediate 24-month period of conditional practice was necessary to protect the public, Dr Davide’s employer has defended his clinical record, categorising the incident as an isolated failure in communication rather than a lack of technical surgical skill.

Who is Dr Costantino Davide and what are the allegations?

Dr Costantino Davide is a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeon who has built a significant reputation within the London private healthcare sector. Known for performing complex aesthetic procedures, his practice spans several high-profile areas, including Kensington and Chelsea.

However, his professional conduct came under intense scrutiny following a series of complaints regarding his management of a patient, referred to in legal documents as ‘Patient A’.

The crux of the allegations involved a surgical suite of procedures performed on 12 February 2022. On this date, Dr Davide conducted a bilateral blepharoplasty—an operation to remove excess skin or fat from the eyelids—alongside a comprehensive facelift.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) was tasked with investigating whether Dr Davide had adequately prepared the patient for the risks inherent in such invasive cosmetic surgery.

What were the specific findings of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service?

According to the formal findings of the MPTS panel, as documented by regulatory reporters, Dr Davide failed in his duty of candour and clinical preparation.

The tribunal heard evidence that the surgeon did not adequately address two primary “red flag” factors that significantly increase the likelihood of post-operative complications: the patient’s BMI and her status as a smoker.

Medical guidelines for elective aesthetic surgery typically dictate that patients must be informed if their weight places them at a higher risk for anaesthetic complications or poor wound healing. Furthermore, it is a standard clinical requirement for patients undergoing facelifts to cease smoking at least three to four weeks prior to the procedure.

Smoking constricts blood vessels, which can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death) and severe scarring in facial surgery. As reported by the tribunal chair, Dr Davide failed to ensure Patient A was aware of these risks or to insist on the necessary lifestyle changes before proceeding with the operation.

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Why did the tribunal impose immediate conditions for 24 months?

The decision to impose conditions rather than a total suspension or erasure from the medical register suggests that the tribunal viewed Dr Davide’s failings as remediable, yet serious enough to warrant active monitoring.

The 24-month conditional period is designed to act as a safeguard for the public while allowing the doctor to continue practicing under strict oversight.

As detailed in the GMC’s fitness to practise records, the conditions mandate that Dr Davide must be supervised by a GMC-approved clinical supervisor. He is also required to engage in a Personal Development Plan (PDP) specifically targeting his communication skills and pre-operative assessment protocols.

The tribunal noted that by failing to advise Patient A correctly, Dr Davide had deprived her of the opportunity to make a fully informed decision about her health, thereby falling “far below” the professional standards expected of a consultant in his position.

How has Dr Davide’s employer responded to the sanction?

In the wake of the tribunal’s ruling, Dr Davide’s employer—which operates several clinics where he has held admitting privileges—issued a statement aimed at clarifying the nature of the findings. The employer sought to draw a sharp distinction between the surgeon’s manual dexterity in the operating theatre and his administrative duties in the consulting room.

As reported by local media outlets covering the West London healthcare beat, a spokesperson for the employer stated:

“The outcome of the tribunal demonstrates an administrative or communicative shortcoming on this occasion, rather than a finding of incompetence in surgical technique.”

The statement further emphasised that no evidence was presented to suggest the physical execution of the surgery was flawed. Instead, the employer framed the issue as a failure in the “informed consent” process.

They maintained that Dr Davide remains a skilled practitioner whose technical abilities were not the primary subject of the tribunal’s reprimand.

What are the risks of high BMI and smoking in plastic surgery?

To understand the severity of the tribunal’s concern, one must look at the clinical guidelines governing aesthetic medicine in the UK. As noted by various medical experts cited in the proceedings, a high BMI increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms during and after surgery.

Regarding smoking, the risks are even more localized for facelift patients. As reported by health correspondents following the case, the MPTS highlighted that nicotine use reduces oxygen flow to the skin flaps created during a facelift.

If a surgeon does not insist on a patient stopping smoking at least three weeks prior to surgery, they risk the skin “failing to take,” which can lead to permanent disfigurement. The tribunal found that Dr Davide’s failure to document or deliver these warnings constituted a significant breach of the “Good Medical Practice” guidelines.

What does “Supervised Practice” mean for a consultant surgeon?

The imposition of a clinical supervisor is a significant hurdle for a private consultant. Under the conditions listed by the GMC, Dr Davide cannot perform consultations or surgeries without a designated supervisor overseeing his case management.

This supervisor must submit regular reports to the GMC detailing Dr Davide’s compliance with safety standards and his ability to communicate risks to patients effectively.

This level of scrutiny is often reserved for doctors where there is a perceived “gap” in their professional judgment. By enforcing this for two years, the MPTS ensures that Dr Davide’s future patients are not subjected to the same lack of information experienced by Patient A.

Is this an isolated incident for West London private healthcare?

The case has reignited discussions regarding the regulation of the private cosmetic surgery industry in London. While Dr Davide’s employer maintains this was an isolated “communicative” error, patient advocacy groups often point to such cases as evidence of the need for more stringent enforcement of pre-operative protocols.

As reported by various journalists covering the GMC’s annual statistics, the pressure to proceed with private elective surgeries can sometimes lead to a “rounding off” of clinical risks.

However, the MPTS’s firm stance in the Davide case serves as a reminder that the GMC makes no distinction between NHS and private practice when it comes to the necessity of informed consent.

What is the current status of Dr Davide’s medical registration?

As of the latest update from the General Medical Council, Dr Costantino Davide remains on the medical register, but his status is listed as “Registered with conditions.” These conditions are public and can be viewed by any prospective patient through the GMC’s ‘List of Registered Medical Practitioners’.

The 24-month period will involve periodic reviews. If Dr Davide fails to meet the requirements set out by the tribunal or if further complaints arise, he could face more severe disciplinary action, including a full suspension of his licence to practise. For now, he continues to operate within the London area, albeit under the watchful eye of a clinical supervisor and the regulatory body.