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Plastic Surgery Abroad

 
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Would you fly to another country for plastic surgery? More and more people are doing it. It's easy to understand why; in fact, a perfect storm of factors here in the U.S, including the dismal economy and the rising cost of medical care, has contributed to a booming market for cosmetic surgery in Asia, Latin America and other corners of the world.

Let's say you're just starting to get serious about breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, and one consideration you have is cost. Like most people, you go on the Web and start searching. Get ready to be bombarded with results like:

- Get cheap plastic surgery in Buenos Aires. Why not permanently alter your face? People on TV do it all the time. Besides, you’re a grown up, you can do whatever you want!

- …a surgeon…who has many years of experience in Cheap cosmetic surgery…is licensed and certified to perform such surgeries in the Czech Republic…

Not exactly confidence-inspiring. I'm sure there are many people who are satisfied with their experience outside the U.S. In my view, however, a journey to another country is a great idea for a vacation, but for plastic surgery? Not so great. Here's why:

- Research: It can be a challenge at first to understand what education, training, certifications and professional memberships mean for plastic surgeons in the U.S. It’s even more difficult to sort through what a foreign surgeon’s background really means. Not only that, but getting input from patients to supplement your view of a prospective surgeon can be impossible across borders and language barriers.

- Complications: Should you end up with an unforeseen complication, you’re in the care of the medical system of another country. This could be unsettling at a time when you feel particularly vulnerable. If you develop a problem after returning home, you will head to a local plastic surgeon and start up a new relationship that could be costly. Some patients see the money they’ve saved evaporate with surgical fine-tuning or even a reversal of the original procedure.

- Bottom line: When you add up the cost of travel, accommodations, meals and more, it could be that the ultimate savings you’ll realize really aren’t all that substantial. This is especially true if you bring a loved one to help you, which is an absolute must. And even if the balance sheet still works out in favor of traveling, is it worthwhile to trade some peace of mind for saving money?

Plastic surgery here in the U.S. is an expensive proposition, no doubt about that. But to me, it’s just not wise to cut corners. Other options include saving for your procedure and waiting a while longer, financing surgery or re-evaluating the whole idea.

Add a Comment6 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I decided to commend on this blog as I had a wonderful experience with Polish surgeons and I am thankful to them for my new face. I have always had many moles on my nose, forehead, and neck as weight loss issues. I blamed the way I looked for my depression and all my problems. I started saving for plastic procedures but after three years it was only half of what I was quoted by my local plastic surgeon. That was sad to hear and I started thinking of going abroad to save money. I heard of Poland and Kari Group after a friend of mine came back from Warsaw with a new beautiful nose and much higher self esteem. She gave me Kari's number and the name of her polish surgeon. She convinced me that going to Europe is not much of a deal, she was definately a success story. I will be honest, I was scared at first but last winter I made the decision to go and change my life. I had all my moles removed, two of which were pre-cancerous. I had several stiches on my face and neck and was quote swollen at first but after 5 days it went away. The whole medical team was there 24/7 and made me feel at home, and most importantly safe and pain free. While in Poland I also had a liposuction in two areas.

Now, after 2,5 months my face is beautiful with no moles and also no visible scars. With lipo and some exercise I also managed to loose 17 pounds! That would never happen if I didn't decide to go to Poland. I would also like to add that I am in touch with my polish surgeon and send him updates on my weight loss and some pictures. If someone if considering cosmetic surgery abroad there really is no better choice then Kari Group and polish surgeons (www.karigroupllc.com) I will always be thankful to them for the new me.

June 9, 2009 - 11:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

An American Company Develops a New Trend in Medical Tourism

Looking for savings but unwilling to sacrifice quality American patients shift toward a new medical travel destination- Poland.

American consumers are demanding. They are used to the highest quality of goods and services, the most imaginative commercials offering mind-blowing products, to excellent customer service, and generally to instant gratification. At the same time, in light of the declining economy and financial struggles, millions of them have been forced to limit their spending on a number of items or put it completely on hold. To many this meant putting their dreams or even their medical needs on hold as well, others started looking for options elsewhere.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are happily discovering that they are able to afford health treatments if they travel abroad where cost for medical procedures is only a fraction of American prices. More specifically, a price tag for a surgery outside the United States is on average three thousand dollars lower for a plastic surgery and even as much as ten thousand dollars lower for surgeries like hip replacement or gastric bypass. Not surprisingly, CNN.com reports that over 750,000 American patients chose to travel abroad for medical treatments last year and this number is expected to increase threefold to over 2 million by 2010.

Still, many potential patients remain skeptical and they rightfully demand more answers. While overseas would I be able to communicate in English? Can I expect the same standards and quality I got accustomed to at home? Is it even safe to travel to an Asian or South American country for medical procedures? The concern is understandable given the fact that countries like India, Thailand, or Costa Rica are some of the most popular medical travel destinations. This, however, has been recently changing. Research shows that Europe is currently the only continent where medical guidelines, quality, and safety meet or exceed North American standards and medical travel industry is noticing a substantial shift in that direction.

The number of Americans choosing European countries like Poland over other plastic surgery abroad destinations has been growing exponentially allowing them to take advantage of not only substantial savings but also safe, world-class health care at the same time. An access to the newest European medical technology and techniques, highly educated nursing staff speaking a few languages including perfect English, and outstanding, internationally known physicians associated with top US programs and hospitals are among reasons why American patients increasingly choose Polish clinics for their medical treatments. Additionally, Poland offers an easy and quick access to major European cities and most Americans typically prefer to spend a few days before the surgery in France, England, or Italy rather than in any third-world country.

Kari Group LLC specializes in providing access to plastic and cosmetic surgery treatments in Poland and according to company executives, their clients are not only looking for savings but, more importantly, for security and peace of mind. Americans appreciate the comfort of knowing that they will be cared for by an excellent English-speaking European surgeon in one of the best medical facilities in the world and that the treatment they will receive will not only be affordable but at the same time as good and safe as at home.

Probably one of the most frequent and important questions is: if healthcare in Poland is so good, why is it so much cheaper than in the United States? This question is best answered by another question: Why is US healthcare so expensive? High facilities costs, unpaid hospital bills totaling billions of dollars, high-priced medical education, costly research, and excessive malpractice litigation all add up to exorbitant prices for healthcare in the United States. In addition, American physicians who perform elective and specialty procedures, such as cosmetic surgeries, command very high fees from patients willing and able to pay, leaving those of more modest means unserved and seeking alternatives. Healthcare in Poland is also less costly because standards of living are more modest, doctors and staff command lower wages, government-subsidized healthcare keeps private healthcare costs down, and malpractice attorneys are considerably more restrained. The most important reason, however, deals with economy and currency. Poland is not yet using the European currency, but rather keeping their own currency. This makes medical services in Poland even more affordable for an American patient. This will change when Poland adopts Euro, now is therefore, the best time to take advantage of substantial savings.

American consumers are demanding, and they should be, especially when it comes to something as important as their health.

For more information visit www.karigroupllc.com
or call toll-free 866-261-2927

May 22, 2009 - 11:19pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

The number of Americans choosing European countries like Poland over other plastic surgery abroad destinations has been growing exponentially allowing them to take advantage of not only substantial savings but also safe, world-class health care at the same time. An access to the newest European medical technology and techniques, highly educated nursing staff speaking a few languages including perfect English, and outstanding, internationally known physicians associated with top US programs and hospitals are among reasons why American patients increasingly choose Polish clinics for their medical treatments. Additionally, Poland offers an easy and quick access to major European cities and most Americans typically prefer to spend a few days before the surgery in France, England, or Italy rather than in any third-world country.

Kari Group LLC specializes in providing access to plastic and cosmetic surgery treatments in Poland and according to company executives, their clients are not only looking for savings but, more importantly, for security and peace of mind. Americans appreciate the comfort of knowing that they will be cared for by an excellent English-speaking European surgeon in one of the best medical facilities in the world and that the treatment they will receive will not only be affordable but at the same time as good and safe as at home.

Probably one of the most frequent and important questions is: if healthcare in Poland is so good, why is it so much cheaper than in the United States? This question is best answered by another question: Why is US healthcare so expensive? High facilities costs, unpaid hospital bills totaling billions of dollars, high-priced medical education, costly research, and excessive malpractice litigation all add up to exorbitant prices for healthcare in the United States. In addition, American physicians who perform elective and specialty procedures, such as cosmetic surgeries, command very high fees from patients willing and able to pay, leaving those of more modest means unserved and seeking alternatives. Healthcare in Poland is also less costly because standards of living are more modest, doctors and staff command lower wages, government-subsidized healthcare keeps private healthcare costs down, and malpractice attorneys are considerably more restrained. The most important reason, however, deals with economy and currency. Poland is not yet using the European currency, but rather keeping their own currency. This makes medical services in Poland even more affordable for an American patient. This will change when Poland adopts Euro, now is therefore, the best time to take advantage of substantial savings.

American consumers are demanding, and they should be, especially when it comes to something as important as their health.

May 21, 2009 - 7:32am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

This post hit home as I just got back from my surgery in Poland two weeks ago. Heathcare there indeed is great, the clinic I stayed in had the same standards I got used to in the US, great equipment, great staff. They really do speak good english and really are well educated and professional. My surgeon did a wonderful job on my breat augmentation, I am still swollen and in a bit pain but that's normal. I would highly recommend Poland and Kari Group. There are easy to find on the internet at www.karigroupllc.com. Again, if you are looking for affordability and safety, there is no better destination than Poland.
Good luck!

May 23, 2009 - 5:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I recently came back from Bolivia. I had Breast implants, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty and face lift with the medical tourism agency MakeoverTravel (www.makeovertravel.com). I am very pleased with the experience and I absolutely LOVE the results!

I trusted and liked my surgeon from the minute I met him. I knew he would do a great job and he did. In fact, it was so good that when my sister saw my pictures, she flew from Miami to have a breast implants, tummy tuck and a complete liposuction. Now we both look happy - like we feel!

Some people even said I looked younger than the bride! But to me, having cosmetic surgery isn't really about looking younger - it's about looking the best that you can for your given age!

Now it's my daughter's turn to have surgery. After providing me with two grandchildren, her tummy isn't quite what it was so I have recommended that my surgeon and the medical team of Makeover Travel help her out with surgery as well. I can't think of anybody else that I would trust to operate on my daughter! She is the most special thing in my life, but I know MakeoverTravel plastic surgeons' will use their unique skills to ensure that she has the safest and most successful surgical outcome.

I think the important thing for people is to do the the right research and ask the right questions. If possible you must try to speak and meet the with the surgeon prior to making up your mind.

For me it was very important that the doctor was personally accredited by the Brazilian and Bolivian Association of Plastic Surgeons because Brazil is renowned to be the Capital of plastic surgery.

If you are just considering price and all looking at a website with pie in the sky promises, you are bound to get into trouble.

Sarah, recommending www.makeovertravel.com

April 24, 2009 - 7:35am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Affordable surgeries done in other countries does not necessarily equal to low or bad quality procedures. For Cosmetic Surgery abroad, you can minimize risk by going to a medical tourism company like WorldMed Assist who will handle all the logistics and make your stay abroad as smooth as possible. WorldMed Assist only partners with hospitals after multi-day, on-site screening. Many of the top surgeons in their partner network were trained in the U.S., and most hospitals have affiliations with renowned US medical centers such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical. Hospitals are squeaky clean, and their patients have rated their overseas accommodations as five star. Visit WorldMed Assist for more on Cosmetic Surgery abroad.

April 21, 2009 - 2:57pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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