And if you've been paying attention to plastic surgery in the media, you're probably familiar with the idea of medical tourism. While you might think that medical tourism is simply flying to another country to undergo procedures such as gluteal fat grafting (hence the common name for Brazilian butt lift), that's not the case. Traveling for surgery is a trend: around 14 million people a year travel abroad for medical care. Many travel to find a surgeon to perform cosmetic surgery for money and return home quickly. And that's where things can get complicated.
A 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 93 Americans had died after cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic. Plastic surgery no longer has the same stigma it once had, meaning that there has been an enormous increase in demand in recent years. As plastic surgery has become more common and accepted, patients have started to buy deals and discounts around the world. This has given rise to an entirely new category of travel called plastic surgery tourism. Because plastic surgery can be a major invasive procedure, it must be approached with great care.
Therefore, if you decide to have plastic surgery, be sure to see a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. There are some steps you can take to help minimize the risks associated with having cosmetic surgery abroad, such as informing yourself about the implications of your specific surgery and contacting your airline or travel provider to make sure you're covered. for travel insurance. If you are going to travel for surgery, either out of the country or within the country, to a place like Miami, one of the risk factors that amplifies it is to remain immobilized for an extended period of time, said Dr.
Darren Smith, a plastic surgeon certified by the New York City board. And while every plastic surgeon will have their own list of post-operative instructions, if your plastic surgeon doesn't talk to you about it before surgery, that's an important warning sign. Diet and nutrition; digestive system; plastic surgery. To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In some cases, plastic surgery tourists end up paying more due to revisions and complications than they would have paid if they had stayed in the country. Having plastic surgery is a life-changing decision, and in some cases, the surgery you choose to have will affect you in one way or another for the rest of your life. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has many international members, and there are undoubtedly many qualified plastic surgeons in other countries. In many cases, insurance companies may cover very little or none of these emergency costs if they consider elective cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.
The surgeons in the UT Southwestern Department of Plastic Surgery adhere to a strict code of ethics, complete extensive training, and hold leadership positions in respected plastic surgery organizations, such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited centers, and follow strict safety and ethical standards. Many of the most popular plastic surgery destinations require long flights and a large amount of travel.
