The pitfalls of traveling for cosmetic surgery 

Overview: While traveling for cosmetic surgery can offer lower costs at an exotic destination, the risk of complications, infections and limited follow-up care isn’t worth it in the long run. Choose safety first and have your cosmetic surgery close to home.

Traveling a long distance for cosmetic surgery might sound appealing if the costs are competitive, and the location is exotic. However, surgeons and medical organizations consistently warn about the increased risks when surgery and follow-up care happen far from home.

Here’s why it’s discouraged:

Post-operative care

Cosmetic surgery isn’t a one-day event.  Managing your recovery matters as much as the surgery.  After surgery, you may need:

• Drain removal
• Wound checks
• Suture care
• Fluid drainage (seromas)
• Infection monitoring
• Scare management
• Emergency assessment

When you travel far:

• Your surgeon is unavailable once you leave.
• Local doctors may be hesitant to treat complications that arise from another surgeon.
• You may end up in the Emergency Department, with providers and non-specialists who are unfamiliar with your procedure.
• Revision surgery back home is typically not covered by insurance.

Most complications can appear seven to 28 days after surgery, when travelers are already home. Long distance surgery can be priced competitively because the patient is taking the risk of little to no follow-up care.

Unknown facility standards

Some destinations have excellent accredited hospitals – others do not. Risks include:

• Different sterilization standards
• Variable anesthesia oversight
• Limited emergency Intensive Care Unit back-up
• Inconsistent credential verification

Increased risk from flying too soon after surgery

Long flights too soon after surgery increase the risk of:

• Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis
• A life-threatening pulmonary embolism
• Swelling and delayed healing

Once you’re back home, any complications can quickly become very expensive, including treatment for an infection or any revision.  Hospital admission may not be covered by your own medical insurance if you’ve had elective cosmetic surgery.

While the cost-savings of going abroad for cosmetic surgery may be appealing, you’re taking a gamble on the doctor’s training and qualifications and the facility’s standards.  Surgery of any kind has risks, so protect your health and don’t take shortcuts.

Interested in cosmetic surgery? Request a consultation

This blog was reviewed by a MercyOne plastic surgery provider.