Safe medical tourism

OP. DR. YUNUS DOĞAN

Leaving on a jet plane?

Traveling abroad for plastic surgery has become an increasingly popular option for patients who want to cut costs along with their excess skin and fat. More ladies are discovering they can maintain a plump wallet and still afford breast implants. Patients are protecting their assets as they simultaneously increase their ass… invest in a Brazilian butt lift (BBL.)

Turkey continues to be a prime medical tourism destination because of its efficiency and affordability. Why use an overpriced domestic surgeon when you can go abroad, experience a new culture with a couple vacation days prior to surgery, AND spend less money than you would have if you stayed in your home country? If you’re considering plastic surgery in Istanbul, research your surgeon carefully.

Prices aren’t the only thing that are lower in foreign countries. Professional opinions, qualifications and surgical criteria may be more lax when they are compared to a patient’s home country. While everyone loves to save a buck or euro, sometimes the safest way to lose a pound is to spend one. The old saying “you get what you pay for” can be true - to your detriment - unless you take the time to vet your surgeon.

Don’t book your ticket until…

You’ve made sure your surgeon meets the suggested criteria set forth by the uncommon union between competitors, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (TSPRAS.) In their joint article published June 2023, these two cultures nobly united for the prosperity of the population, putting patient safety above profit.

In an attempt to better educate patients who may travel to countries whose guidelines differ from those of their home countries’, the BAAPS and TSPRAS have come together in an important statement. They caution potential plastic surgery patients to take the time and ensure their chosen surgeon is truly registered, educated, qualified, experienced and organized.

Do your research

Yes, we have told you the top five qualities the best plastic surgeons have. We stressed the importance of your surgeon meeting our criteria because those qualities will lend to the best possible plastic surgery experience. But there’s so much more than credible communication and blessed bedside manners. Not only do you want a surgeon with appropriate people skills, but you also want one who’s been trained and is properly certified. You want accomplished hands to match that articulate mouth.

If your surgeon is located in Europe, make sure he or she is registered with the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS.) If your surgeon is in Turkey, verify his or her affiliation with the Turkish Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association (Türk Plastik Rekonstrüktif ve Estetik Cerrahi Derneği.)

Medical professionals usually proudly display their degrees and certifications on their office walls. If you don’t want to wait for the plane ride and immigration interview to check if your chosen surgeon has a degree, do this research before you leave home. Ask about their accreditations.

Also ask specifically what your surgeon’s specialty is. Some medical practitioners promote themselves as plastic surgeons but are not formally educated as such, while other surgeons veer out of their lane, making cuts outside their areas of training. As the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns, doctors who say they are “board certified cosmetic surgeons” may attempting surgeries beyond their specialities

Verify how many years’ experience your surgeon has. He might have a degree on his wall but you do not want to be patient #001. While there is something to be said for the enthusiasm of a recent graduate, experience is justifiably far more important. Similarly, you want a surgeon who has a history with their current clinic. Just as numerous employment gaps on a CV are concerning, frequent clinic-hopping for a surgeon can be a bad omen. The third rule of consistency relates to their facility and whether it’s a fully recognized hospital. The size of accreditation varies based on country.

Your surgeon and his/her team should have an aftercare plan and be able to communicate it to you. They should be available and capable of answering any questions you have. While they’re communicating the after-care, they should also require you to sign informed consent paperwork. This boring administrative step verifies your complete understanding of your surgical plan.

The last stitch

You wouldn’t choose a healthcare provider in your home country without first knowing that he or she is properly trained, certified and experienced. Use this same logic when scheduling an appointment with an international surgeon and his or her team. Devote time to verify that they meet the criteria listed above to ensure they are a safe, reliable option for you. It is absolutely possible to have a safe medical tourism experience. You can retain your wealth as you redefine yourself.