Following an incident involving a UK mother being left paralysed after undergoing weight loss surgery in Turkey, the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons (BACS) is calling for increased public awareness and stronger regulation around cosmetic procedures performed overseas.
The case has reignited growing concerns about the risks associated with medical tourism, where patients travel abroad in search of lower-cost cosmetic surgery – often without fully understanding the potential dangers involved.
Dr Ian Morgan, president of BACS, issued a stark warning: “This horrific case is yet another reminder of the life-threatening dangers of unregulated medical tourism. Patients are being sold a dream but waking up to a nightmare – botched surgery, devastating complications, and in the worst cases, permanent disability or death."
BACS is urging patients to prioritise safety over savings. According to Dr Morgan, the promise of cut-price procedures can come at a devastating cost when performed by underqualified practitioners or in facilities lacking proper oversight.
"If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is," he said. "The UK must act now to protect patients, both by clamping down on the malpractice of unqualified personnel undertaking cosmetic medical and surgical procedures. We need to raise awareness of the serious risks of going abroad for surgery.”
The association continues to advocate for tighter regulations, enhanced patient education, and the enforcement of professional standards within the aesthetic medicine industry. Dr Morgan reaffirmed BACS’ commitment to ensuring that only fully qualified specialists carry out complex surgical procedures and to push for broader systemic changes to safeguard patients.
As medical tourism continues to rise, BACS is calling on both policymakers and the public to take the risks seriously and make informed decisions when considering surgery – whether at home or abroad.
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