A plastic surgeon has warned patients about the risks of going abroad for cheap tummy tucks and boob jobs.
It comes as a survey by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) found that over the last 18 months, 26 per cent of surgeons have noticed an increase in patients experiencing complications following cosmetic surgery ‘holidays’.
Brent Tanner, consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, said: “There has been a wave of people going to foreign countries. Quite a lot of these people are fine, but about 10 per cent need an adjustment or something.
“With aesthetic surgery there are two things - what you look like afterwards, and whether you are ill because of it.”
He said examples of problems included people who had facelifts, but were left with their eyelid pulled down because too much skin was taken.
Or the skin was pulled too tight by mistake, which can leave the skin’s surface raw.
More extreme examples of botched plastic surgery include bleeding after the operation, he said.
Mr Tanner said that even after the best surgery, liposuction may need “evening out” to make both sides the same.
He said the problem was often that if people went abroad for cheaper operations, follow-up appointments and aftercare were not included in the price.
“For people who smoke or who are dieting like mad, the surgeon should say stop smoking and put on weight, but if you are with one of those foreign surgeons they go ahead with the operation.
“There is no particular country that is worst, but Poland and Indonesia have started opening up shop recently.”
BAAPS said it had carried out extensive research into cosmetic surgery ‘tourism’.
Nigel Mercer, a consultant plastic surgeon and president of the association, said: “It is a serious concern that despite the economic downturn - or perhaps because of it - the public is swayed by the promise of cheap surgery without being given the appropriate information to make an informed decision.
“I find it appalling that most of these companies do not even mention risks, nor do they appear to have in place any mechanism if complications do arise.”
Mr Tanner used to work as a consultant at the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Hospital in East Grinstead, which specialises in reconstructive and plastic surgery for patients from across southern England.
He said that surgery to repair botched boob jobs and other invasive procedures that have gone wrong will only be provided on the NHS if there is a medical reason, and not purely for aesthetic reasons.
Mr Tanner said serious complications were rare, but they did happen and he advised people to research prospective surgeons and hospitals carefully.
“It light of the recession, people are tending to shop around a lot more to get a better quality result,” he said.
“While internet use is encouraged, particularly patient-led forums, certain websites are biased. The consultation process is vital and it is important for people to meet their surgeon before they commit to surgery.”
He said anyone having plastic surgery at home or abroad should find out what aftercare and follow-up appointments would be provided in the price.
BAAPS surveyed its 226 members across the UK for its cosmetic surgery tourism report.
One surgeon reported more than 16 problem cases over the last 18 months from patients having operations abroad.
The association is based at the Royal College of Surgeons and is a not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education in and the practice of plastic surgery.
It is not a regulatory body but member are fully trained and on the Specialist Register held by the General Medical Council.
POSTED: 25/10/2009 17:00:00
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: