These days we can change our appearance to whatever we please. Is that a good thing? In many ways yes, but in many ways it can also be a major down point. Surely we’re supposed to be happy in the skin we’re in?
The problematic truth is that due to social demands, confidence issues, and a myriad of other reasons, some people simply aren’t happy and prefer to go down the cosmetic surgery route to change everything up. If that’s your situation, that’s fine, but always make sure you have considered all your options very carefully before making any drastic decisions.
From lip fillers to rhinoplasties, breast augmentations to face lifts, the options are quite literally endless, but the major downside of opting for surgery is the cost. For this reason, many people opt to go to another country, where prices are comparably lower, for their surgery.
Red flag alert!
Yes, some countries have a great reputation for plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery; Brazil for example has long been a gold star option, but what about the rest? There is a huge rise in something called medical tourism, and whilst having a vacation and getting your surgery done at the same time sounds quite idyllic, there are certainly some dangers lurking in paradise.
In any country, you need to search for your surgeon carefully, check they are registered with the correct bodies, and have a face to face consultation, where you are able to ask absolutely any question you feel the need to ask. How are you supposed to do that when there is a potential language barrier in the way? How are you supposed to research whether the clinic is registered with the right bodies if you don’t know which bodies are important in that country?
We should point out that we are referring to a very small percentage of clinics which are on the substandard side, but medical tourism is certainly something to be extremely wary of.
A Cost Saving Method?
The truth is that by travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery, it is possible to save anything from 40-80% cost, and that is enough to turn anyone’s head. Some of the most popular destinations include Brazil, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, India, Germany, and France, which make up the top countries, ranked by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Aside from possible language barriers, what happens when your vacation is over and it’s time to head home? What about after care? What about follow ups in a month or two? This isn’t possible when you’re only visiting the country for a short period of time. Post-operative complications can be extremely serious, including infections, problems with wound healing, and extreme pain. When you return home it’s possible that you’ll have to visit your local hospital to deal with the issue, and that could end up costing you extra money (depending upon the situation), as well as leaving you feeling less than happy with your overall experience. You should also bear in mind that post-operative care isn’t always covered by insurance, so it could all turn out to be more expensive in the end.
A Quick Fix, or a Route to Disaster?
At the end of the day, only you can decide whether taking your trade out of the country is a good idea or not. Always check out the clinic as much as you possibly can, and if anything feels off, anything at all, walk right out of there.
