BOTCHED AND THE BEAUTIFUL, THE UGLY TRUTH OF FOREIGN SURGERY

Botched and the Beautiful, the ugly truth of foreign surgery

Plastic Surgery. The controversial topic that sparks opinion amongst the masses. Is it right? Is it safe? However, these questioned have be subsided as a new question has been posed. Is it safe to get plastic surgery abroad? The £30million coming from the tax payer’s money, to pay for corrective surgery…. suggests otherwise. However, whilst certain unqualified “surgeons” across the pond have let the name of plastic surgery down, there are many stories to suggest otherwise. Should Brits go abroad? How much safer are UK surgeries? And should the NHS pay out?

Plastic surgery abroad is on the rise for us Brits. According to the ONS, more people are flying abroad than ever before. In 2016 is it estimated that 143,000 flew abroad for surgery in comparison to 100,000 in 2015. The popularity of this ‘craze’ is spiralling, as people choose to save money over their own safety. Despite the costs, many are left with ‘botched’ results, leading to dissatisfaction for the patient and the NHS.

Dr.Foiz Ahmed, a specially trained plastic surgeon at Lister hospital, sees foreign surgeries as not being worth the risk. “The risks outweigh any financial gains”, he explains. “From a professional standard I can only see the pitfalls. First there is the risk of an qualified surgeon treating you, leading to life threatening complications”. Indeed, this is the case for the majority of ‘Botched” work as the surgeons neither have the experience of qualifications to carry out major surgery. Here, in the UK, surgeons have to be under the ‘specialist register for plastic surgeons’, which verifies experiences and authenticity. Dr. Ahmed adds, “Secondly, even if the surgery goes to plan the complications of air travel can lead to deep vein thrombosis. A condition where blood clots form, thus stopping blood flow”. Dr.Ahmeds frustration is evident as he cannot see the lure for this popular decision made by thousands of Brits every year.

Is it said that patients should wait five days to a week before flying after surgery, however most cosmetic clinics only provide treatment up to four days. There is an immediate threat.

Megan Garnish, a previous ‘botched’ patient, knows of these threats all too well. When seeking Breast augmentation, Megan noticed that prices in other countries could be up to 70% less in European countries. This attracted her to a clinic in East Croatia where Megan consulted doctors over skype and organised to fly out there. However, not all went to plan. “The doctors were extremely shady”, she explains. “There was a lack of communication as there was a language barrier. I was so close to stopping the surgery all together…I wish I had done that now.” Megan suffered deflation, a complication that leads to leakages of salt water from a saline filled breast plant.  It meant there was a complete rupture of the implant, meaning Megan had to undergo more traumatic surgery to correct the problem. This came under the funding of the NHS. “Looking back, I should have researched more. I was naive to think that the doctors were going to be as qualified as an English surgeon. The surgeon even admitted fault. But there is no compensation as this was in the terms and conditions, that I did not read.” Megan is not a lone case, these horror stories are common amongst those who are not thorough in their research. Megan also felt “guilty” as she cost the tax payer due to her decision. “I felt embarrassed that was so reckless, however I cannot take all blame. I think surgery abroad is dangerous whether you research or not. Your body is worth more than savings a few pounds.”

The real conundrum is cost vs care. Does higher cost mean better care? Or can you get high quality care at minimum prices?

Hollie Gilbert, believes you can get good care at low cost. Hollie also got surgery done abroad as she wished to have a nose job. “I researched online, day and night to find the best care possible”. Hollie had been saving for a nose ‘job’ since her 16thbirthday, at 24 she still could not afford English prices. “£7,000 was astonishing. I had saved £3,000 and knew this would get me what a wanted in another country. I knew Brazil was one of the most respected places for surgery so I found a clinic to my satisfaction and took the plunge.” Hollie is a keen promoter of surgery abroad as her experience was largely positive. “I believe that if you do your research and know the qualifications of your doctor, little can go wrong. The lovely doctors in Brazil changed my life for the better”.

Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia are said to have the best treatment for their seeking plastic surgery abroad. In Brazil 650 surgeons perform more than 300,000 treatments each year. Their ‘American style’ hospitals attract tourists as they feel at home. These countries have the highest success rates in relation to patient satisfaction, due to cleanliness, care and results. Eastern European countries still provide cheaper rates than these competing countries, however there success rates are shockingly lower.

Whilst the volume of plastic surgery clinics are on the rise, so are the companies who promote them. Business’s such as ‘New Look Holidays’, claim to be the bridge between English patients and foreign clinics. For a fee, patients have all transport and accommodation sorted for them. A representative for their company explained the benefits of their company as they “provide a safe package for those who cannot afford surgery in the UK”. “We understand surgery is stressful, therefore out services mean the stress of travel and stay is taken away.” New Look Holidays clinic is situated in Slovakia, another hot spot for surgeries.  All doctors have to be members of the Slovak Association of plastic and aesthetic surgery, as well as being members of the European Union Medical specialists group. “Our doctors need at least 5 years experience in their field and a further 2 years of studying. We understand why people may be scared mongered by awful stories of foreign surgeries going wrong, however we are here to disprove that. We are highly regulated and want to make plastic surgery a positive experience that shall change people’s lives”.

Despite stories such as Megan’s, people still choose to listen to the positives of Hollie’s experience. Was it just luck? There is positives and cons on both sides, but should the NHS be picking up the fallen pieces due to a reckless decision? Some professionals suggest the cost of surgery should be reduced in the UK, as more people would seek cosmetic treatment here. This would in theory relieve the stress on NHS funds as the whopping £30 million a year spent on corrective surgery, would drop dramatically.  Others believe the NHS should ban corrective surgery, thus deterring foreign surgery all together. The botched and the beautiful is a dangerous game.