Traveling outside of America for surgery is referred to as medical tourism. This includes cosmetic surgery. Mommy makeover involves usually body contouring of the breasts, abdomen, flanks, arms, and thighs. More specifically mommy makeover refers to breast and tummy tuck.
These are complex operations requiring a high level of knowledge, experience skill, and training. Safety must precede the performance of the operation. There is no place on earth that has as high quality and consistency of medical care delivery as America. The draw of medical tourism is cost. The adage that you get what you pay for is profoundly applicable to the consumption of cosmetic surgery. There is no place on earth as committed to the safety and security of patients than America. Nowhere on earth are the standards of care and the requirement for compliance as stringent as they are in the USA.
Follow-up care is essential to achieving a safe and satisfactory result. I have patients from all over the country and the world. We take special care in our preoperative evaluation and require that the patients remain locally for a period of time so that we may be able to safely navigate the postop care and minimize complications. If you have your surgery out of the country and travel immediately back home you may find it difficult to obtain follow-up care by a suitably trained plastic surgeon.
Mommy Makeover and Travel
Also, long periods of time on the plane can foster venous thrombosis which can create a very challenging situation. Furthermore, the present covid situation may put the patients traveling for surgery at further risk. Our patients are required to be tested prior to the surgical date as a safety precaution.
Other significant factors which may be applicable or the training of the surgeons abroad, the regulations of the hospital or clinic, and other intangible factors that may be applicable to your specific situation. Generally speaking, I’m opposed to cosmetic surgery being performed outside of America. It may cost a little bit more but it’s worth it.
