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Plastic Surgery Abroad: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

What sounds better than resting up from your cosmetic procedure than lying on a beach, or relaxing inside a spa? The new trend in plastic surgery—at least abroad—is combining cosmetic surgery and luxurious vacations, often at half the price of the same surgery here in the United States. If it seems too good to be true, be warned: it probably is. plastic surgery abroad How does this even happen? Many overseas cosmetic surgery practices partner with specialized travel agencies to create vacation packages that include surgery. A typical package will include your pick of an operation or operations –usually at a fraction of the cost of the same surgery within the States—and tour itineraries, resorts, and spas. Often, people who buy into these packages want to treat their stay overseas as a vacation. This can be a critical mistake: plastic surgery is still surgery, affecting your body and health. Without the proper research and care, your surgery abroad can quickly turn into a nightmare at home. The Good Plastic surgery abroad isn’t all bad news: the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (isaps) has verified and certified over 1,500 surgeons in 73 countries who currently meet the United States’ standards. A quick trip to their website has each country labeled with those surgeons and where they are—making it easier to find the good ones. If you’ve considered recovering from surgery away from home and are certain about surgery abroad, begin by very thoroughly researching surgeons, countries, and procedures. Just as in the United States, they should display certifications and recommendations, as well as have a clean, licensed practice. The Bad Perhaps the most important thing to remember here is that each country will have a different set of rules governing plastic surgery—or surgery in general. Even plastic surgeons here in the United States don’t have guidelines that are as strict as other surgeons: unlike other medical professionals, there is no program specifically for plastic surgery. An OBGYN, an optometrist, and a dentist can all take the same certification test for plastic surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgery operations don’t have to be performed in a certain location, either: anywhere from an office to an actual surgical room is used for surgery. The horror stories you hear from botched plastic surgeries aren’t always from patients who chose to go abroad: it happens here in the United States as well. Becoming disfigured or disabled is a common report from patients with botched procedures, although death and more serious complications can occur as well. plastic surgery abroad The Ugly Attempting to recover abroad can sometimes be what leads to your complications. What they didn’t tell you when you booked that trip to the spa is that vacation activities—like swimming, sunbathing, or drinking alcohol—can actually slow healing. In addition, flight isn’t recommended for at least ten days following surgery, and recovery can continue for several weeks. If you do elect to have surgery abroad and something goes wrong, American surgeons may not be able—or want—to help correct the bad surgery. There are several legal reasons that could make them reluctant to correct any complications, and malpractice laws don’t apply in other countries. That could make any kind of corrective surgery—if you find a willing surgeon—more expensive than the original surgery. When it comes to your health, you’ll get what you pay for: and it likely won’t be the vacation you had in mind. Surgery of any kind can be painful and will take a toll on your body: wait to debut your new bikini body until after you’ve made a full recovery safe at home.

The next generation of breast implants is under active development by Mentor Corporation aided by input from a group of expert plastic surgeons, engineers and scientists.  The group, known as PROJECT LEAD, was assembled by Mentor from recognized experts in plastic surgery and associated sciences fundamental in the development and manufacturing of medical devices.

Cohesive silicone breast implants are the latest development in the field.  The silicone filler is solid thus alleviating the risk of the implant being unknowingly ruptured.  Sometimes known as the ‘gummy bear implant,’ cohesive silicone also offers the ability to shape the device in ways to optimize patient benefit.  This anatomical or tear drop shape implant is often ideal for use in patients with very little breast shape of their own or in patients following mastectomy for cancer.

The importance of choice in the implant selection process is to be emphasized.  Not all patients are going to benefit from the same implant shape.  Round implants work well for cosmetic augmentation patients who have some of their own breast shape and volume. These implants are commonly used in primary augmentation in a younger patient or in those correcting post pregnancy changes of volume and or shape loss.    Cohesive shaped implants provide great benefit compared to round devices in patients who lack defined breast shape.  The results are far superior.

PROJECT LEAD has two component advisory boards:  one working primarily on cosmetic breast issues and another focusing on the needs of breast reconstruction patients.  As the only plastic surgeon invited to participate in both groups, I have been able to offer my patients the latest devices available through these investigative studies.  FDA approval of a new implant is a long and expensive process.  It assures patients of the safety and effectiveness of their implant choice.   However, the cohesive silicone filler used in the Mentor CPG and Allergan 410 implant series is not yet approved for unrestricted use.  Both implants are nearing the end of 10 year studies the results of which will hopefully lead to the general use.  I have participated in both manufacturers’ studies of cohesive silicone, contributing several dozen patient participants to the 2000 patients selected nationwide.

I am confident of the safe usefulness of cohesive silicone breast implants.   Continued use of cohesive silicone implants since the completion of study patient enrollment has been limited to use only by those of us surgeons who participated in the studies.  I look for FDA hearing on cohesive silicone in early 2013.

Tim R. Love, M.D. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  He holds membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Lipoplasty Society of North America, the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.  drtimlove.com

With so many forms of liposuction in Oklahoma City being marketed today, the best approach is to first consult with a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. It is important to understand that any form of liposuction uses a cannula to suction fat from the body. This process is invasive in nature therefore is considered surgery. Surgery should be performed in an accredited surgery center by a credentialed plastic surgeon. Your consultation will help you make a wise choice in terms of areas, quantities and technique best suited for you.

Dr. Tim R. Love, MD’s portion of the surgery total is due one week in advance of the surgery. Fees may be paid by cash, cashier’s check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, or Prosper Healthcare Lending.  Contact our office for more details.

Is it important for my surgeon to be “board-certified”?

American Board of Plastic Surgery logoAbsolutely. Many healthcare providers are now performing plastic surgery procedures, but that doesn’t mean they’re all qualified to perform plastic surgery. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is the only board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians in the field of plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. By choosing an ASPS Member Surgeon, like Tim R. Love, M.D., you know your provider:

  • Has at least 6 years of surgical training & experience with a minimum of 3 years of plastic surgery
  • Is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Operates in only accredited medical facilities
  • Adheres to a strict code of ethics
  • Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards & innovations in patient safety
  • Will be your partner, working to achieve your goals

Only plastic surgeons with these qualifications have earned the right to display the ASPS Member Surgeon symbol. Go to www.plasticsurgery.org to learn more about qualifications.

Is it important for my surgeon to be “board-certified”?

American Board of Plastic Surgery logoAbsolutely. Many healthcare providers are now performing plastic surgery procedures, but that doesn’t mean they’re all qualified to perform plastic surgery. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is the only board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians in the field of plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. By choosing an ASPS Member Surgeon, like Tim R. Love, M.D., you know your provider:

  • Has at least 6 years of surgical training & experience with a minimum of 3 years of plastic surgery
  • Is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Operates in only accredited medical facilities
  • Adheres to a strict code of ethics
  • Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards & innovations in patient safety
  • Will be your partner, working to achieve your goals

Only plastic surgeons with these qualifications have earned the right to display the ASPS Member Surgeon symbol. Go to www.plasticsurgery.org to learn more about qualifications.