Medical Tourism: Q&A
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Medical Tourism: Finding the Right Cosmetic Surgeon
I am on a tight budget but want nose surgery. My research has uncovered lots of agencies that help finding a doctor internationally where our dollar is stronger and hospitals are less costly. One is called Med Journeys, another is called Flying Patient (which appears to be for Brits and Europeans). I know doctors on this website want patients to come to them. However I can not afford a plastic surgeon fees in Denver. Reality is I must find less expensive surgery. Any thoughtful comments on the best way to choose a service or international doctor is sincerely appreciated.
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8 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+3
Even more problems from cosmetic surgery abroad
In addition to the answers provided by the providers below there is another important consideration. Problems with:
Qualifications abroad
Facilities abroad
Inability to get good follow-up
Travelling after surgery requiring general anesthesia can cause significant problems including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) in the lower extremities which can lead to death. Also, many patients who have seen me after problems with surgery abroad report that they didn't save as much as they...
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Consider training programs
Getting plastic surgery abroad is very risky. You are gambling with your nose and your life. This is not to say that you cannot stumble onto a well-trained and experienced surgeon. Most people assume things will go right but don't prepare for things to go wrong.
Rhinoplasty has a relatively high secondary revision rate 10-20%. As mentioned by other surgeons, follow-up is impossible, records may be unobtainable when you return to the States, hospitalization or other provisions for medical...
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Demand Perfection in Your Plastic Surgery Practice: Do not ever settle for less
As an indication of how well respected United States plastic surgeons are, our plastic surgery practice is inundated with patients from other countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Phillipines, China, and Europe.
Demand perfection in your plastic surgery procedures as the quality and expertise of your plastic surgeon determines your success.
If you do not feel that you can afford plastic surgery by a board certified plastic surgeon in the United States, I would advise you to...
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Best to save your money and stay in America
I have seen several patients who have done what you are proposing and have had bad results and experiences. The cost to try to fix them is much higher than if they had it done right the first time in America. Plus, it is impossible to have quality follow-up with your doctor when you are at a great distance away.
Many US surgeons are offering excellent prices during the present economic crisis and you should check on this. If the prices are still too high, save for the time when you can...
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Cosmetic Surgery Tight Budget - Consider Alternatives to Medical Tourism
Medical tourism has becoming increasingly popular in recent years; patients have been flying out of the U.S. for plastic surgery, lured by lower prices. If this is the only reason your are considering going overseas, then I recommend that you consider contacting a teaching program at one of the major University Plastic Surgical Residency clinics. The surgeries are most often performed with University Faculty supervision at low cost to the patient.
Of interest, a parallel...
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Don't save money on your parachute
Imagine you could buy a parachute that had all its safety devices stripped out of it and was therefore cheaper than its competetors. No safety chute. Cheap materials. Cheap assembly. No testing. No doubt that parachute would be much cheaper, but you would probably never consider saving money on safety features and jeopardize your safety.
Choosing to have surgery where there are no protections can be similar. The United States have the strictest standards for medical safety, for...
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Never make cost a hurdle to Safety & Quality
Hello Ted,
I agree with Dr. Shafer's advice - I see patients on a weekly basis who have gone abroad for surgery and end up wishing they hadn't.
Many patient's who go abroad do very well with their surgeries, but horror stories and complications are also common.
Follow up is also very important - I see my Rhinoplasty patients up to a year after their surgery since this is how long it can take for the final results to be seen. Unless you are ok with traveling back overseas, then you do need...
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Please Be Careful
Please be careful when going oversea or south of the boarder for plastic surgery. There are many great surgeons around the world, but those are usually not the ones who will be cheaper than what you can afford here. A considerable part of my practice is "fixing" plastic surgery mishaps that occurred when people traveled away to find better "deals" on plastic surgery.
My best recommendation would be to talk to patients that have already had surgery by the surgeon you are considering. ...
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