Surgeons Warn of Dangers of Overseas Plastic Surgery

Created on 21st September 2009

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has spoken of it's concern regarding UK citizens who chose to have cosmetic surgery abroad.

At the BAAPS annual conference in Cardiff last week, the association described some of the terrible injuries that some patients arrive home with after they have plastic surgery operations in foreign countries.

They also spoke about the 'unethical' practises some cosmetic surgery tourism practises use.

BAAPS president and plastic surgeon Nigel Mercer told of an incident with a male patient who went abroad for a tummy tuck.  Elaborating, he said: "He had drains in and then sat on a long-haul flight home. His tummy opened and the fluid spilled over the aircraft.

"He was patched up by the NHS but in most areas the NHS will not perform another procedure.

"In another case a woman contacted my surgery to ask when she would be able to walk again after having liposuction abroad.

"She had six litres of fat removed and she had fainted outside the clinic afterwards. She was left with scarring and bruising but she said the surgeon never mentioned post-operative care."

Mr Mercer also told the story of a woman who nearly died after having a face lift abroad. Summing up he said:  "I personally would never go abroad for surgery even if it is a fraction of the cost."

Research shows that over a quarter of plastic surgeons have noticed an increase in the number of people who have experienced problems after having cosmetic surgery holidays in the past 18 months. In addition, a poll of members of The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons showed that one in ten had seen between seven and nine patients with issues relating to this topic over the same time frame.

Mr Douglas McGeorge, a former president of BAAPS said: There is a feeling that the proper follow-up will be left to the good old NHS but, politically, there's great resistance to the NHS mopping up complications that occur in other healthcare systems.

"As a consequence we are seeing them ending up in our laps with patients having to foot more bills to put themselves right.

"There is no doubt that we are seeing more problems because more people are having cosmetic surgery in this country and overseas.

"If we put more people through the system we will see more problems at the other end."