How to ensure safety during the festive cosmetic surgery rush

With the festive season upon us, the allure of a new look has driven a surge in the popularity of cosmetic procedures.

Treatments being marketed by celebrities and influencers has increased the number of patients travelling overseas to save money on cosmetic procedures. However, the risks associated with opting for these procedures abroad during the holiday season are more serious than some of light-hearted marketing promoting them.

Dr Omar Tillo, plastic surgeon and founder of the CREO Clinic, explains the dangers that patients may not be aware of, to ensure their safety during the festive cosmetic surgery rush:

1. Not everything online is truthful

Dr Tillo warns patients against falling victim to unregulated and untruthful online marketing tactics, luring patients with falsified positive reviews. What appears as a luxurious facility may be an illusion created through elaborate and aggressive marketing, especially in medical tourism hotspots like Turkey, Poland, or Thailand.

2. Language barriers and standards of practice

There are different criteria in other countries as well as different medical societies and organisations that monitor and maintain medical standards. Differences in medical criteria, standards, and language can pose serious challenges. Communicating expectations with surgeons becomes difficult, even if highly skilled, leading to potential misunderstandings and unsatisfactory results.

3. Traveling is stressful and potentially dangerous post-operatively

Many medical tourists will forget about the dangers of long-distance travel post-surgery. Flying within the same week of a cosmetic procedure can increase the chances of blood clots, which could lead to deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism.

4. Aftercare:

Following surgery, all patients require a direct point of contact to discuss their recovery. Even without complications, the majority of patients experience a variety of expected and unexpected symptoms or concerns in the first weeks after surgery. Patients must be able to discuss these issues clearly with their care providers and have a physical examination to check for any problems and complications. Overseas clinics often provide short-period follow-up and do not provide follow-up treatments. It is impossible to perform a physical examination if needed without travelling back.