Going Under the Knife Abroad - Putting a Price on Beauty

Friday, July 10, 2009 ·

By Ross Tilley

The economic recession has affected hundreds of thousands or businesses and millions of residents across the world. It's effects are even being felt in the plastic surgery market where an ever growing crowd of would-be beauties are considering traveling abroad on cosmetic surgery "package holidays" to save money and boost their confidence in this time of economic slowdown.

It's easy to see their reasoning why not combine their annual holiday with a cheap boob job to boost their cup size? Or magically take a few pounds of fat away through liposuction? The internet has opened up a whole market of potential customers to overseas cosmetic surgeons, and in places where costs are lower they can afford to offer cheaper procedures. But at what risk?

BAAPS, otherwise known as the British Associate of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, have been at the forefront of an awareness campaign aiming to make sure UK men and woman understand the potential risks of going under the knife whilst on holiday. BAAPS highlighted how woman's magazines were a prime marketing channel for these foreign surgeries, and that they often have UK-based representation to reassure and push through the sale.

Cosmetic surgery is a generally safe and effective both as a choice and when it's required as a medical necessity. The problem that the BAAPS sees is not in the procedures themselves, but where they are performed and the availability of adequate follow-up.

At the extreme end of the scale, Brits wanting to save a significant amount on their tummy tuck or breast enlargement surgery may be tempted to venture even further afield, where there is no guarantee of the latest developments in safe technology or procedures.

When candidates are unable to afford local rates they seek other alternatives. This makes them vulnerable to a good plastic surgery holiday pitch. Sometimes their desperation to get the procedure done outweighs any concerns about after effects or complications.

When times are tough people often reach outside of themselves to feel better about what's going on inside. Cosmetic surgery can beautify and produce feelings of well-being and self-confidence, but the money saved by doing it in a potentially unsafe environment in a foreign country is not worth the risk. In addition to possible complications, one follow-up appointment will wipe out the amount that was saved in the first place.

There are many UK surgeons, particularly members of the BAAPS, who perform safe, reliable cosmetic surgery on patients here in Britain every day. Their rates may seem on the surface to be higher than what is offered by these Plastic Surgery Package Holidays, but expense isn't always measured in money. Bad cosmetic surgery and the minefield of aftercare are just two of the risks worth considering.

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