Thinking about traveling to Columbia for a BBL?

Hello and Great Question.  I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure.  My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel.  I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Butt Augmentation Specialist.  



Maybe there is a reason you can not find your Surgeon?  Anyone, can take photos and post them to social media.  Maybe they are not even his/her photos; or maybe they are and they have been manipulated.  I am confused about the price discrepancy.  At my office a BBL estimate is $7900.  That is an all-inclusive price (OR, Surgeon, Anesthesia).   If Columbia is estimating the cost of Surgery at $5k:  then you have hotels, flights, food, etc.  AND then you have the risk of complications in Columbia...but lets say everything goes fine...then who follows you if you have questions/concerns/problems...just check out the boards...everyday there are people who feel abandoned because after you leave the country; they aren't helping you anymore.  







Please reach out if you have any further questions.  Best of Luck!  







Sincerely,



Matthew J. Nykiel, M.D.



#RealSelfTopDoctor



#RealSelfCoreDoctor



“THE” Butt Doctor



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



Cosmetic Fellowship Trained Surgeon

Thank you for your question. You would need to consider cost of airfare, hotel, and most importantly, if any complications would arise, you would be far from home. Even if you came home and complications arose, you would not be able to follow up with him for post operative care. Inexpensive plastic surgery can often be found outside of the United States, but unfortunately for some patients, it is not the bargain they had hoped for.
Checking the
quality and credentials of surgeons and surgical facilities outside of
the United States can be difficult, while in the United States we have
much more oversight of healthcare. There are no U.S. laws that mandate
the training and qualifications of physicians who perform plastic
surgery outside the United States. This provides no protection for the
patients, and if surgical negligence occurs, there may be no way to take
legal action against the surgeon and/or facility where the surgery was
performed.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Patients who have decided to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure should not sacrifice on quality care to save money. Cosmetic surgery is real surgery; it is an invasive procedure and it is not worth putting your body at risk. You should feel confident about your plastic surgery decision. Make sure to research your doctor and surgical facility thoroughly to avoid the risks associated with plastic surgery abroad.Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Travel expenses as well as expenses for recovery and possible complications must be factored into any decision.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA