Quality treatment Make sure you check out the credentials of the surgeon and the treatment clinic you are considering before jetting off.…

Quality treatment

Make sure you check out the credentials of the surgeon and the treatment clinic you are considering before jetting off. Try to contact former patients to get their views. Be cautious with countries at the cheaper end of the market. You should also consider that you may not meet your surgeon until you’re on the operating table, whereas back at home you might have several appointments before you get to that stage and have up to six months aftercare. If surgery abroad does go wrong it can be very difficult to pursue a case through the courts.

Be Realistic

Ask your plastic surgeon questions about how the surgery will work for you: identify expectations and understand side effects and recovery time. Make sure you allow enough of a recovery period so you have time off work and other activities to allow your body to rejuvenate.

Costs

Make sure you understand what you are paying for up front. Ideally it should cover aftercare also, which can be far more expensive if you have to arrange it on your own. Government and basic medical insurance, and sometimes-extended medical insurance, may not cover the medical procedure. This may mean you have to pay in cash. If you’re taking treatment overseas you are usually in hospital for a few days and then on vacation before you return home. Complications, side effects and post-operative care are then the responsibility of the medical care system in your home country.

Length of Stay

Tailor the length of your stay to correspond to the procedure you have in mind. You will need to stay long enough for bruises and swelling to abate. Plan on spending a few extra days for relaxation so that you can be assured of coming home refreshed and fully recovered.

Vacation

Travel combined with surgery significantly increases risk of complications. Long flights are particularly risky so you should wait about five to ten days depending on the treatment before you board and travel again. Vacation-related activities can also compromise your health and set back the recuperation period. The activities might be enticing but won’t allow time to relax or heal the body. You should not sunbath, drink alcohol, swim/snorkel, water ski/jet ski, parasail, take extensive tours (walking or bus), or exercise after surgery. Check with your doctor to make sure.