|
MEDICAL
TOURISM – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Important Safety Tips for Patients Considering Overseas
Plastic Surgery
If you are considering having plastic surgery, you have many
choices. The variety and popularity of cosmetic procedures
is growing, and there are more providers and facilities than
ever before to choose from. A new trend finds some even
offering low-cost “medical tourism” packages in exotic
locales like Mexico, India, or Thailand. But are they safe?
The first thing to keep in mind is that plastic surgery is
real surgery. You need to find out as much as possible about
your doctor, the facility they operate in and how you will
manage post-operative issues. Take your time. Do your
research.
The Columbus Society of Plastic
Surgeons (CSPS) is dedicated to making
sure consumers have the safest plastic surgery possible, and
offers you the following Questions to Consider When Debating
Having Surgery Abroad:
1) Is the physician qualified?
Are the medical facility and equipment safe? Although there
are many qualified physicians practicing all over the world
in excellent facilities, many countries have no credible
process for verifying physician training, or the standards
of medical facilities and equipment. Patients can
significantly decrease the dangers of plastic surgery by
thoroughly researching both doctor and facility, or simply
staying in the United States and selecting an ASPS Member
Surgeon. All ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery and put patient safety
first.
2) How will my post-operative care and
any complications be handled? Patients should
consider that even routine post-op care (such as changing
dressings and monitoring healing) can be necessary for
several weeks—long after your “vacation” is over. And
patients should also determine if they have insurance for
complications resulting from cosmetic procedures abroad.
3) Are travel and vacation activities
compatible with surgery? Although enticing, most
vacation activities should be avoided after surgery, and a
long return flight increases the risk of developing a
pulmonary embolism and blood clots. Your surgeon should
discuss what you can expect during recovery, and what you
can do to minimize risk
The CSPS and ASPS strongly urge you to become an
educated consumer and have many online tools to help you
make a safe decision.
Visit
www.cspsohio.com and
read the online guide, How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon, to
find out how to get the best quality of care. There is also
a list of questions you should ask your surgeon before
having any procedure.
One way to help insure a safe and positive outcome to
surgery is to be an educated consumer. Acquaint yourself
with the potential dangers of medical tourism. Make sure
your plastic surgery is safe plastic surgery.
ASPS Member Surgeons are part of the
largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in
the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members,
the Society is recognized as a leading authority and
information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic
surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all
board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States.
Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified
by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
www.plasticsurgery.org
|
