When considering having cosmetic surgery, it’s important to carefully consider your options and choose a provider you can trust. Whilst it’s often cheaper to get treatment overseas in what is known as ‘medical tourism’, cost is only one part of the equation. In this blog post, we’ll explore why you should opt to have your cosmetic surgery in the UK.
Regulations and standards
One of the main reasons to have cosmetic surgery in the UK is the high level of regulation and standards that must be adhered to. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) ensures that all clinics and hospitals providing cosmetic surgery meet strict standards for safety and quality.
Not all countries have the same strict regulations and standards at the UK which means you could be taking unnecessary risk when seeking treatment abroad.
Skill and experience of surgeons
While there are many highly qualified and skilled surgeons working abroad, there are also many who may not have the same level of training and experience as those in the UK. It can be difficult to properly compare the quality of qualification and experience among the surgical team in an overseas practice with that of the UK.
Having your cosmetic treatment with us means you are assured of being looked after by highly skilled, experienced surgeons, anaesthetists and our wider support team.
Communication difficulties
If you travel abroad for surgery you may also face communication barriers and language difficulties. The impact of this cannot be underestimated when dealing with a subject like plastic surgery, as misunderstandings and miscommunications can increase the risk of unnecessary complications.
Aftercare
Patients who undergo surgery abroad may also face limited access to aftercare support. Aftercare is an essential part of the recovery process, and you need to be able to access follow-up appointments and support if any complications arise. If you’ve travelled abroad for surgery, it may be difficult to access this aftercare.
Increased risk of infection
Regulation in the UK means there are particularly high standards of hygiene, but these may not be the same in an overseas setting. This can leave you at greater risk of infection.
In addition, if something goes wrong you may find it hard to navigate an unfamiliar legal system, making it extra difficult to seek compensation or redress if you’re unhappy with your results.
It’s not always cheaper
Although the cost of your procedure may be lower, you may find that the overall cost is not much different due to the hidden costs of travel, accommodation, food and medical expenses/additional travel should complications arise. The price of the procedure is just one factor to consider.
Conclusion
All surgery carries risk but you are potentially increasing the risks with medical tourism. It’s a personal choice, but when you’re considering your health and wellbeing, the additional cost of having plastic surgery in the UK will, undoubtedly, be worth it for peace of mind.
