Monday, September 21, 2009

Traveling Abroad for Cosmetic Surgery

Traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery has become an increasingly popular activity amongst people in the United States and Europe. Why travel abroad? For one, the cost of having cosmetic surgery done abroad is much less than the cost of having a cosmetic surgery procedure at home, and the quality of the procedure is as good and sometimes better in foreign hospitals that cater specifically to medical tourists. To give an example of the savings, a high-end breast augmentation procedure in, say, Brazil, costs around $3000, while the same procedure in the U.S. would cost around $10,000 or more.

Aside from the savings, though, another allure of medical travel is that foreign hospitals that cater to medical tourists offer a high level patient care that is not really seen anywhere in the United States or Europe. Having your cosmetic surgery overseas also gives you privacy and ensures that the whole experience is discrete. You can tell your acquaintances back home that you are simply on vacation, while in you enjoy a pleasant recovery period in an exotic location.

The Country

When choosing a country to go to for your cosmetic surgery procedure, consider the cost of travel and lodging in addition to the cost of the procedure itself. Also keep in mind that different countries are known for specializing in different cosmetic procedures. Venezuela, for example, is known for having a lot hospitals and surgeons that specialize buttock augmentation. Whichever country you end up picking, it should be one that you feel comfortable with and that you won’t mind spending a week or more in.

Choosing the Hospital

Make sure that the hospital you use has a plenty of experience handling the cosmetic procedure that you’ll be receiving. Look for facilities that have English speaking doctors and medical staff members and that are internationally recognized and accredited by legitimate bodies like the Joint Commission International.

Keep your Local Doctor in the Loop

Your local physician should know about your cosmetic surgery plans abroad. He will be crucial during your recovery period back home and he might even be able to suggest a medical tourist destination for your particular cosmetic surgery treatment.

Documents to Keep in Hand

Have in hand at least one set of copies of your visa, passport, credit cards, medical records, traveler’s checks and driver’s license. You should also keep with you the contact information of your close family members, as well as your local doctor, the U.S. embassy, your insurance providers, your creditors and your bank and your employer back home.