What Do You Think of Getting a Rhinoplasty Overseas?

Getting a Rhinoplasty Overseas could be a great thing or the worse mistake of your lifetime. Do you really want to increase your odds of the latter happening? I sure would not.


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 trend has also appeared: plastic surgeons in the United States are finding themselves treating an increasing number of patients who plastic surgery abroad, correcting complications and errors. A survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that 80% of the responding doctors had treated American medical tourists for complications including infection, contour abnormalities, and hematoma.

Medical tourists are often led to believe that they will receive the same quality of care for a lower price in a foreign clinic. But while it is true that the cost of plastic surgery in some foreign countries is lower, this is often because the quality of care and surgery is compromised. Such patients also seem to neglect the possibility of complications and the need for a follow-up visit.

In addition to the risks posed by sub-standard medical care abroad, medical tourists must consider these risks.

It is often the case that medical tourists end up spending more money because they have to pay to treat complications from their overseas surgery.

Source: The Cost of Medical Tourism – Medscape Medical News

It's always best to have your surgery performed by someone in your area, since you can then see them easily if a complication occurs. There's also less stress involved and medical standards are those that you're familiar with. I usually recommend patients stay at least 2 weeks after their surgery if they do come from out of town, then find a trusted PS in their area when they return to their town.

There are many skilled rhinoplasty surgeons outside the U.S. They can be certified by groups such as the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies. However, if things don't go as expected or you need a revision it may be difficult to follow-up and get the comprehensive care necessary for this delicate procedure.
Once you travel abroad, there is no legal recourse if things don't go as expected. Given a revision rate of 5 to 15% quoted for revision rhinoplasty for even the most skilled surgeons, it is important to have a continuing dialog and follow-up with your surgeon. Sometimes you may need minor treatments such as steroid injections to assure a good result. So, if you research your surgeon well you may be happy, but if you have a problem it may not be easily treated.

Rhinopalsty is a complicated procedure and has a revision rate of about 10%. If you run into a complication during surgery, your best chance of getting excellent care and minimizing any problems is here in US in an accredited facility.
You might find a good surgeon overseas but the quality of the facility, operating room, ancillary staff, etc will not be the same.
Also, if you need a revision surgery, you might end up paying a lot more to someone in US.
You are better off saving a little longer and using a good rhinoplasty surgeon in US and an accredited surgical facility.
Regards

Dear Thekp,
I believe that there are many excellent and qualified rhinoplasty surgeons in the US so that patients need not go overseas for their nose job. The post operative follow up is limited.
In select cases where you have a working relationship with a surgeon it is okay to have surgery away from home, but you must be willing to travel back for any problems, or be willing to see one of your surgeon's colleagues closer to your home.
Anytime that you base your rhinoplasty surgeon choice on "saving some money" you are asking for trouble. There is good reason for the saying "you get what you pay for".
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P