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The right plastic surgery procedure could make you look—and feel—like perfection. But taking the time to do your research is key, as there are renowned and talented plastic surgeons all over the world who can help you look your absolute best at an affordable price. It’s no wonder that so many people are choosing to undergo a variety of plastic surgery procedures in another country.
If you have been thinking about plastic surgery but the doctors in your home country are too expensive, or if you are hoping to find the absolute best doctor and medical facility for your needs, looking abroad could be a wise move. This guide to plastic surgery abroad can help steer your decisions as you do your research.
*This information is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial or medical advice. OFX accepts no liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on this information. Please consult a professional for personalized advice.
What you should consider before undergoing plastic surgery abroad
Before you dive right into finding the best place for cosmetic surgery abroad, you will need to take a few factors into consideration. Doing so will help you make the right choices for your health, and it will also help guide you to the appropriate overseas destination and medical facility that will perform the surgery with utmost care and precision.
There are many countries where plastic surgery procedures are commonplace and where medical professionals have honed their skills so they can provide their patients with top-notch care and beautiful results. Narrowing down those choices will involve taking a few concerns into consideration.
- Don’t just focus on price
Sure, you can get a great deal on an otherwise really expensive plastic surgery procedure abroad, but price should not be your only decision maker. After all, even when you source your medical specialist abroad, you should expect to pay more for someone with many years of experience versus and newly graduated practitioner. While you can certainly think about cost and factor it into your final decision, it should not be your be-all and end-all for your ultimate choice. - Research the conditions of a clinic before booking
Not all plastic surgery clinics are created equal, both at home and abroad. Online photos may not give you an accurate representation of the clinic, as they may be outdated. If at all possible, it is highly recommended that you visit a clinic prior to actually booking your surgery. Ask for a tour of the facility, talk to the staff, and make a preliminary appointment to talk with the doctor. And don’t forget to ask to see certification information to be certain that the hospital or clinic is fully accredited, as that will prove that it has passed a comprehensive review and that it operates in a manner that focuses on patient safety. - Ensure that the surgeon is fully qualified
Different countries will have different requirements for medical certifications, so when you look abroad, you may encounter surgeons who are not as qualified as those at home. So, in addition to looking into the conditions of the facility, also ask about the surgeon’s educational background. Many highly qualified surgeons abroad will be able to prove that they were actually trained in the United States or in the United Kingdom, as a couple of examples, so they will be certified by the American Medical Association (AMA) or the General Medical Council (GMC), respectively. European accreditation bodies, such as the European Association of Plastic Surgeons, as well as international bodies, like the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) or the International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS), can also provide you with additional peace of mind regarding the qualifications of the medical facility and its staff.
How to compare the cost of plastic surgery abroad
Comparing the cost of plastic surgery in another country can be a bit challenging, as you will need to consider exchange rate fluctuations when pricing your procedures. But on top of that, you should also calculate the total cost of having your procedure completed abroad. So, in addition to the actual cost of the surgery, also enquire about various other costs that you will be responsible for, such as:
- Pre-op and post-op consultation fees
- Lab work costs
- Medication costs
- Anaesthesia costs
- Aftercare fees
- Facility and surgeon fees
- Miscellaneous fees that depend upon your surgery, such as compression garments or breast implants
Also, because you will be travelling abroad, you will need to factor in the cost of getting to and from your destination, as well as the cost of accommodations and transportation while you are there.
Different countries will charge different amounts of money for the same procedure, and this could help you narrow down your choices to the right destination for your needs. For example, while a rhinoplasty will cost a little over $400 USD in Thailand, it will cost over $1,000 USD in Malaysia. Breast implants, on the other hand, could cost around $1,800 USD in Brazil, or around $2,600 in Thailand.
Compare those prices with the United States, where the average cost of a rhinoplasty could be around $5,000 USD, while breast augmentation can be around $3,700 USD. Rhinoplasty in Australia could cost around $8,000 AUD, while breast implants could cost around $10,000 AUD. Breast implants in the United Kingdom could cost around £3,500 to £7,000, while a rhinoplasty could average anywhere from £4,500 to £7,000. These costs are averages, and they can change at any time. They also may not include the extra fees associated with having a procedure, and they do not include personal travel costs.
How to avoid common risks that come with undergoing plastic surgery
As is the case when undergoing any type of surgery, whether at home or abroad, there are certain risks involved. Knowing the surgical procedure and what you should expect before, during, and after will help you fully prepare for what lies ahead and take appropriate precautions to avoid complications.
Finding the right surgeon and medical facility abroad will also help ensure that your treatment will be top-notch. Ask plenty of questions, ask to see accreditations and certifications, look into patient referrals and read reviews, and make sure all of the costs are laid out so you will know how to budget appropriately.
Choosing a facility that has medical professionals who speak English will also help reduce the risk of problems arising from miscommunications and misunderstandings that can result from language barriers and improper translations.
Smart ways to pay for your plastic surgery abroad
Check with your health insurance provider to determine if any of the costs of your plastic surgery abroad will be covered. If not, you will need to determine how much you can pay out of pocket, or you can ask about international medical coverage, which is becoming more common, thanks to the rise in popularity of medical tourism.
Services like OFX also make it easy to submit payments internationally from your bank account. Your currency will be converted, and your transfer can be completed online and tracked with a convenient mobile app. And by using OFX, you can save even more money when it comes to having your currency converted and sent abroad (bye-bye, bank fees and hefty margins!), leaving more of your budget available for travel and medical costs. Plus, you can opt to use a Forward Contract to lock in a great exchange rate for up to one year in order to protect yourself from foreign exchange volatility as you pay for your surgery.
Taking the leap towards looking your best
People go abroad for a lot of things, like school, health care, employment, and retirement. So it is really no surprise that getting plastic surgery in another country is quite popular amongst individuals who want to get high quality care at a more affordable price.
By following the right strategy for not only finding the best surgeon, but also paying for your procedure, you can take the leap towards looking your best and perfecting whatever flaws you no longer want to deal with. Before you know it, you will be flaunting your new look and loving the confidence that you have gained.
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