Travel & Plastic Surgery aka Medical Tourism
April 21, 2010
You have to realize that cosmetic surgery is real surgery, and every surgery has some risks, even at the highest level of care right here in the U.S. Infections are the most common complication seen in patients who go abroad for cosmetic surgery (and the bacteria can be particularly nasty). Another common complication I have seen in those who have gone abroad are unsightly scars, especially after tummy tucks. Also, travel too soon after surgery significantly increases the risk of complications such as blood clots, which can be fatal. I tell my patients to wait about 7 – 14 days before flying, depending on the procedure.
Here’s another point: if you were to have cosmetic surgery abroad, once you return to the United States, who would you go to for your follow-up care and monitoring? This is a very important part of any surgery. It is difficult to find a qualified plastic surgeon to treat a problem or revise a procedure that was done abroad. I have had to revise several of these surgeries: the initial technique used by the foreign doctor was substandard, and the revision surgery was more complicated than the initial operation! If you were to have complications, your bargain surgery will end up being very costly.
Here is a short video discussing the topic:
The medical tourism pendulum has begun to swing back to the United States, where board certified surgeons are able to provide good follow-up care and monitoring. My advice to you is to make an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation. He or she will discuss with you the risks associated with the surgery, as well as the options of in-office or hospital procedures. Because cosmetic surgery is rarely covered by insurance, many plastic surgeons offer financing plans to their patients. Talk to your surgeon about your payment options.
Schedule your consultation today!
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