If you have found this article, you may have decided not to have cosmetic surgery abroad. You may be aware of people who have travelled abroad to have cosmetic surgery to save money, or you may have come across tragic stories of patients being the victims of botched cosmetic surgery in countries such as Turkey. You may even have been on a flight recently surrounded by postoperative Brazilian butt lift patients, with a recent passenger on a flight from Miami recounting her experience here. (external link)
It is not our purpose to criticise getting cosmetic surgery outside of the UK. There are several examples of world-famous surgeons in many other parts of the world who provide outstanding levels of patient care and deliver fantastic outcomes. This includes countries such as Turkey, India, Russia, Brazil, Romania, and the USA. Many people may have relatives who live in any one of these countries, and you may feel more comfortable having surgery in a particular country, especially if you speak the language and are familiar with the local customs and norms.
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Having said that, cosmetic surgery tourism has grown in popularity over the last few years and is directly related to getting cheap surgery. We cannot emphasise how important it is never to compromise your safety to pursue a cheap bargain procedure. Choosing to have cosmetic surgery could be one of the most important decisions you could make in your lifetime. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to choose the right surgeon and clinic to get the best outcomes with high levels of patient safety.
Here, we cover some of the key areas that make cosmetic surgery tourism a risky undertaking.
Cosmetic surgery standards and regulatory framework
The UK is known for having stringent medical standards and clear guidelines on who can perform certain plastic surgery procedures. Although the cost of plastic surgery procedures will differ, depending on where you live in the UK, the general standard of medical care is considered to be high wherever you choose to have your procedure. Unfortunately, this is not the case in other countries such as Turkey. The healthcare authorities do not have a robust regulatory framework despite the surge in popularity of several cosmetic surgery procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck, or a BBL.
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Your plastic surgeon’s qualifications and experience
We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to carry out detailed research before choosing a particular plastic surgeon to perform your cosmetic surgery procedure. It is important to know the surgeon’s level of experience in a particular procedure, as well as how many cosmetic surgery procedures they’ve carried out and what type of results have been achieved.
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It is never a bad idea to ask plenty of questions at the consultation and to ask to view before and after photos of similar patients who are undergoing the procedure you are interested in. It would be best if you had a clear idea of what you are looking to achieve and be able to articulate that to the surgeon. The consultation serves as a two-way exchange of ideas, information and advice, and this helps to build a strong rapport with the surgeon. After all, you are placing significant trust in their ability to produce the results you are hoping to achieve.
For British patients who choose to have the surgery in Eastern Europe or Turkey, several potential barriers exist, including difficulty understanding the native language and uncertainty about the standards of care in that country. Medical standards of care are known to vary even within developed countries such as the UK, France, or Germany.
In the UK, it is still possible for unregulated practitioners to perform cosmetic injectable treatments, including dermal fillers, without having a medical qualification or being under the supervision of a doctor. This is despite the regulatory framework for surgical procedures being of a high standard.
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Getting support during the recovery process after surgery
It is not uncommon to need more post-operative help than you may have anticipated after having cosmetic surgery. Most plastic surgery procedures will require you to take at least one week off work as a minimum. Some procedures, such as a tummy tuck, may require a minimum of two weeks off work. You will also need someone to help you during the first few days after surgery. It is vital to take time out to rest and recover during the first couple of weeks following surgery to ensure a smooth healing and achieve the best results.
Getting proper support after surgery can be difficult, if not impossible if you decide to have cosmetic surgery overseas away from friends and family. You should also avoid boarding a flight very soon after a surgical procedure, as this can significantly increase the risk of postoperative complications. This is particularly true after having a BBL, where patients cannot sit on their bum for at least two weeks.
Here at Centre for Surgery, we recommend having your cosmetic surgery procedure in your home country. Once you have fully recovered and are pleased with the results, you can then treat yourself to a wonderful holiday abroad and show off your new body with newfound confidence.
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Cosmetic Surgery at Centre for Surgery in London
Centre for Surgery in London is recognised as one of the leading plastic surgery clinics in the UK. Our experienced cosmetic surgeons have years of experience carrying out the full range of plastic surgery procedures, including rhinoplasty, facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks. We are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. In a previous inspection, the CQC described our postoperative care as ‘outstanding’.
If you would like to learn more about having cosmetic surgery at Centre for Surgery, call us today on 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable Patient coordinators will be more than happy to act as your personal point of contact throughout your patient journey.
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