Going Abroad for Cosmetic Surgery – Understand the Risks

Each year, millions of US residents travel to another country for medical care, a trend known as medical tourism. Cosmetic surgery is one of the most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips. Common treatments requested include breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The main driver of cosmetic surgery tourism is cost. Clinics abroad market the misperception that patients can have various procedures at much cheaper prices than they could in the US. Often, these trips are marketed as vacations.

So, is it safe to go abroad for plastic surgery? Let’s dive into the risks involved in undergoing plastic surgery overseas.

Risks of Getting Cosmetic Surgery Abroad

The ASPS states that patients may take unnecessary risks when choosing cosmetic surgery vacations by unknowingly selecting unqualified physicians and having procedures performed in non-accredited surgical facilities. They urge patients to consider the potential complications, unsatisfactory results and risks to general health that may occur when choosing to have cosmetic surgery abroad.

Treatment by Unqualified Physicians

Although there are many skilled and qualified plastic surgeons practicing all over the world, the ASPS cautions that it may be difficult to assess the training and credentials of surgeons outside of the U.S.

Procedures in Non-accredited Surgical Facilities

One of the most serious risks of undergoing cosmetic surgery overseas is the possibility of having the procedure performed in a non-accredited surgical facility. Accreditation ensures that a hospital or clinic meets international standards for safety, hygiene, equipment, and staff qualifications. Unfortunately, not all countries enforce strict medical regulations, and many budget-friendly clinics may operate without proper oversight.

Vacation-related Activities

While tempting, vacation activities should be avoided after surgery to support proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. Patients should refrain from sunbathing, drinking alcohol, swimming or snorkeling, water or jet skiing, parasailing, participating in extensive walking or bus tours, and engaging in any form of exercise during the recovery period.

Risk of Infections and Complications

UT Southwestern Medical Center reports that they treat many patients presenting with infections from surgery abroad, including infections such as E. coli or other destructive, often resistant, bacteria. Further, the health risks of flying after cosmetic surgery include swelling, infections and potentially fatal complications such as pulmonary embolism and blood clots. According to the ASPS, it’s best to wait about 5 to 7 days before flying after body procedures like liposuction or breast augmentation. For facial surgeries like facelifts, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, or laser treatments, they recommend waiting 7 to 10 days to reduce the risk of complications.

Follow-up Care Challenges

Cosmetic surgery vacation packages often include minimal, if any, follow-up care once the patient returns to the U.S. If complications arise after returning home, patients may struggle to find a qualified plastic surgeon willing to take over their care. Local providers may be unfamiliar with the techniques or materials used during the initial procedure, making treatment or revision surgery difficult—and sometimes impossible. Since revision procedures are typically more complex than the original surgery, patients may not achieve the results they initially hoped for.

Lack of Standardized Devices and Products

The ASPS highlights that devices and products used in cosmetic procedures abroad may not meet U.S. safety standards. In some countries, implants or other surgical materials might not be tested or approved according to the rigorous guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, any implant used in the U.S. must be FDA approved for its safety and effectiveness.
High Cost of Low-cost Cosmetic Procedures
Patients who experience complications after cosmetic surgery abroad may face significant additional costs for follow-up care and revision procedures. These unexpected expenses—often not covered by insurance—can quickly add up and may end up exceeding the original cost of having the surgery performed in the U.S. in the first place.

Cosmetic Surgery Tourism Safety Considerations

When travelling for cosmetic surgery overseas, take extra precautions to ensure a safe experience. Here are some key points to note:

• What accreditations do the surgeon and facility hold?

  Although some international clinics may claim accreditation, many medical tourism facilities are little more than standard doctors’ offices with limited oversight. You may have no way of verifying the surgeon’s qualifications, the clinic’s infection control measures, or how well their equipment is sterilized. If the facility cannot clearly provide proof of accreditation and safety standards, it’s wise to reconsider placing your health—and your money-in their hands. Make sure the place you stay in after the procedure also has the amenities you need to recover safely post-op.

• Travel precautions: Flying or driving for long hours is not advisable after a plastic surgery procedure. It can pose risks. According a Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery report, the ASPS recommends postponing travel for five to seven days after plastic surgery procedures involving the body (such as liposuction and breast augmentation) and up to ten days for facial plastic surgery (including facelift, eyelid surgery and certain laser treatments. So, if you intend to travel for a procedure, plan ahead as to where you will stay, make sure you are booked for an adequate number of days at the place, and importantly, if the facility is prepared to cater to your post-operative needs.
• Consider risk of complications and follow-up care: Even if the procedure is performed under proper guidance, complications are a possibility and it would be a major problem if they happen after you reach home. For a procedure with a higher risk of complications, it may be advisable to stay in the place where you had the procedure until you heal as travelling back again is not feasible. On the other hand, if a complication occurs after you return, you would have to be prepared to pay for a secondary or revision procedure in your hometown.
• Language barriers: Good communication is important to enhance the surgical experience and take an informed decision. People who travel abroad for cosmetic procedures may face language barriers, which could pose a risk. Even if you find a qualified plastic surgeon overseas, but they and their staff cannot communicate with you, it can lead to major mishaps about your goals and aftercare. So, communicate directly with the surgeon before you make your decision and confirm your confidence in them.

While the lower prices of abdominoplasty or breast enhancement surgery abroad may seem appealing, the hidden risks—ranging from surgical complications and poor follow-up care to unregulated products and costly revisions—can far outweigh the initial savings. When you stay local, you benefit from regulated medical standards, better continuity of care, easier access to follow-up visits, and peace of mind knowing that help is readily available should anything go wrong. Your health and safety are worth the investment.
The bottom-line: spare yourself the physical, financial and emotional burden by choosing the safer, more reliable option: undergoing surgery closer to home.