Beware of Overseas Cosmetic Surgery Disasters

Posted: Tuesday 10 January 2012 11:12am

Are you thinking about leaving the country to get a little nip & tuck? Before you make any snap decisions, you should make sure you’ve done your research. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS*) have issued a warning to all Australians travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery. Their latest survey shows the number of Australians returning home with complications is on the rise. Australian plastic surgeons are being forced to fix more and more botched jobs.

ASPS President Associate Professor Rodney Cooter warns that “cosmetic surgery is no holiday. Cosmetic surgery packages sold as holidays downplay the importance of the post-operative period. Any kind of major surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, requires a high level of post-operative care.” He adds, “Infections are the most common complications including unsightly scars, hematomas and unsatisfactory results.”

Highlighting the dangers associated with cosmetic tourism, the survey found that:

• 72% of plastic surgeons conducting revisions on cosmetic tourism patients have had cases they were unable to completely correct
• Almost 50% say they have seen cases that would have been life threatening without corrective treatment
• 62% have seen cases which have involved permanent disfigurement despite the surgeon’s best efforts because some complications can result in irreversible damage
• A similar number have seen cases where the patient has been severely psychologically impacted as a result of their experience.

Thailand, Malaysia and South America are amongst the most popular places for Australians to travel to for their procedures. While some of the surgeons in these areas are highly skilled professionals, the concern is that the appropriate post-operative care and monitoring is not being undertaken. “Ask yourself what follow-up care will I get back in Australia after my operation? Who will help me if something goes wrong?” says Associate Professor Cooter.

The survey revealed that the most common kind of overseas cosmetic surgery requiring corrective treatment was breast surgery (representing 68% of all revision procedures required by local plastic surgeons), followed by facial surgery (15%), abdomen revisions (8%), body contouring (5%) and ear revisions (0.5%).

So why are Australians travelling overseas to get their cosmetic procedures? The cost. While the original treatment may seem more affordable, if you experience complications post-treatment the ASPS has found that the average cost of cosmetic tourism revision treatment to the patient is an additional $5,754, plus an average two weeks recovery time.

Before you plan your overseas surgery trip, read Associate Professor Cooter’s checklist:

• Is your surgeon a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?  This at least means they have some form of recognised qualification.
• Have you got the right information and had enough time to give informed consent? (Cooter recommends waiting two weeks between appointments)
• Are the medical standards of care and quality control requirements at least as good as those in Australia?
• Do you know whether or not devices and products used in overseas hospitals meet Australian standards?  An implant used in Australia must meet strict standards of safety and effectiveness, a process regulated by the TGA.  Other countries may not have similar regulations.
• Have you got a plan for what you will do in the case of post-operative problems?
• Check out the person promoting the surgery.  Are they medically trained?  Do they accept any liability or provide any help if problems arise or are they simply a ‘travel agent’ or ‘broker’?

* ASPS is a not-for-profit membership organisation for specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Members of ASPS are fully trained and qualified in plastic surgery, operate only in accredited surgical facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics, and regularly attend continuing medical education courses.

by Chelsea Tromans

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