Plastic surgery tourism is fast becoming a popular trend that may not be the best thing for you. According to the CDC, about 750,000 United States residents travel to another country for medical care every year. Plastic surgery is one of the most common types of procedures performed on medical tourism trips. If you are considering a plastic surgery tourism trip, you may want to reconsider and have it done right here in the good old U.S. of A. Anytime you have plastic surgery in another country, you have a higher risk of complications because not all countries follow the same surgical safety precautions that surgeons in the U.S. follow. Keep reading to learn 4 specific reasons why you shouldn't have plastic surgery abroad:
1. Traveling right after surgery significantly increases the risk of complications.
Surgery is a trauma to the body, which requires time to heal. When you go on a surgical vacation, you usually don't have much time to rest before you need to jump back onto a plane to come home. Both long flights and surgery greatly increases the risk of developing blood clots that can result in a pulmonary embolism. Blood clots and embolisms are just two complications of traveling right after surgery. You will also be in a lot of pain, which is exasperated during long plane flights. You could also get a partially collapsed lung, infection, or muscle atrophy. You will experience severe fatigue and weakness. There are also side effects from the anesthesia, which include sore throat, nausea, and sleepiness to contend with. Don't put yourself in this situation. Instead, have your surgery at the local hospital and recover in the comfort of your own home. In doing so, you will reduce your risk of complications.
2. You may not be legally protected in the United States.
Plastic surgery procedures aren't always regulated in other countries, like they are in the United States. There are no laws in the U.S. that protect people who have had plastic surgery in another country. Also, many other countries don't mandate the qualifications or training of doctors who perform cosmetic surgery. If surgical negligence has occurred, there may be no legal recourse.
3. Taking part in vacation-related activities after having a procedure can compromise your health.
Cosmetic surgery tourism packages are marketed as vacations, but vacation-related activities should be avoided after surgery to allow the body to heal properly. You need to rest, often remaining in bed for several days to a few weeks, to ensure proper healing and reduce your risk of complications.
4. Bargain surgery may not be a bargain at all.
One of the biggest reasons patients travel abroad for cosmetic surgery is that it can be significantly less expensive than having that same procedure in the United States. But keep in mind that when you have plastic surgery in another country you also have to pay for plane tickets, accommodations, medical supplies, medicine, food, and other items while you are abroad. Since your risk of complications is higher when having surgery in another country, you should plan for all of the possible additional costs. All of these expenses will probably be more than the price of the initial procedure if it was originally performed in the States.
You have just learned about 4 specific reasons why you shouldn't have plastic surgery in another country. If you have any other questions, contact your primary care physician or schedule a consultation with a local plastic surgeon such as Andrew Trussler, MD.
Share21 October 2014
After my thirtieth birthday, I began to notice some unappealing signs of aging on my face. I started to see dark spots and fine lines. Because I wanted to turn back time, I researched non-invasive cosmetic procedures to help people look younger. I was immediately intrigued by microdermabrasion. I began getting microdermabrasion treatments regularly. After each treatment, my skin instantly looked smoother and more vibrant. Within a few weeks, the fine lines under my eyes and around my mouth became less noticeable. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most popular types of cosmetic treatments performed on patients today. Enjoy!