Medical Tourism - Risks and Reasons Revealed

One of the hottest trends in the plastic surgery industry is medical tourism where patients travel to another country to undergo a surgical procedure. According to Patients Beyond Borders, the medical tourism market is growing at a rate of 15%-25% and it is also estimated that millions of Americans will travel to destinations as varied as South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia to have cosmetic procedures designed to change the look or shape of their body. Whether a person wants to have a surgical procedure that costs less, undergo a procedure that is not available in their home country, or want to have a surgical procedure in a vacation spot, there is some important information patients need to know about when it comes to medical tourism.

Medical Tourism – Medical Regulations Concerns

Even though medical tourism is growing in popularity, patients should perform research on the medical regulations in the country they are visiting. In general, plastic surgery is quite similar across the globe as it consists of medical techniques and procedures performed by medical professionals. It is the regulatory environment in each country that needs to be examined.

For example, the United States has one of the most regulated medical industries in the world. These regulations include state and federal regulations on items ranging from medical devices to the ads doctors can run and standards set by medical organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

This is not aways the case overseas as the level of medical regulations varies by country. There can be a lack of international regulations and sufficient medical data that can make it hard for a patient to make an informed decision about having a procedure in another country. These factors also add an element of risk that is not often seen in the United States.

Medical Tourism – Benefits for Patients

The first benefit is also valuable information as patients need to know that not all plastic surgery procedures performed overseas are dangerous. Many countries have highly trained and qualified surgeons who follow regulations and safety standards that are quite similar to the United States. Patients can inquire if the doctor or hospital they want to visit follows the standards set forth by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as it follows the standards of the United States when evaluating hospitals that are located internationally.

At the moment, Mexico is the top destination for patients who want to travel outside of the United States. The popularity of Mexico is due to its close proximity to the United States and the fact that a number of its hospitals are now accredited by the JCI. Patients Without Borders has reported that more than 1.2-million American citizens journeyed to Mexico before the pandemic for a variety of procedures including butt augmentation and liposuction. This number is expected to grow again thanks to the lifting of border restrictions.

Brazil is also a popular destination according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). According to this organization, Brazil has almost nine percent of the cosmetic procedures in the world performed within its borders. In addition, Brazil also hosts more than thirty percent of the total plastic surgeons in the world. The most popular procedures performed in Brazil include butt implants, tummy tuck, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL).

When it comes to saving money, Medical Departures (an online medical travel agency) names Turkey as the cheapest destination in the world for medical travel. It has been reported that the prices in Istanbul are anywhere from 70%-85% lower than the cost for the same treatment in other countries. Some of the most popular procedures performed in Turkey include hair transplants, bariatric surgery, and treatments for burns.

Medical Tourism – Reasons for Seeking Overseas Plastic Surgery

The desire for plastic surgery in other countries is driven by multiple reasons:

• There are some patients who simply want to save money on procedures that are not covered by health insurance companies. The out-of-cost pocket in the United States might be too much for the budget of the patient but that same treatment might be well below the cost they would pay in America.
• The patient might live in a rural area where their available level of medical care is low or nonexistent. In these cases, their medical needs might easily be served in another country.
• There are some patients who simply want to “get to the point:” and have a procedure without the need to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the United States such as lab tests, pre-op consultations, and comprehensive health examinations and evaluations.
• Some countries offer “all-inclusive plastic surgery vacations” where the procedure is performed at a discounted rate while also helping patients find a resort to stay at while they recover. This makes the experience more like a vacation than a medical trip.
• The wait to have plastic surgery might be shorter in another country so patients travel abroad for the chance to have their desired procedure sooner rather than later.
• It is often easier to have a more private procedure that is away from the eyes of nosy neighbors and relatives if the surgery is performed in another country.

Medical Tourism – Common Risks

There are some common risks to keep in mind before making the final decision to travel for a procedure.

The United States State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel: alert for multiple destinations due to concerns about violence, organized crime, and murder in countries such as Venezuela, Columbia, Russia, Iran, and Iraq.

Patients need to do research beyond the ads they see on social media and learn more about the background, experience, and credentials of the doctor they have in mind for their surgery. While finding this information can be a challenge due to limited information about medical sanctions, language barriers, and restricted foreign credentials data, it can save a person from experiencing medical complications and less than desired results.

Since healthcare standards vary by country, the actual quality of the medical facility might be far below the standards expected by the patient. The poor standards can include the level of cleanliness of the building and the actual condition of medical devices and equipment which can increase the risk of bleeding and infection, and even result in the death of the patient.

There is also a risk of having no legal recourse in the event of post-surgery complications. The decision to travel to another country can lessen the opportunity for patient follow-up once the person returns home. Plus, the occurrence of complications or medical errors after surgery in other countries might mean the patient has no chance to seek compensation or revision surgery in another country with different, or little, medical regulations.

All of the risks and reasons listed above should be considered before making the final decision about medical tourism. Patients need to take the extra step and perform proper research, so they understand the laws and healthcare system of the country they want to visit.

- MA