Going abroad for cosmetic surgery is becoming a popular option for people in the UK nowadays, despite concerns about overseas cosmetic surgery which have been raised by various representatives of the Plastic Surgery profession in the UK

One of the areas of concern is aftercare. However, there would be little difference between a patient living in the North of Scotland who decides to go to London for surgery or a patient living in the UK who decides to go to another country, 2 hours flight from the UK. In both cases, the surgeon will be far from the patient’s home if a problem arises. 

All patients are concerned and anxious before a cosmetic procedure (which is, by nature, an elective surgical procedure). Even at home, it is normal to have some doubts about the surgeon or the clinic. Going abroad raises more concerns about safety, the surgeon, the care and so on. 

The more information you can get in advance, the more confident you will be when you travel for surgery

 

Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons for going abroad for cosmetic surgery is the cost saving. Prices in the UK are at a level where many people can not afford it: going abroad offers a solution.

Companies offering cosmetic surgery abroad have responded to the increasing demand, and patients can opt for cosmetic surgery in relatively close countries such as Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, or Eastern Europe, or further afield in South Africa, Thailand or Argentina.  

However, there are significant differences in the cost of going for cosmetic surgery in these countries. Travel costs within the Euro zone are much lower than flying to South Africa or to Eastern Europe.  

Besides cost, other factors might be considered; the distance between your home and the place where the surgery will take place. Will you be fit to fly for 10 hours, one week after having a cosmetic procedure?. What are your feelings about the country and the standards of  the hospitals and surgeons? Will language be an issue?

• One of the first things to do is to gather as much information as possible about the company/hospital/doctor. Most will provide information on their web site which will give the patient a first “feeling”.
• Contact the company/hospital and make an enquiry about the surgery that you require. Depending on the doctor or company they will provide you with more or less information, brochures, costs, details of the surgeon’s professional background, etc.
• Find out if initial consultations and follow up can be done in the UK. Some doctors come to the UK periodically to visit patients, both new ones and follow ups. This can be very important for your peace of mind. If you have flown several hours to have surgery, do you mind traveling from your home and the city where the doctor visits (usually London)?Is it better to go for cosmetic surgery abroad with those companies who provide consultation and after care support in the UK? You should check whether the  consultation in the UK is with the surgeon, or with a nurse or advisor.
• Going for cosmetic surgery based only on pictures or email correspondence is not a good choice.
• Ask everything you consider important. Make sure you are happy that the doctor’s answers are reasonable, honest and will help you to take a decision.
• Check what the cost includes. Sometime low prices may be offered and extras may be included afterwards. Ask what happens regarding the cost if a complication arises. Check if after the operation you will stay in the hospital or will be discharged and taken to a hotel.
• Remember that you can change your mind at any time, even five minutes before the operation!

You have the right to ask the surgeon if he/she is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. In the Euro zone this is well regulated and training is similar across Europe. Many South African surgeons have had training in the UK.  

It is difficult for an overseas plastic surgeon to belong to the British Association of Plastic Surgeons or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, but in all countries there is a similar Association that will regulate qualifications for plastic surgeons. Here are some of the European associations:

• European Association of Plastic Surgeons
• Belgian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery
• French Society of Plastic Surgery
• German Society of Plastic Surgery
• Hellenic Society for Plastic,  Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (Greece)
• Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa
• Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• Swiss Society of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Some doctors practising overseas may have a UK registration. You can ask if the doctor is on the Register of the General Medical Council in the UK, and if he/she is included on the Specialist Register of the GMC for plastic surgery in the UK.  

Ask for the name of the clinic/hospital where the surgery will be carried out, and try to find information on Internet (language can be a barrier in this sense). Ask if the operation is in a private hospital or in the doctor’s clinic. 

Every company has a policy regarding the length of stay. The ideal length of stay will ensure that there are no complications and that the patient can come back home safely and without surprises. Some companies offer holiday packages, some do not. This can be an added benefit and make the trip more interesting, but it should not distract you from the main objective, that is, a cosmetic surgery operation.

 The doctor should provide detailed instructions and explain what is normal and what is not for the days following the surgery. Contact may be continued by email or phone. Ideally, a follow up visit in the UK should take place shortly after the operation, followed by as many subsequent visits as needed to be sure the healing process is successful. 

What happens if something goes wrong?

Establish what the procedure is, if there are complications or if you are unhappy with the surgery.

After an operation, complications can arise. Immediate postoperative problems can be solved during the patient’s stay in the hospital. In case of problems that arise when the patient is at home, (for example, infection), the patient must contact his/her surgeon, and follow his/her instructions. If you are in doubt or if the surgeon cannot be reached, you should go to the GP or the emergency department of a hospital. 

In the worst scenario - surgery which you are unhappy with, or which has been badly perfomed - the patient has to talk to his/her surgeon and seek a solution. Policies in this regard are very different even between surgeons, whether the surgery is in the UK or abroad.