Plastic Surgery Abroad Is an Operation, Not a Vacation

Americans unhappy with what they see in the mirror are looking past borders - and oceans - to save money on face - lifts, breast augmentations, and other elective procedures not covered by insurance. The Internet is littered with companies offering cosmetic surgery vacation deals to exotic locales like Costa Rica, the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil. But experts caution that so-called cosmetic surgery tourism can wind up costing patients more - both in health and money - than they expect.

Many overseas surgery practices use specialized travel agencies to package their cosmetic procedures with vacations. A typical offer includes your pick of operations-say, liposuction and a tummy tuck, for as little as half the U.S. cost - plus tour itineraries, tony resort stays, and pampering at posh spas during recovery.

But shopping around for the lowest fee or the best destination is not the way to choose a cosmetic surgeon. Surgeons who aren't on that list may be good, but their credentials, training, and prior disciplinary record can be hard to verify, says John Canady, incoming president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The operations went horribly wrong. An infection killed nipple tissue, and she required a blood transfusion. Back home, Pappas, 42, had trouble finding a doctor to perform corrective surgery and now regularly needs to have fluid removed by needle from her stomach.

If you've done your homework and are confident you've found a skilled surgeon, treat the trip for what it is - surgery, not a holiday. While relaxing poolside with a piña colada may sound conducive to recovery, vacation activities like swimming, sunbathing, or drinking can slow down the healing process and contribute to infection or bleeding.

training vacations society

« back

print »