Do’s and Dont’s of Plastic Surgery Abroad
Here is my version of some things to think about when planning plastic surgery abroad.
Do go where you know you’ll get excellent medical treatment.
Research medical standards, facility, doctor background, and talk to past patients. Make sure you are safe - this is your biggest and most important responsibuility.
Do plan ahead, especially if you’ll be traveling at peak tourist times.
You’ll be competing for treatment with other medical travelers and for hotel space with regular tourists. Get your passport ASAP if you are planning to fly into countries such as Costa Rica, the DOminican Republic, Brazil, Colombia, etc. If you are driving into a Mexico bordor town you only need a birth certificate and ID.
Use all available resources. Don’t rely only on the Internet or the kink memebers of plasticsurgeryjourneys.com for your research.
Get on the phone and call the places you are researching. Call a past patient. Call the board that certifed your PS. Consult on the phone. Talk to PSes in the US.
Do ask a surgeon about his fellowships or specialized training.
Does he regularly attend international professional meetings? How recently has she practiced in the U.S. or Canada? How many years of experience does he have in the specialty?
Do invest a few dollars in a telephone call.
Your conversation with the surgeon’s representative or with your medical travel planner will be a good indicator of the attention you’ll get later.
Don’t be stingy with your vacation time.
Take advantage of the medical attention that’s available to you during recovery so that your return home is uneventful. Better to spend an extra day or two in recovery than to start traveling too soon.
Don’t cut costs by going with the “lowest bidder”.
Keeping down the cost of surgery or staying at a budget hotel may sound like a good idea at first, but experience shows you may be sorry later.
Do get everything in writing.
Before you go, know your costs, procedures, dates and times of the consultation and surgery, number of nights in the hospital and contact names and telephone numbers your family can use to reach you. Know your pre and post-op instuctions including diet and how to manage draining and bandages.
Don’t take stupid chances.
There is always some doctor somewhere who will agree to anything you want. This may be the only time you will travel for medical treatment. Do it right and put your safety first.
If you have second thoughts, don’t be afraid to simply walk away. Have a back-up plan and listen to your instincts.
