You’ve been thinking about having some work done. You’re sure it would make you look younger and help you feel better about yourself. But it’s SO expensive! And there are only a few cases where insurance covers cosmetic surgery–and yours isn’t one of them. So you’re looking at how inexpensive it is, comparatively, in other countries. And wouldn’t it be great to combine it all with some beach time? Is this really a good idea?
Elective plastic surgery, also known as “medical tourism” or “health travel,” is big business–and it’s only getting bigger. Medical tourism is growing worldwide at an estimated rate of 15 to 25 percent, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a respected research firm and clearinghouse for data and information on the health travel industry. However, choosing to have aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgery abroad demands careful planning and decision making.
As with any decision affecting your health, there are pros and cons to any surgery done out of the country. The greatest benefit is the cost savings. By traveling to another country, people can save 40 to 80 percent for plastic surgery, depending on the procedure and the country. Brazil, Japan, Italy, and Mexico are among the top international destinations of choice for cosmetic surgery, with Russia, India, Turkey, Germany, and France completing the top ten, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).
But then–there are the cons:
- Recovery issues. Even when surgery is properly performed, complications are a possibility. Ensure that there is a doctor on call for post-surgery care, and consider who will pay for and perform secondary or revision procedures should the need arise.
- Bad actors. It’s critical for traveling patients to carefully check out and select reputable providers with track records of successful outcomes. Ensuring that the doctor is a member of ISAPS is one way to do this. ISAPS is the largest international society of individual plastic surgeons. Membership is by invitation and is granted to applicants only after extensive screening. You have the right to know if the surgeon is a member of his/her national plastic surgery society, is a board-certified (or the equivalent in that country) plastic surgeon, and is properly trained to perform the procedure you are considering.
Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Tourists
It’s important to carefully plan your medical travel experience so you get the best service and the best outcome possible.
- Pre-consultation. Just as you would if you were doing the surgery here, you should schedule a pre-consultation. This may be conducted by telephone, in person through a local associate or office in your home country, or over the Internet using a service such as Skype or Zoom. Ensure that the surgeon and the clinic or hospital staff who will care for you both before and after your surgery can speak your language or provide interpreters to make sure both sides understand exactly what will happen.
- Fees, Financing & Insurance. Is it really more financially advantageous to travel for surgery? You’ll need to consider a number of factors to make this decision. These include lab work, surgeon’s fees, pre- and post-op consultations, costs associated with the surgical facility, anesthesia, other surgical needs such as breast implants and compression garments, medication, aftercare, travel costs (including airplane tickets, accommodations, transportation on the ground, and time off from work for travel and recovery), and additional medical and travel costs if there is a complication. Remember that your health insurance is highly unlikely to fund any of the costs of an overseas procedure or any complications that happen as a result.
- Recovery, Aftercare & Complications. Where will you be for the first 24 hours post recovery? This is when most complications occur. Find out whether you will be able to return to the clinic should a complication arise. Other considerations are whether the surgery will be compromised in the case of sitting for long periods of time during travel as well as whether you need to avoid sunlight and bathing post operatively.
Before you fly, nip, and tuck, do the necessary research and make a very informed decision rather than having to pay for the consequences if things go wrong.
Written by Joanne Myers
