Unfortunately, plastic surgery tourism is on the rise and creating numerous problems for both patients and surgeons. Plastic surgeries gone wrong in foreign countries leave patients in unwanted conditions and plastic surgeons in the United States with the task of fixing them. It can be frustrating for everyone involved. It isn’t fair, but it’s a reality. If you’re thinking about participating is plastic surgery tourism, make sure you never get it in the following countries:
Mexico
Mexico is one of the top plastic surgery tourism destinations, but that doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Mexico doesn’t require its plastic surgeons to undergo any type of board certification. This means there’s no governing body that deems plastic surgeons to be qualified and competent. Patients who choose to go to Mexico for plastic surgery run the risk of having a surgeon who doesn’t know what they’re doing performing their operation.
Greece
Greece’s popularity as a plastic surgery destination is on the rise. More and more people are making the trip across the Atlantic to have their operation done there. Again, this doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Just because Greece is in Europe doesn’t mean it’s the same as more developed countries like England, France, and Germany. Greece’s economy is one that has struggled for quite some time now. Poverty rates are high. There are numerous political problems with neighboring countries and within. Regardless of potential savings, it’s no place for patients to be going to to have an operation.
Brazil
The Brazilian government offers tax deductions for citizens who want plastic surgery; however, it isn’t out of the kindness of their hearts. They see the high demand for plastic surgery in their country and want to increase income for practitioners. They believe that this will eventually boost medical tourism and bring the US dollar and European euro into their country. This an economical ploy that put patients at risk.
South Korea
South Korea is one of the cheapest countries in the world to have plastic surgery. They also have highly skilled surgeons. The combination doesn’t equate to it being a good plastic surgery tourism destination though. South Korea has problems with the volume of plastic surgery patients. There is an ever increasing number of plastic surgeries being performed in the country each year. This isn’t a good thing for medical tourists. As a patient in a foreign country, the last thing you want to be a part of is an overcrowded hospital system.
The idea of medical tourism might be appealing because of financial savings, but make no mistake about it: patients who participate in plastic surgery tourism are putting their lives at risk. Being in a foreign country is no place to voluntarily be while you’re in your most vulnerable condition. Always stay at home and always seek treatment from a plastic surgeon board certified by the American board of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. In the end, you’ll be glad you did.