Minimizing Cosmetic Surgery Abroad Risk

If you are considering going under the knife, you should be under no illusions about the risks involved. Even the most minor of operations can have complications or have things go wrong. Even in countries with strong regulation, there are cases of incompetent doctors being struck off after botching cosmetic surgery procedures and so if problems happen abroad in a country where English is not widely spoken, your cosmetic surgery experience could rapidly turn into a nightmare.

The biggest complaint of cosmetic surgery is that the end result is not what the patient had envisaged. Many people will also experience scarring, wrinkled or puckered skin, or oddly shaped body parts. In some extreme cases, further surgery may be required to correct defects which happen due to the original surgery. These complications may mean you need to spend more money, and this is something which can be difficult to arrange aboard.

Many people are opting to go abroad for their plastic surgery – not only do they get a holiday, they are away from their friends and family so they cannot see what they have had done, and the costs are often far cheaper than in their home country. However, in many places that are rapidly becoming medical tourist hotspots, the cosmetic surgery industry is not well regulated.

So, if you are planning on becoming a medical tourist, what is the best way to go about it? Generally speaking, countries at the more expensive end of the scale (UK, US, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Spain etc) will be well-regulated and there will be less chance of having a poor surgeon. As you start to go towards the cheaper end of the scale, more caution is needed.

ComseticSurgeryBible.com's top tips are:

1. Rely on word of mouth and make sure the recommendations are impartial. Do not be fooled by sleek advertising – do your research thoroughly. Adverts can be incredibly misleading.
2. Never look for surgery on price alone. If something looks much cheaper than anywhere else, steer well clear. Check what is included in the price – some prices may be for surgery alone and not take post-operative expenses into account. You don’t want to be hit with a surprise bill during your recovery!
3. Check that your prospective surgeon is qualified and certified. Try and establish the credentials of the board that issued his certificates.
4. Ensure your prospective surgeon speaks good English, or has a good translator on hand – you will want to know exactly what will happen to you, and the surgeon should be able to answer all your questions
5. Insist on a face-to-face consultation with the surgeon before agreeing to any procedure. This will help make sure you have full faith in the surgeon before he operates – if you have any doubts, do not go ahead with surgery
6. Check what post-operative care is available. Check how often the surgeon will see you and if you will require any check-ups in the future. Ask what happens if you experience any complications once you get home. Ask if you need to return for further operations whether the surgeon will do them free of charge.