Dangers of Cosmetic Surgeries Abroad
A rise in the popularity of cosmetic surgeries in recent years as a result of marketised treatments from celebrities and influencers has seen an increased number of patients travelling overseas in order to save money on cosmetic procedures.
With travel restrictions having eased post Coronavirus, this trend is on the rise again with thousands of Britons each year searching for a new body at a reduced price tag. But what are the risks of medical tourism and how serious are they? We’ve spoken to Dr Omar Tillo, Cosmetic Surgeon and founder of the CREO Clinic who has sat down with us to breakdown the most important factors in play when considering cosmetic surgeries abroad.
No matter how luxurious a plastic surgery holiday may seem, there are major risks associated with travelling for cosmetic procedures. In fact, medical bodies like the NHS and BAAPS all strongly advise against having plastic surgery abroad, and for good reason. It’s your health and wellbeing on the line, so you must be informed and make a personal decision if the following risks are genuinely worth it for you. Below are my 4 key points to consider when thinking of travelling for surgery:
1. Not everything you see online is truthful
Sadly, the cosmetic surgery tourism industry is not above massaging the truth to lure patients to medical tourism hotspots, including Turkey, Poland or Thailand. Unscrupulous online marketing tactics are unregulated, meaning that the hundreds of positive reviews you see on consumer sites could be fake. What looks like a premium facility may really only be an illusion created by elaborate and aggressive marketing.
2. Language barriers and standards of practice
There are different criteria in other countries as well as different medical societies and organisations that monitor and maintain medical standards. This, plus distance and any translating wants and needs from one language to another, can make it incredibly difficult to determine a surgeon’s level of certification. Even if a surgeon is highly skilled, a patient may find that their expectations for their results are still difficult to communicate when they’re in a different country or time zone to their surgeon without even considering a language barrier.
3. Traveling is stressful & potentially dangerous post-operatively
Many medical tourists will forget about the return journey and the complications that can come with long-distance travel following a recent surgery. Flying within the same week of a cosmetic procedure can greatly increase the chances of blood clots, which could lead to deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism.
4. Aftercare:
Following surgery, all patients require a direct point of contact to discuss their recovery. Even without complications, the majority of patients experience a variety of expected and unexpected symptoms or concerns in the first weeks after surgery. It is essential that these patients discuss these issues clearly with their care providers and have a physical examination to check for any problems and complications. Overseas clinics often provide short period follow-up and do not provide follow-up treatments. It is impossible to perform a physical examination if needed without travelling back.