Plastic Surgery Abroad Is an Operation, Not a Vacation

Cosmetic Surgery Abroad

I totally agree that there are well qualified plastic surgeons worldwide. So why the hesitation?

Let's assume that you have done careful research and found a highly qualified physician with excellent medical facilities and equipment standards.

You know you can save money going abroad, but there are still other factors to consider.

You will need post-operative care. Sometimes this is short term, but at other times a complication might arise. How long are you willing to stay in this foreign country waiting for complete recovery?

Even routine post-op care (such as changing dressings and monitoring healing) can be necessary for several weeks—long after your “vacation” is over.

Now here is a second thought to ponder. What if, after several months have passed, you begin to notice that your eyes have healed just a bit unevenly or your tummy could do with a little less fat. Even if your surgeon has assured you that any needed revision surgery would be covered under his initial fee, are you willing to take another flight to return abroad for just a touch up? Or would you decide to "make do" rather than repeat your surgical vacation safari experience?

Finally, although traveling to a foreign country for vacation surgery sounds exotic and fun, vacations are rarely compatible with surgery. You need to heal. You need to rest. Trust me, you won't want to be going off sight seeing in the weeks following surgery, nor would it be in your best interest to do so. Will you be happy being holed up in a hotel room far from home, distant from family and friends? Maybe you will be fine with that kind of isolation - content to rest, read a good book or two, and be pampered by strangers. But most surgeons encourage their patients to get out and mingle with friends and family as soon as possible. They know isolation dampens the spirits while being surrounded by loved ones helps lift one out of the doldrums.

So think it through carefully

· Is the physician qualified?

· Are his medical facility and equipment safe?

· How will my post-operative care, including complications, be handled?

· What are the potential risks and side effects for the particular

procedure(s) I am considering?

· How long am I willing (or able) to stay abroad?

· Are vacation and travel activities compatible with my health and the type

surgery I will undergo?

By Lois W. Stern

Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY

The above comments are excerpted from my Sept. 2007 newsletter posted at:

http://www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com/Newsletter.html.

Plastic Surgery Abroad

I have had 2 experiences with foreign surgery - one in Mexico and the other in Brazil. Both were good experiences with highly qualified medical professionals. I would do the same operations again. I would agree that research and independent advice are essential for a positive experience. Also it's very important to get referrals and speak to the patients who have already done the procedure that you're planning to do. But do keep your eyes open and don't leave your brains at the border. www.makeoverbrazil.com

Medical Tourism

As an independent patient consultant for plastic surgery, with over 12 years of experience, I have seen horror stories world-wide. Good common sense has no geographical boundaries. The US does not have a patent on safe plastic surgery. Fear is not the message that we need to communicate. Research and independent advice is the best way to ensure a positive plastic surgery experience domestically or abroad. Multiple procedures increase a patients risk for complications. Even in the US plastic surgery is not a vacation. Knowledge, not greed, or personal desire should be the basis for any plastic surgery decision, regardless of where it is performed. www.AngelaSegal.com