Cheap cosmetic surgery abroad? A BAAPS new study finds that over 50% of patients regret it.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is represented by Flipside PR in the UK. Contact us to find out more about how we work with our clients to help them reach their goals.
Is It Safe To Get Cosmetic Surgery Abroad?
A study presented to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) uncovers that over 50% of individuals who travel abroad for cosmetic surgery end up regretting their decision. The study, which won the BAAPS Hackett Memorial Prize 2024, delves into a decade of patient experiences at a UK tertiary plastic surgery unit. Subsequently, it sheds a light on the consequences of the growing trend of cosmetic tourism.
The retrospective study reviewed data from 103 patients. These patients were referred to the plastic surgery unit from 2012 to 2022 with complications arising from procedures performed overseas. Patients participated in a telephone survey to share their experiences, with 48% responding. The findings underscore the hidden costs and potential risks of bargain procedures abroad. Turkey emerges as a prominent destination.
Key Findings:
- Cost as a Deciding Factor: 83% of respondents cited the lower cost as the primary reason for choosing surgery abroad. 57% paid less than £5,000 for the entire process, including surgery, travel, and accommodation.
- Regret Among Patients: Alarmingly, 66% of respondents stated they would not have made the same decision if given a second chance. Nearly half expressed outright regret.
- Top Procedures and Common Complications: The most popular surgeries included abdominoplasty (28.1%), breast augmentation (17%), and liposuction (13.1%). The complications most frequently encountered included wound issues (33%), seroma (29.1%), and infection-related complications.
Expert Comment
Nora Nugent, President of BAAPS, emphasised the importance of educating the public: “This research offers crucial insights that must inform future public health campaigns. Potential patients need to understand the risks involved with traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery, beyond just the financial savings.”
Theodore Pezas, Niall Kirkpatrick BAAPS/BAPRAS Aesthetic Fellow 2023 and winner of the Hackett Prize 2024 for this work affirmed: “The purpose of this study was to better understand the patient experience of the process of cosmetic tourism in cases where surgery has resulted in complications requiring emergency management. Whilst no surgery is risk-free and the majority of qualified plastic surgeons performing cosmetic surgery abroad do so to a very high standard which is often comparable to the UK, what is not always comparable is the way in which certain procedures are offered and regulated. The practice of cosmetic tourism may seem like a cheap alternative but can facilitate an inadequate provision of post-operative care. This leaves patients worse off and comes at a cost to us all.”
The findings serve as a wake-up call to the dangers lurking behind the allure of cosmetic tourism. It urges potential patients to weigh their options carefully and consider the full impact on their health and well-being.
*Research conducted by Theodore Pezas, Paul Oregi, Sultan Hussein, Zsaki Sidhu, Maleeha Mughal, Paul Roblin, Marlene See, Victoria Rose, Pari-Naz Mohanna.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
For more information or to speak to a BAAPS Representative please contact lynne@flipsidepr.co.uk
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