What Is the Safest Country for Plastic Surgery?

There’s no denying that with each passing year, the interest in plastic surgeries is surging, and so is their availability. This is possible in no small part thanks to the constantly improving healthcare standards around the world and the increasing affordability. However, many people interested in improving their look, fixing imperfections and eliminating complexes still have trouble accessing such procedures locally due to high prices or limited access to specialised clinics. As a result, more and more of them started to look for similar opportunities elsewhere, leading to the development of plastic surgery tourism – the branch of tourism that caters specifically to those interested in undergoing plastic surgery abroad.

Where Does the Interest in Undergoing Plastic Surgery Abroad Come From?

When it comes to the reasoning behind choosing to have cosmetic surgery in another country, the issue of cost is often the main cause for foregoing offers from local clinics. It’s especially important for procedures that are not deemed to be medically necessary, as they are usually not available through publicly funded healthcare and have to be paid for by the patients themselves. In such a situation, the availability of more affordable options abroad is definitely a huge advantage, especially considering that in many cases the cost of surgery along with post-surgery care and travel expenses can still be cheaper than the cost of a similar procedure in a high-income country.

However, lower prices are not the only benefit of medical tourism. It often enables patients to undergo their chosen surgery sooner, especially in the case of more sought after procedures, where high demand can result in longer waiting times. Another reason commonly mentioned by medical tourists is privacy – even though the stigma surrounding plastic surgery is slowly fading, many people prefer to keep their surgery private to avoid feeling judged.

All of the above reasons combined with the ease and affordability of travelling to other countries result in the growing number of people opting to have their plastic surgery abroad.

What Are the Most Popular Destinations for Plastic Surgery Around the World?

Choosing the optimal destination for plastic surgery is essential, not only from a cost perspective, but also to ensure the quality of healthcare and minimise the risk of complications. According to data published by the ISAPS for the year 2020, Mexico, Turkey, and Colombia were the most common destinations globally for tourists interested in cosmetic procedures. Yet, for patients from Western Europe looking for opportunities a little closer to home, clinics located in Eastern Europe can be equally attractive, especially those within the

EU. Why is this important? Because clinics in all EU member states have to adhere to the same medical standards and regulations, ensuring high quality of treatments and healthcare. This means that when travelling to, e.g., Poland, for plastic surgery, patients don’t have to sacrifice their safety but can save money due to lower healthcare costs all at the same time.

As healthcare standards can vary not only between different regions but even between clinics in the same country, it’s essential to choose a trustworthy and professional clinic based on reliable information. Focusing solely on promotional materials and low prices can lead to unnecessary risks, which is why it is so important to make informed and well-thought-out decisions when it comes to your health.

https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/medical-tourism

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/rise-of-medical-tourism-shows-impact-on-cosmetic-surgery-market

https://www.isaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2020-Press-release-final.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism#Destinations

https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/osrodki-medyczne