Dangers of holiday surgery

Dangers of holiday surgery

THE Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has warned of the dangers of undergoing cosmetic surgery overseas following a survey of its members that revealed patients had sought consultations related to complications occurring on their return home.

Of the 68 surgeons who responded to the survey, 40 said they had seen patients with problems.

Perth reported the highest number of cases, with 66, most relating to breast surgery carried out in Thailand.

Society president Bill Cockburn says that while complications can arise with any surgery, people having treatment abroad have no recourse.

"There are huge advantages in being able to get back to your treating surgeon," he says. "If an infection develops or you're not happy with the result of your surgery it's too late. We've had patients come to us in tears saying that when things went wrong there was nobody there for them.

"Unfortunately, there will always be people lured overseas if they think they can save money. We want to remind them that it could end up costing a lot more."

The society offers the following advice to people considering cosmetic surgery abroad:
o Surgery is never a holiday; it's a serious undertaking and every operation has risks.
o Follow-up care and monitoring is an important part of any surgery.
o Australian hospitals and anaesthetists are among the best in the world and your risk of serious complications is lowest here.
o Beware of slick advertising that promises the earth. You get what you pay for.
Barry Oliver