Medical Plastic Surgery Tourism (10-2010)
You may not have even heard the term, but Medical Tourism, but it’s a phenomenon that been around for a while and getting more and more popular as time goes by. Cosmetic surgery tourism is a price driven. There are any number of companies that combine an all-inclusive vacation with one or more cosmetic surgery procedures. The companies are located worldwide and are very easy to find via a search on the Internet. The services that are offered are usually those that are considered as elective by insurance companies in this country. Most companies attract prospective patients by marketing vacation packages that generally include staying at a private hospital under the care of a "highly trained" and "credentialed" medical staff. Some of the more popular destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Thailand. The vacation packages that they offer as the countries themselves. More and more countries are coming on board this “gravy train” every day, with one of the more recent additions being India.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons acknowledges that there are skilled and credentialed physicians who practice around the world, but they caution against taking the word of the medical tourism company, rather than looking into the qualifications of the medical staff. When a patient is not in the country where the procedure is going to be performed, it is extremely difficult to determine qualifications. The Society warns prospective patients that they may be taking risks by having procedures performed in facilities that may not be accredited, may not be up to the standards in the United States, and may be performed by a medical staff that may not be qualified.
The products and equipment that are used in cosmetic surgery are under strict regulations in this country and must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Other countries may not be as strict about the fair standards as we are in this country. This presents another possible risk factor to the patient.
One of the interesting, “amusing” facts is that plastic surgeons generally recommend that vacation related activities are not, or may not be appropriate after certain types of plastic surgery. Such activities may impact negatively not only on the results of the surgery on the patient’s health. Vacation related activities may compromise patients' health. Cosmetic surgery trips are marketed as vacations. Plastic surgeons agree that it is wise after surgery to stay out of the sun, avoid drinking of alcohol, snorkeling swimming, water-related activities, exercise, and/or extended walking, hiking or sitting in one place. All of these activities, despite the fact that they are contraindicated after surgery, are being “sold” by medical tourism companies.
Any surgery, cosmetic surgery included, requires aftercare by medical professionals. When cosmetic surgery is performed as a part of the vacation package, it increases the risk of infections and other complications. So, not only does a prospective patient put him or herself in jeopardy as far as the healing process is concerned, but also may well find that the result of the surgery does not meet their expectations. Furthermore, because the patient returns to the United States after the procedure, follow-up care, which is an essential part of any surgery, may not be up to par. If there are any problems resulting from the surgery, the patient is left “high and dry,” without recourse, many miles from where the surgery was performed. Stateside plastic surgeons may be less than eager to perform revision surgery to “correct” the work of someone out of the country.
It is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, but it appears from the research available that the patients who avail themselves of medical tourism are not only looking for minimally invasive procedures. Many are looking into more “serious” procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery, and nose reshaping. Reality plastic surgery TV shows are providing extensive public relations/marketing for what are being called "extreme makeovers." The more extensive a surgery is the more chance there is for complications.
With the increased popularity of plastic surgery/medical tourism, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides referrals to international ASPS member surgeons. The ASPS wholeheartedly recommends that if you consider having plastic surgery performed abroad that you look into both the benefits and the risks of doing so. They recommend that you spend an appropriate amount of time questioning the plastic surgeon about how the procedure will be done, what the risks can be, and what are results can be reasonably expected. They suggest that you think carefully and way the benefits and risks of having plastic surgery performed out of the United States.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons acknowledges that there are skilled and credentialed physicians who practice around the world, but they caution against taking the word of the medical tourism company, rather than looking into the qualifications of the medical staff. When a patient is not in the country where the procedure is going to be performed, it is extremely difficult to determine qualifications. The Society warns prospective patients that they may be taking risks by having procedures performed in facilities that may not be accredited, may not be up to the standards in the United States, and may be performed by a medical staff that may not be qualified.
The products and equipment that are used in cosmetic surgery are under strict regulations in this country and must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Other countries may not be as strict about the fair standards as we are in this country. This presents another possible risk factor to the patient.
One of the interesting, “amusing” facts is that plastic surgeons generally recommend that vacation related activities are not, or may not be appropriate after certain types of plastic surgery. Such activities may impact negatively not only on the results of the surgery on the patient’s health. Vacation related activities may compromise patients' health. Cosmetic surgery trips are marketed as vacations. Plastic surgeons agree that it is wise after surgery to stay out of the sun, avoid drinking of alcohol, snorkeling swimming, water-related activities, exercise, and/or extended walking, hiking or sitting in one place. All of these activities, despite the fact that they are contraindicated after surgery, are being “sold” by medical tourism companies.
Any surgery, cosmetic surgery included, requires aftercare by medical professionals. When cosmetic surgery is performed as a part of the vacation package, it increases the risk of infections and other complications. So, not only does a prospective patient put him or herself in jeopardy as far as the healing process is concerned, but also may well find that the result of the surgery does not meet their expectations. Furthermore, because the patient returns to the United States after the procedure, follow-up care, which is an essential part of any surgery, may not be up to par. If there are any problems resulting from the surgery, the patient is left “high and dry,” without recourse, many miles from where the surgery was performed. Stateside plastic surgeons may be less than eager to perform revision surgery to “correct” the work of someone out of the country.
It is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, but it appears from the research available that the patients who avail themselves of medical tourism are not only looking for minimally invasive procedures. Many are looking into more “serious” procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery, and nose reshaping. Reality plastic surgery TV shows are providing extensive public relations/marketing for what are being called "extreme makeovers." The more extensive a surgery is the more chance there is for complications.
With the increased popularity of plastic surgery/medical tourism, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides referrals to international ASPS member surgeons. The ASPS wholeheartedly recommends that if you consider having plastic surgery performed abroad that you look into both the benefits and the risks of doing so. They recommend that you spend an appropriate amount of time questioning the plastic surgeon about how the procedure will be done, what the risks can be, and what are results can be reasonably expected. They suggest that you think carefully and way the benefits and risks of having plastic surgery performed out of the United States.
