Offshore plastic surgery
The number of plastic surgery disasters overseas is so small but the coverage in the media is disproportionately higher – many experts believe that the lobby of cosmetic surgeons in the United States is just so powerful that it can easily scare Americans not to explore cheaper surgery options abroad. Granted that there are risks overseas but the situation is equally dire here at home – dentists pumping Botox, gynecologists perfoming liposuction, and all kinds of safety procedures compromised due to greed and poor control systems.
Now, there is some good news for those of you who want to pay less for a procedure without worrying about safety. So whether you want to go to Britain, Argentina, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico or Venezuela, you can now go to a surgeon who has the same credentials as those in the United States. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) has not only started to provide certification to clinics abroad, it is also telling travelers how to offshore your surgery. Here are a few questions to ask when you pick your surgeon:
- What is the surgeon’s training? A gynecologist performing a breast augmentation or a dermatologist doing a face lift are not appropriate choices.
- Is the plastic surgeon certified? The ISAPS website lists the names and addresses of nearly 1,500 certified plastic surgeons in 73 countries.
- Is the surgery center or clinic certified? Ask for certification information and who the certifying body is.
- Does your personal health insurance cover you outside your country? Most health insurance providers do not cover individuals for surgery performed outside their own country. Consider obtaining extra coverage.
- What about aftercare? Patients should stay in the area where the surgery was performed for at least one week, depending on the procedure. Find out in advance where you will stay and if this facility is prepared to care for your post operative needs.
- What about complications? Who is performing the surgery? Is it the doctor you are talking to or a technician? What doctor will care for you at home if you have complications and, who will pay for secondary or revision
procedures?
- Do the key personnel at the surgeon’s office speak your language fluently? If you cannot be understood fully, be prepared for complications.
- With whom are you communicating? You should be talking directly with the doctor’s staff and the doctor. A travel agent should only make travel and accommodations arrangements.
- Is the surgeon a member of recognized national and international societies? ISAPS membership is by invitation and is granted only after extensive screening.
- Have you checked for references? Ask for names and contact information of patients who have recently had a similar procedure and contact them about their experience with the surgeon, their staff, aftercare facilities and post-operative follow up.
Related
Questions for consultation with a plastic surgeon
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