I'm thinking about going to the Dominican Republic for surgery and would like to know if by chance, Being a diabetic type 2 I develope some kind of complication or infection , will a doctor here in the us treat me or will I have to fend for myself?
Answer: Surgical tourism is a bad idea!
You are at slightly increased risk for complications being a diabetic, and traveling after surgery increases your risk of a blot clot, which can sometimes be fatal. I'm not trying to rain on your surgical "vacation" plans, but there is no conceivable reason to travel overseas for "bargain" surgery, return home, and hope there will be someone here to deal with some other surgeon's complications, should they occur.
The supposed savings are not worth the risks, and when you have a complication is NOT the time to be searching for a plastic surgeon who will be willing to care for you, not to mention asking him or her to try to "figure out" exactly what was done and how your surgical course went post-operatively having never seen you until the time of a problem!
There are too many cases of patients who have asked what to do here on RealSelf when a problem develops in exactly the scenario you are contemplating, sometimes serious and potentially life-threatening ones. Please reconsider; there are plenty of good surgeons in your area whose total cost is far less than your surgical trip plus even one return visit or hospitalization for even a "small" complication! A tummy tuck is a "big" operation that needs careful followup, drain care, and recheck visits, even when everything goes perfectly! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Surgical tourism is a bad idea!
You are at slightly increased risk for complications being a diabetic, and traveling after surgery increases your risk of a blot clot, which can sometimes be fatal. I'm not trying to rain on your surgical "vacation" plans, but there is no conceivable reason to travel overseas for "bargain" surgery, return home, and hope there will be someone here to deal with some other surgeon's complications, should they occur.
The supposed savings are not worth the risks, and when you have a complication is NOT the time to be searching for a plastic surgeon who will be willing to care for you, not to mention asking him or her to try to "figure out" exactly what was done and how your surgical course went post-operatively having never seen you until the time of a problem!
There are too many cases of patients who have asked what to do here on RealSelf when a problem develops in exactly the scenario you are contemplating, sometimes serious and potentially life-threatening ones. Please reconsider; there are plenty of good surgeons in your area whose total cost is far less than your surgical trip plus even one return visit or hospitalization for even a "small" complication! A tummy tuck is a "big" operation that needs careful followup, drain care, and recheck visits, even when everything goes perfectly! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Surgery overseas
I would be very cautious prior to having surgery abroad. That being said, few if any US plastic surgeons will be willing to assist with your post-operative complications following cosmetic surgery abroad. Your only recourse would be going to a local ER and hoping that there is a plastic surgeon on-call who is willing to assist. Let the buyer beware! Best of luck.
Helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Surgery overseas
I would be very cautious prior to having surgery abroad. That being said, few if any US plastic surgeons will be willing to assist with your post-operative complications following cosmetic surgery abroad. Your only recourse would be going to a local ER and hoping that there is a plastic surgeon on-call who is willing to assist. Let the buyer beware! Best of luck.
Helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW
November 11, 2012
Answer: Overseas surgery
You are considering undergoing surgery in another country and are already trying to figure out what to do if you have complications when you get back to the US? I have a great idea. Just have the surgery done in the good old US of A and you won't have to worry about dealing with that issue at all. I will never understand why people will go to another country and take those risks just to save a little money. It's not worth it!
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW November 11, 2012
Answer: Overseas surgery
You are considering undergoing surgery in another country and are already trying to figure out what to do if you have complications when you get back to the US? I have a great idea. Just have the surgery done in the good old US of A and you won't have to worry about dealing with that issue at all. I will never understand why people will go to another country and take those risks just to save a little money. It's not worth it!
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
FIND THE RIGHT
TREATMENT FOR YOU
November 9, 2012
Answer: Do your homework before having plastic surgery overseas
Thre are many talented plastic surgeons around the world, and if you are seriously considering having cosmetic surgery overseas I would recommend confirming that your plastic surgeon is a member of ISAPS, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This indicates that they adhere to widely recognized standards. Sometimes there are contractual arrangements with a plastic surgeon in the U.S. for follow-up care but this is not common, and you are at risk for significant additional expenses. Given your diabetes you are also at higher risk for complications.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW November 9, 2012
Answer: Do your homework before having plastic surgery overseas
Thre are many talented plastic surgeons around the world, and if you are seriously considering having cosmetic surgery overseas I would recommend confirming that your plastic surgeon is a member of ISAPS, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This indicates that they adhere to widely recognized standards. Sometimes there are contractual arrangements with a plastic surgeon in the U.S. for follow-up care but this is not common, and you are at risk for significant additional expenses. Given your diabetes you are also at higher risk for complications.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
November 8, 2012
Answer: Overseas Tummy Tuck
Bad idea. Third world country to have surgery and save money. If you have a complication the expense will likely outweigh any money that you saved. How can you be sure that they do not cut corners to cut cost. I suspect most surgeons a gaurded about taking on a problem just after having had surgery by another surgeon because they do not know what or how things were done, at least if it was a US doc they can be contacted for records etc.
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW November 8, 2012
Answer: Overseas Tummy Tuck
Bad idea. Third world country to have surgery and save money. If you have a complication the expense will likely outweigh any money that you saved. How can you be sure that they do not cut corners to cut cost. I suspect most surgeons a gaurded about taking on a problem just after having had surgery by another surgeon because they do not know what or how things were done, at least if it was a US doc they can be contacted for records etc.
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW