Is cosmetic surgery tourism dangerous?

Is cosmetic surgery tourism dangerous?
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When you’ve got an important decision to make, it’s worthwhile listing all the plus and minus points. So if you’re hesitating about breast augmentation surgery in Budapest, read on…

The advantages of cosmetic surgery tourism

Saving money. The main idea behind getting a nose job thousands of miles from home isn’t a question of mere curiosity or holiday-making. As most will readily admit, it’s the pound savings that motivate most people. Depending on the country you choose for your cosmetic surgery, a breast augmentation operation can cost between £2000-£25000, compared to £4500-£6000 in the UK – about the same for a face-lift too.

A total experience. Having an operation in an idyllic setting (blue seas and swaying palm trees…) can help one’s overall calm and reduce tension surrounding the surgery. Especially as many of these tour operators also add in some “light” cultural tourism days to the package… Keeping in mind of course, that the aim of the trip is not to scale a mountain face for 8 hours, but to have a surgical operation. The tour organizers do however work to make it as enjoyable as possible rather than a simple airport-clinic-hospital event. Such a setting is also reassuring for those who have a chronic dislike of fear of the whole hospital scene.

The disadvantages of cosmetic surgery tourism

Minimal psychological support. Getting a new nose or face is not a banal event in any person’s life and can be psychologically challenging. This implies that the decision should be well thought out and discussed with the surgeon, who can assess a patient’s state of mind and the appropriateness of the desired intervention. If you visit a serious cosmetic surgeon in the UK, you could even find your surgery being refused, but it is pretty rare that a foreign doctor will question your choices or motivation once the surgery is “booked and paid for”, no matter how fragile your mental state or unreasonable your surgery expectations.

This is particularly true, as your first face-to-face meeting with the surgeon is usually only the day before the scheduled surgery. All of which leaves little time for a good long think… and which can leave a feeling of having "subjected" to a surgery, where it all happened much too fast.  Thus, having cosmetic surgery in a foreign country is not adapted for those who need support from their surgeon, who will know how to reassure and advise, so that the surgery is done under the best possible conditions.  If at all possible, try to avoid agencies that demand agreement and full payment BEFORE actually meeting the surgeon and discussing the proposed surgery.

Lack of post-surgery care. While most of the cosmetic surgery tour operators talk about dedicated “remote” follow-up, keep in mind that any exchanges with your surgeon can only be by mail or telephone once you’re back home. The surgeon will only be able to assess your post-surgery situation by what you are telling him or by photo... And this is where The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) really points the finger, as it’s where the wheels can really fall off cosmetic surgery tourism – if you are unlucky enough to have post-operative complications – all of which will need to be treated, and paid for, in the UK.

Overseas cosmetic surgery due diligence

Take your time and do your research and due diligence to make sure that you operation and the end result will bring about a positive change in your life – both psychologically and physically.

• Read the small print: be extremely careful before signing any agreement, that there is a back-out period, that the package is all-inclusive (no surprise extra payments once you get there), and that the cost of treating any resulting complications, or necessary follow-ups is covered;

• Check the surgeon/clinic: be very diligent about checking the credential of the surgeon who will operate on you, and make sure that you will be discussing your surgery directly with him before signing the contract, and meeting with him face-to-face before your surgery. Try to get in contact with previous patients to find out about the best clinics, with a majority of happy customers.  Check the clinic’s credentials and their insurance cover, so that in the very unfortunate case of a problem, you can actually make a claim and be paid damages;

In all cases, cosmetic surgery is not to be taken lightly, and whether you are operated in the UK or overseas, very really health risks are a possibility. Know that if you are operated in a shoddy fashion or under a shoddy financial agreement, the overall pound costs, not to mention the anguish, will far outweigh the thrill of an exotic voyage and the initially discounted surgery.

• Baaps has put together customer safety guidelines for those considering both UK and overseas cosmetic surgery. 

Anne-Flore Gaspar, Jane Banham

More information:
Cosmetic surgery: disappointed with the result?
Cosmetic surgery: don't ignore the risks
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