Medical Tourism: getting surgery overseas to save $

In the current state of the economy, we have noticed an increasing trend in the interest of having cosmetic surgery abroad, also known as “medical tourism”. There are many qualified doctors overseas, but is it worth the risk. Below, please see my 10 biggest concerns about this issue.

1. Standards of care
The United States Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the quality of health care in overseas facilities may not be on par with the United States, and that foreign facilities are not always subject to the same health standards and regulations. Few overseas health facilities are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an organization that accredits overseas hospitals according to quality and safety standards similar to those in the United States.

2. Infection
The largest percentage (31%) of complications from surgeries overseas was infections. Many countries have infectious diseases such as; influenza, tuberculosis and some transmitted by mosquitoes that Americans and Europeans would not have built up a natural immunity to.

3. Other common surgical Complications needed intervention
Other common complications reported by patients were dehiscence (where the wound opens up), contour abnormality, and hematoma (collections of blood in the site). These issues can happen or appear at any point during the healing process; not just immediately after surgery.

4. I have a post operative surgical problem, now what?
Personal medical insurance most likely will not cover a patient while out of the country, if a medical complication should arise, additional costs could be out of pocket. “Medical tourism” is typically excluded from travel insurance coverage. If a complication arises at home there will be a need to find a local doctor willing to take on a case with complications which can be very expensive, or travel back to the foreign country.

5. Checks and balances
The standards of care in the US are much greater than other countries. Medical errors can happen overseas or even in the US. The fact that the local physician out of the country may be unfamiliar with your case may pose additional challenges.

6. FDA regulations
Sometimes inferior medical devices can be used such as breast implants for popular surgeries as breast augmentation. This would not be the case in the United States where implants are closely monitored by the FDA.

7. Traveling after surgery
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures today is the "Mommy Makeover", a combination of a tummy tuck with breast surgery. It is a long procedure and follow up care is very important. In most cases drains are used for 7 to 10 days. The patient must avoid strenuous activity, lifting and bending, making traveling through an airport with luggage difficult.

Preventing blood clots the day of surgery and throughout the recovery period is of extreme importance, and if missed can be potentially lethal. After any surgery you are at an increased risk of blood clotting in your legs, known as a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Traveling on an airplane greatly increases this risk due to the many hours of immobility.

The chance of acquiring an airborne infection on a plane after the stress of surgery is greater than that at home in your bed.

8. Recovery
Recovering on a tropical beach is not a good option; the patient needs to stay out of the sun and out of the water is necessary to avoid scarring and infection. Being close to home with the support of family or friends is optimal. Having your surgeon nearby is the safest situation. Enjoying a trip to a far off destination after healing is the best plan.

9. Why is the surgery cheaper?
There are excellent surgeons all over the world but many are able to have lower fees because they do not provide protection for patients such as medical malpractice or hospitals do not have liability insurance. Additionally, medical supplies, drugs, sutures, and implants are more expensive in the US with the added costs of FDA regulations.

10. Is the surgery actually cheaper?
Estimated price for a simple tummy tuck
Flights $1,000/person x 2 $1000-2000
Hotel $800 for 1 week $800
3 Meals x 7 days $500
Surgery cost $3000-6000

Total $6300-9300

(It is not advised to travel on a plane 7 days after surgery, but with the above scenario, the cost is essentially the same as the average tummy tuck in the US.)

The most important question and the most commonly ignored, is your health worth the risk?