Whenever I hear that someone has gone abroad to receive plastic surgery of any kind (tummy tucks, breast implants, facelift, the works) I automatically cringe. Mainly because those people flocked to another country without doing a large amount of research and decided on their surgeon due to the allure of cheaper rates. Cue horror story; a boat of tears; and sadly, some serious health issues and complications.

You think you’re saving money?

Is something as serious as invasive surgery worth risking your life to save a few bucks? You end up spending even more money to fix the damage that has been done. According to one board-certified physician, what he sees go wrong with many facial surgeries either done poorly here in the states or abroad are various complications including scarring (from hiding an incision poorly placed, most commonly seen in Mexico and South America), issues with symmetry (like the use of silicone or plastic for rhinoplasty in Asian countries), nerve weakness, and more.

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But probably the most common plastic surgery mishap abroad has to deal with breast implants (one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures). Whether they were not placed properly or industrial-grade instead of medical-grade silicone was used, the cost of fixing those mistakes can weigh heavy on a person’s wallet and health. Last year, PIP implants from France were found containing lower-grade silicone that could lead to rupture or inflammation. These implants are not FDA-approved and cannot be used in the United States.

What about follow-up care?

According to an Orange County plastic surgeon, people think they are getting a good value for surgery overseas. What people have to keep in mind about plastic surgery is that it isn’t a one day ordeal. There are plenty of post-surgery visits to consider, if you want to heal properly and without infections.

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“In my practice, patients are seen one day, one week, one month, and three months after surgery,” he explains. “This allows time for the doctor to assess them and make sure everything is progressing normally. It’s also the time for patients to ask the surgeon questions. This is possible over the phone, but the fact is you get more information when the surgeon is in front of you doing a live assessment.”

Opting for surgery done outside of your country means you won’t be able to follow-up with your surgeon easily, to ask questions, take care of any infections or use your insurance to cover the cost (if at all possible). You’re pretty much left on your own, hoping that nothing goes wrong, or paying more money to fly back and forth to consult with your surgeon. It just doesn’t seem worth it…

To learn more about plastic surgery abroad and what to look for in a plastic surgeon outside of the US, go to www.smartbeautyguide.com!

Have any of you beauties considered going/have gone abroad to receive a form of plastic surgery?

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