3 Questions to Ask Before Traveling Abroad for Cosmetic Surgery
Top plastic surgeons in NYC and across the U.S. will advise you not to have plastic surgery outside the country. The main reason is your safety and satisfaction.
If you have a cynical streak, you might think plastic surgeons give this input in order not to lose prospective patients. Indeed that may occasionally be the case, perhaps with a doctor who’s just starting out in private practice. But let’s face it: plastic surgeons hold consultations with people who end up not becoming patients for a variety of reasons. Losing a few to international travel is not going to break a practice.
Here are the leading questions U.S.-based plastic surgeons want patients to consider before committing to a procedure outside the U.S.
Will it Be Safe?
It can be challenging to understand just what you’re getting when you choose to work with a doctor in another country, particularly when there’s a language barrier. If you do a little research you can readily understand the benefits of working with a U.S. plastic surgeon who’s certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. But are there similar organizations in other countries? And just what are their requirements?
It may also be difficult to evaluate the cleanliness, equipment, staff and certification of a foreign hospital or surgery center. Here, you know if the facility is approved by the Joint Commission or an organization that evaluates ambulatory surgical centers, appropriate standards have been met.
What Options Will I Have if Something Goes Wrong?
If you experience a complication during your immediate recovery, you’ll be dealing with the medical community in another country. This could cause additional stress at a time when you don’t need it. Not only that, if you should end up unhappy with your results, you may have a difficult time figuring out what your options are in another country, and an even more difficult time managing the issue once you return home.
One thing many patients don’t realize is that it’s not unusual for a U.S. plastic surgeon to be reluctant to treat people returning from plastic surgery abroad. In providing aftercare, a U.S. doctor assumes responsibility for the patient and his or her satisfaction. Many are not eager to do that when they don’t know much about the initial surgeon, facility and procedure.
How Much Money Will I Really Save?
It could be that when you tally all the costs associated with traveling, you may not save all that much by having plastic surgery abroad. Along with air travel, ground transportation and meals, don’t forget to include expenses such as vaccines, entertainment, laundry, taxes and tips. And consider the possibility that you may need to stay longer than expected, risking airline ticket penalties.
If you’re lucky enough to have a travel companion who will pay their own way, that could be helpful. But chances are you may shoulder some of the costs of having a friend or family member with you. And don’t even think about going alone. Everyone needs a little help during initial recovery from plastic surgery—this is especially true when you’re far from home.
Finally, it’s quite possible that you will need to find a plastic surgeon to assist you once you return. Even if you don’t need a full revision, you may want some help with excess swelling, some minor fine-tuning or even just a consultation. If this happens, it will impact any savings you’ve realized.
Plastic surgery in the U.S. is not inexpensive, that goes without saying. But even when performed for purely aesthetic reasons, plastic surgery is still surgery. The inherent risks, possible complications and recovery challenges still apply. Do you want to shoulder these in a country that’s not your own?
