School asks students to go under the knife
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Cosmetic surgery holidays are increasing in popularity not only are the cosmetic surgery procedures often cheaper, but patients have the chance to recuperate before showing off the results to friends and family on their return home.
However, overseas cosmetic surgery does not always have a happy ending. In a survey by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, undertaken earlier this year, it was found that there were deep concerns over the growing number of people reporting problems from ‘holiday surgeries’.
Around a third of surgeons questioned found that they had seen a significant rise in ‘repair’ work from botched overseas operations than five years ago, with over 50% reporting a small rise in repair work. An astounding 44% of surgeons had seen at least 3-5 cases of patients requiring further work after having had surgery abroad.
Most of the concerns centred on after-care provisions, the language barrier, and the lower standard of care offered to some patients. Some of the worst cases involved a patient with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) flying too soon after surgery, severe infections, and facelift patients who did not have her stitches removed before flying back to the UK.
The survey showed that no one country stood out as a main culprit patients had their surgery in a raft of different countries ranging from Eastern Europe through to Asia.
Of course, none of this means that cosmetic surgery holidays should be completely avoided however it does highlight the importance of carrying out careful research. It is also important to not feel pressured even with the surgery booked, should you get to the hospital and are unhappy with any aspect of your surgery or the facilities, make your concerns known or simply walk away. Check out our guide to overseas cosmetic surgery here.
22 Comments
Hi, I was just reading the article a”Cosmetic Surgery Abroad – Worth the Risk?”. I recently came back from Argentina. I had Breast implants, tummy tuck and rhinoplasty at The Plastic Surgery Center of Buenos Aires. I am very pleased with the experience and the final results.
I think the important thing for people is to do the the right research and ask the right questions. If possible you must try to speak and meet the with the surgeon prior to making up your mind.
For me it was very important that the doctor was personally accredited by the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, had training in the US, and that the clinic was modern and not run down…
If you are just considering price and al lookingg at a website with pie in the sky promises, you are bound to get into trouble.
Good luck!
Trish Freeman
My friend Michelle introduced me with UK registered company called Kosmeticplus. They providing cosmetic surgery in Lithuania. Michelle had a facelift performed by surgeon Saulius Viksraitis and she is very happy with the results. It cost her 1/3rd price of the UK price.
I have my genitals/labia damaged during my childbirth 25 years ago. I wanted to repair it for so long, but it was so expensive in the UK. So, my op will be held on the 18th of March. I am scared, but looking forward.
hi i want to have a tummy tuck done asap ive spoken to a few people that do it but i just dont know could you plz suggest somewhere.
i had my wife”s breast implantation and figure contouring operation in india through essarmed solutions,i think its best she could have,you my contact if wishing [email protected]
Hi everybody,
My name is Caroline and I am a 52 years old French citizen living in United States Miami.
One year ago I performed my 3rd and final rhinoplasty with excellent results.
I came to my surgeon with a deformed nose, as well as nasal obstruction secondary to a deviated septum, following two previous surgeries.
I was despondent because my nose was disfigured and I didn’t have enough money to pay another nose surgery (7000 US$) in USA.
One year ago I was reading a medical magazine and I found out about medical tourism; I didn’t know that people living in the United States went to other countries for medical or plastic surgery procedures!!
During one week I was looking for specialized agencies in medical tourism on Internet and I compared all the packages they offer: cost, quality, and what guarantee should I expect.
I found many agencies that offer plastic surgery packages to Asia (India, Thailand) and others to South America (Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica).
After comparing agencies, countries, read forum and patients’ testimonials I finally decided to go to Bolivia. The agency that arranged my trip was MAKEOVER TRAVEL.
The surgeon who performed my surgery and his staff were absolutely AWESOME!! This being my 3rd rhinoplasty I was very leery about finally getting the last surgeon’s mishaps taken care of. Until I met there a surgeon who immediately put me at ease and listened to my concerns.
The surgeon initially performed a careful assessment and then proposed a corrective plan tailored to my specific needs. He was extremely thorough in his evaluation, requiring all prior medical records. What particularly impressed me was the fact that he took the time to answer my questions and proceeded with caution, thereby minimizing the chance of causing further damage. I am a highly anxious person, and both surgeon and his staff were extremely patient with me. the surgeon was honest, yet kind, making certain that my expectations were realistic.
I am very happy with the results of my rhynoplasty. After years of contemplating my decision I could not be happier. The work that they do is beautiful and very natural.
I paid for my revision rhinoplasty in Bolivia 1700 US$!!!
I posted my testimonial to help all people who are hopeless or have always dreamed to have a plastic surgery or a revision plastic surgery after a surgery went wrong but who can’t afford a plastic surgery in their country because it is too expensive. In my opinion traveling to another country may be the best solution and a new oportunity of life for them.
I unfortunately discovered that existed medical tourism late!
I think that the benefits of plastic surgery abroad are numerous but the mains benefits include the opportunity to travel to an exotic destination and reaping potentially big monetary savings. Many common operations overseas cost a fraction of what they might cost in the United States!!
I chose the agency MAKEOVERTRAVEL in Bolivia but many other agencies in Argentine, Brazil, or Colombia offer you similar plastic surgery packages.
Hi Caroline, I am looking into rhinoplasty with Makeover travel and as expected I have some concerns, like the communication as I feel through talking to Monic that she doesnt have perfect english. The commitment to actually flying there and having it done, its a big step and having to go over without an initail consultation is quite daunting. I feel they are very professional but still cant get over the price of things, its so cheap compared to here in the uk.
What surgeon did you have and what exactly did you have done?
I want a small bump removed and my nostrils made smaller.
The scars also bother me?
Hope you can help in any way
Regards Brooke x
I am pleased to hear that some people are saying good and positive things about cosmetic surgery abroad, the search for a good surgeon must be done whether you are in your own country or abroad. Good for you and enjoy it
i am also thinking about going to makeover travel to get some work done. i feel real confident about them, but i just wonder why i can’t find anything bad about them i mean you cant pllease everyone all the time can you? haa snyone heard of a bad experience with them
I went last month to Bolivia to have my nose done, I am very happy with the big difference of my nose, its almost perfect and really natural even if it still very swelling.
Monica was also my assistant, she is an amazing person, very caring and sweet.
My surgeon was Dr. Cossio, what a surgeon!I have nothing bad to say about him he is just excellent!
Hi,
Did you get any response to your post? Did you go to Bolivia with Makeover? I’m thinking about using them and I’m a little nervous. I see glowing reports (probably posted by someone that works for them) and one or two terrible ones. Nothing in-between, which makes me concerned.
Any info would be great!
Suki Thomas
[email protected]
if i could go back in time i would never go abroad agin for cosmetic surgery i went to clinic el menzah in tunisia and i came back with a severe deformity and will now cost to fix this is double what it would have cost me in uk in first place.it isnt worth taking the chance and your not legally covered if anything goes wrong so you would be taking a big risk.i hope nobody ends up in my shoes just for a cheaper price
My aunt Clara went with Makeover travel to have an extreme makeover, she said that the hotel was nice, a little small but nice, the attention was good and the surgeon was really good.
I think that I am going to take my mother there because as far as I can see my aunt looks lovely.
Any advice?
If you don’t mind me asking, who did you use? I’m looking to get a mini-face lift done. Had one done in Colombia and was sadly dissappointed.
hi wondering if u could help i have also had surgery in tunisia thats gone wrong just come out of intensive care and coma just wondering if u could help me get in touch with lisa shaw or ali chapmen thanks
Hi Suki,
On December 2010 I was in Bolivia with MakeoverTravel to have a nose job and breast implants surgery.
Unlike the people of this forum I can say there are good things in Bolivia but also bad things.
The positive things are:
– I am very satisfied with the results of my surgery
– Surgeons are very professional
– The price is very good
The bad things are:
– Very few people speak English in Bolivia
– I didn’t like the city of Santa Cruz, boring, nothing to do
– After the surgery we have to stay in the hotel to recover however once in the hotel there is nothing to do and MakeoverTravel doesn’t offer any activity so after 4 days you have nothing to do. You get bored quickly
– Most of nurses don’t speak English (although if it is true that in case of any problem you can call your personal assistant at any moment)
The whole is positive, it was a good experience for me just because my surgery is really worth it and I am very happy with my result and it was the most important for me. But for people that go to Bolivia to visit Santa Cruz…. your visit will last 2 days not more and on December it’s summer, in my opinion too hot to visit the city.
hi, i am having surgery at the same clinic!!! what procedure did you have done??
MakeoverTravel is an excellent choice. I had a reconstructive surgery (complete body lift done in Bolivia after a gastric by pass). I had a tummy tuck, breast lift with implants, liposuction of stomach, chest hips inner and outer thigh, arm lift, and thigh lift done during my trip. I stayed 26 days in Bolivia. It was very terrifying to see my own body during weeks after my surgery but my surgeon reassured me. Today (2 years after my surgery) my scars are very discrete scars and I am very happy with my results. I did my surgeon on May 2008, but I would like to return in Bolivia this year to have full face lift and eyelid surgery. If someone is interested in going there, I am planning to travel around September 2010.
Britney
I was randomly searching online and came across this post. My website is above.
I help patients get medical procedures in South Korea.
Especially for plastic surgery, Korea is the place to be as 50% of women there have had something done.
I know some third world countries are probably really cheap but when it comes to putting a knife into your body, I think you should really find someone that will do a good job.
Medical prices in Korea overall are definitely cheaper than the USA, which is where I am and I can help you find information if you want.
I’m doing this for free as I want to help get great medical help. You’ll understand why when you go to my blog.
Maybe one day I can do this as a business but for now, I’ll help you find a great doctor!
Check out my site!!! Good luck w/ all your searches.
I am thinking to go with Makeover Travel for the second time, I am very happy with my results, I had a face lift, superior blepharoplasty and also breast augmentation last time and I want to have butt augmentation and some liposuction.
Its been like 2 years, now I am ready to continue with my extreme makeover!
I also want to have my teeth done, I think that smile is more important than the body, and this time I want to take the time to go and come back as a new person.
I am also someone honest, it is true that not everything is perfect, I mean we can not think that Bolivia is going to be like US but it is a nice place, the most important is the quality on Cosmetic Surgery suprised me, its amazing!!
I think that go there it really woth it if you are an oper person, if you are going to see everything in a negative way, just forget to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery!
Hi I’m looking at face & eye surgery in Bangkok
or Asia has anyone got any advise, doctors company pls I’m abit lost with so many sites etc
Hello my name is Mario! I would like to know who was your surgeon in Bolivia and operated you nose and I want to go to perform a rhinoplasty. Any information would be great!
I would say it is a good idea to go abroad and have the surgery but ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
When I went to Turkey last year I used http://www.medicaltravelshield.com
Better to be safe then sorry