The Dangers of Medical Tourism per Dr. Deutsch

Medical tourism is when patients travel to another country for medical care, often to save money. While the lower cost may seem appealing, the risks can include inconsistent standards, limited follow-up care, and complications that are harder to manage.

Traveling abroad for plastic surgery is becoming more and more popular as accessibility is increasing and the opportunity to save money is appealing to some. There are several reasons why you might be tempted to catch a flight for a facelift and some people have found that the cost of surgery, travel, food and lodging altogether is cheaper than the price of surgery alone in the United States.

What you may not know is that there are several downfalls to traveling abroad for plastic surgery. These health tourism dangers can have a serious impact on your well-being if they are not taken into account when considering your options. Understanding the medical tourism risks before traveling for surgery can help patients make safer decisions. Let’s take a look at four primary reasons why you should not travel abroad for plastic surgery.

What Does It Mean When Different Countries Have Different Standards?

Different countries have different standards for surgeon training, licensing, and patient safety. That means traveling for surgery may come with risks that are not always obvious at first.

There are many requirements to be a plastic surgeon in the United States, and the schooling is quite extensive and intense. This ensures that each surgeon is well prepared for any plastic surgery they perform.

However, this standard is not the same in other countries. Requirements to be a plastic surgeon in other countries might not be as rigorous and selective as in the United States. This could potentially mean that a plastic surgeon you choose in a different country might not have an adequate amount of education, experience or skill. It’s important to do thorough research on a country’s requirements for plastic surgeons before you choose to travel to that specific country for your plastic surgery.

It is also important to do research on the surgeon you are considering so that you can have the assurance that they have gone through the proper training and have extensive experience. Do not completely rely on referrals from others who have traveled abroad for plastic surgery. Just because their experience went well with a surgeon or facility, does not mean that you will have the same experience. If you were to end up having a bad experience abroad, it could be harder to take legal action.

Dr. Deutsch is a board-certified plastic surgeon which means he specializes in Plastic Surgery and completes ongoing continuing education courses so that he can maintain his expertise in state-of-the-art procedures. Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Deutsch are also trained to evaluate patient safety, manage complications, and provide care tailored to each person’s needs.

Why Does Facility Accreditation Matter?

Facility accreditation helps show that a surgical center meets accepted standards for cleanliness, equipment, staffing, and patient safety.

Many surgical facilities outside of the United States may not be fully accredited – meaning they may not meet the standards for cleanliness or safety that hospitals and surgery centers here in the U.S. must adhere to. Just in the past year, there have been far too many reports of rampant bacterial and fungal infections reported in some of these facilities outside of the U.S.

Furthermore, patients will have a hard time finding an attorney here in the U.S. if they wish to sue these facilities.

This is one of the biggest risks of medical tourism because patients may not know whether a facility follows the same safety protocols they would expect at home.

Why Is Meeting Your Surgeon Before Surgery So Important?

Meeting your surgeon before surgery allows you to ask questions, review your goals, and better understand the procedure, recovery, and overall care plan.

One concern with traveling abroad is that you may not be able to meet your surgeon face-to-face until the day of surgery.

Meeting your plastic surgeon before your scheduled appointment is extremely important as it will allow your Doctor to fully assess your needs and wants. You will be able to ask questions and get to know your doctor so that you feel secure in your decision before your procedure.

While you may be able to have a virtual appointment, you won’t have the opportunity to assess the facility and get a true understanding of what the post-op experience will be like in a foreign country where they may or may not speak your language. Most surgeons meet for a consultation before they will take you on as a client, so if you are interested in a surgeon from outside of the United States that does not require a consultation before surgery, this could be a red flag.

Why Can Post-Operative Complications Be Harder To Manage?

Post-operative complications can be harder to manage when your surgeon is in another country and follow-up care is limited once you return home.

If you do choose to travel abroad for plastic surgery, the surgery itself might go splendidly. However, what happens when you need care after the surgery? It can be difficult to navigate how long you stay in the country you traveled to in case there are any post-operation complications. It may seem more cost-effective to travel outside of the United States for plastic surgery, but aftercare can be just as costly, if not more expensive, given the fact that many different countries do not take health insurance from the United States.

In addition to this, when you do come back to the United States after your surgery, it could be difficult to get in touch with your surgeon if you do have any questions. Another factor to think about is the lack of emergency contacts in foreign countries. If complications should arise while you are still abroad, you might not have anyone with you to help care for you while you recover from surgery. You would not want to stay too long in a foreign country in case you do not have someone to aid you while you rest, but it is also risky to immediately fly back home after surgery.

Here are the main benefits of staying local for surgery:

• Easier access to your surgeon before and after the procedure
• Better continuity of care during recovery
• Clearer communication about risks and expectations
• Faster help if complications develop
• Less stress related to travel during healing

Is Traveling Abroad For Plastic Surgery Worth The Risk?

While the decision is personal, many patients find that the lower upfront cost is not worth the added medical, financial, and recovery risks.

So, what is the right answer? Should you travel abroad for plastic surgery? While the answer to that is completely up to you, we do not recommend it here at Atlanta plastic surgery. We have seen far too many cases where patients have traveled abroad just to come into our office days, weeks or even months later to correct the procedure or deal with complications that arose from seeking care in another country.

The world of plastic surgery is rapidly evolving and, as it does, the benefits and the risks are constantly changing. As a US board-certified surgeon and the founder of Perimeter Plastic Surgery, Dr. Deutsch offers a wide array of plastic surgery procedures. Please call our office at (404) 255-0886 or fill out a form to schedule a consultation with Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS to discuss a procedure that best fits your aesthetic needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Tourism and Surgery Abroad

What are the risks of medical tourism?

The risks of medical tourism include different surgeon training standards, unaccredited facilities, limited pre-op consultation, communication barriers, and difficult post-op care if problems arise.

Is it safe to have surgery abroad?

It can be safe in some situations, but safety depends on the surgeon’s credentials, the facility’s standards, and the quality of follow-up care. Patients should research all three carefully before making a decision.

How much does medical tourism really cost?

The total cost may include surgery, airfare, hotel stays, food, medications, and extra recovery time. In some cases, revision care or complications can make the final cost much higher than expected.

What should I avoid when choosing surgery abroad?

Avoid choosing a surgeon based only on price, social media posts, or referrals alone. It is also wise to avoid facilities with unclear accreditation or surgeons who do not require a proper consultation before surgery.

How do I choose the best plastic surgeon?

Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon, an accredited surgical facility, clear communication, strong experience with your procedure, and a reliable follow-up care plan.