Hundreds of Pakistani Britons are booking cheap plastic surgery in their ancestral homeland, three times the number just four years ago. Nose jobs, tummy tucks, liposuction and breast enlargements are the favoured treatments for many who feel “pressure to have Western features” but who want to pay only a fraction of what they would be charged in Britain.

For full article, click here:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article340388.ece

An Australian Newspaper reported a recent study conducted by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The ASPS sent out surveys to all of the plastic surgeons within thier network and asked them if they have ever had to correct a blotched surgery that was previously performed overseas. The article does not state how many surveys were sent out. Thirty-five came back with Australian plastic surgeons statingthat YES they had experiences cleaning up the work of plastic surgeons in Bangkok, the Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Iran and Ukraine.

“Although there are many skilled and qualified surgeons practising all over the world, it may be difficult to assess their training and credentials by Australian standards. Implants used may not meet our safety standards, which is a process regulated by the TGA. Other countries may not have similar regulations.”

The press release from tha ASPS goes on by stating:

Members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons are fully qualified and trained in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. This is the only recognised surgical qualification in Australia and is the gold standard by which all other aspirants in this area are measured.

Hmmmm…. Conflict of interest?

The article also highlighted experiences of patients who had traveled abroad for cosmetic surgery. One had no cleavage after a breast augmentation, another had a bald strip on hairline, and yet another had “hideous scarring.”

I wish that the story could have followed up with the patients to find out what exactly happened, showed images, and detailed which surgeons and in which countries have had complaints from medical tourists. How can we recognise who the skilled and qualified surgeons are if we do not know which ones to avoid? Reporting general statements doesn’t help… I beleive in presenting the facts.

Not all people who go abroad have great experiences. This is not something to be taken lightly and definately should be researched in depth.

I ran across an article entitled Plastic Surgery Myths and found this interesting tid-bit:

Myth: Having cosmetic surgery while vacationing in an exotic location is a great idea.

Combining an exotic vacation with having cosmetic surgery may sound appealing, but it can be fraught with problems. Evaluating the training and qualifications of doctors outside the United States can be difficult. Likewise, there may be no guarantee that the facility in which surgery will be performed meets necessary safety standards. Remember, cosmetic plastic surgery is real surgery. It requires a recovery period during which your normal activities will be curtailed. And if there are any problems with your surgery once you arrive back home, having your doctor thousands of miles away in another country can be devastating. Follow-up care from your board-certified plastic surgeon is critical to achieving the best results.

Yes, evaluating the training and qualifications of doctors outside the United States can be difficult. But, it’s not imposible. With a little internet research and a lot of perserverance you can research a plastic surgeon in another country. I am not a doctor, but I am an informed consumer.

Many things have not been organized for surgery abroad yet. I have looked everywhere for “hospital certifacations” in Mexico with no luck. But just like in the US, doctors can perform in medical clinics as long as they have:
Oximetry
Cardiac monitor
Anesthesia machine
Operating rooms with Resuscitation equipment ( Crash Cart)
Anesthesiologist Experienced and Certified.
Standard Equipment and Staff having knowledge in the use of this equipment for your own security

Finally, most patients who go abroad (like me) made arrangements with thier PCP for when they get home. One member of PSJ, even has her own PCP planning her plastic surgery journey in Brazil! Moreover, many patinets are pushed out of thier surgery recovery the day of surgery in the States. Abroad, you are required to stay and be monitored for 1+ nights. Most people, stay close to thier PS before they go home and have a plan in case complications arise.

There is 2 sides to every story. Somewhere in the middle - where we all reveiw our own needs - if the best decision for us.

A website promoting the facework of a plastic surgeon in Mexico with travel packages features video interveiws.

What’s interesting about this website, is that it is one of the few sites with patient testimonils via video and a video interview with the plastic surgeon himself. I like the idea of video interviews because you can reveiw English skills, get a glimpse of facilities, and get more of an ideo than with just pictures or text alone.
One must also consider that these type of websites are intended to bring in customers. Therefore, you will not see a testimonial from the “unhappy” customer.
If someone chooses to have PS with this place or not, seeing this video may be helpful.

I was flipping through the channels on New Years Eve, when I came across a telethon for Operation Smile. This is a wonderful organization that takes plastic surgeons from all over the world and provides life-changing surgery to children with facial deformaties.

It made me think about several things. For one, it is awesome that different plastic surgeons from different countries all over the world share thier knowledge, technique, and goodwill in the name of charity. I’m sure noone involved is concerned weather an International PS is as good as an American PS in these situations. Second, it made me think about how often we travel to these countries and see poverty. This is a great way to leave our mark on those countries.

I was called to action when I saw the dramatic results of children in Peru being transformed by a mere $240 surgery. I realized that our PSJ group could support a charity like this one.

PS is not all about vanity and breast implants. It is about just “being normal” and being given the oppertunity to be more than your deformaties. Our goal in 2006 is to help at least one child by pulling together $240. Our members are wonderful people and I know we can do this. As

Bob6006 said,

“If I can help change the future of a child for the price of a latte you can certainly count me in. Even those of us on fixed incomes still live in a land of embarrassing riches and it will be a shame if we can’t meet this small goal in a very short time. “

To see how you can help, you can doante through PSJ or go directly to the Operation Smile website.

Happy New Year!!