Planning a summer trip: What you need to know about medical tourism

Summer is vacation season. Many people opt to visit family, tour theme parks or relax on the beach, but there is a subsection of the vacationing population who travel for an altogether different purpose. For these people, summer travel is about medical tourism.

Many people view medical tourism as the ideal solution to seeking plastic surgery because of a tough economy and no help from medical insurance companies. Individuals looking to improve or change something about their appearance hop in the car or on a plane and travel to another city or country in search of the procedure of their dreams at a lower cost. Unfortunately, medical tourism carries real risks and can turn a person's dream "vacation" into a nightmare scenario.

Why do people leave the country for plastic surgery?

Why do so many people choose to seek medical procedures in foreign countries? ASPS Member Surgeons Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS, and Kristy Hamilton, MD, both agree that it all boils down to cost.

"Oftentimes, people will travel outside the United States for plastic surgery because it's being offered at a price point significantly lower than what is normally found domestically, even when factoring in travel costs," said Dr. Hadeed.

Dr. Hamilton's practice is in Houston, only a hop, skip and jump from the Mexican border. She often hears about people traveling there in search of cheaper plastic surgery options.

"I tell patients there are phenomenal plastic surgeons in Mexico, but you are not going to get them at the 'discounted' rate that leads people to seek plastic surgery tourism there," said Dr. Hamilton.

She said the price is 100 percent the draw of traveling abroad for plastic surgery. Additionally, she noted that while Mexico is a popular destination for low-cost body contouring procedures, such as liposuction and tummy tucks, Turkey takes the crown for rhinoplasty tourism and hair transplants for men.

Dr. Hadeed, located in Beverly Hills, also listed the Dominican Republic and Colombia as medical tourism hot spots.

The cost of medical tourism

Yes, in some instances, medical tourism and plastic surgery procedures cost less in foreign countries. However, what is the real cost of medical tourism? It doesn't always come down to simple dollars and cents. There are costs associated with travel, accommodations and the procedure itself. What about the costs to your health and safety?

"There are many risks associated with medical tourism," said Dr. Hadeed. "Broadly speaking, these risks can include health and safety, travel, financial, legal, ethical and public health. More specifically, there are risks associated with infection, blood clots, wound separation, quality of care, continuity of care, legal recourse, hidden costs and transmission of infection."

Dr. Hamilton recounted a particularly disastrous medical tourism experience she witnessed as a medical resident.

"We took care of some patients that had breast implants put in place, and they were growing a certain type of fungus," said Dr. Hamilton. "It wasn't even a run-of-the-mill infection. The thought was these weren't even sterile devices that were put in."

You may save money on the procedure itself, only to spend more than double on wound care and correcting medical errors down the road.

"Revision surgery is always more expensive than primary surgery because it's harder," said Dr. Hamilton, adding that revision surgery is significantly more complex due to scar tissue and managing the unpredictability of what you may find.

Patients should keep in mind that health insurance does not typically cover the cost of revision surgeries.

Individuals may also want to consider whether cheaper surgical options are worth the cost of their life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that at least 93 U.S. citizens died in the Dominican Republic between 2009 and 2022 following cosmetic surgery. Tragedy struck in 2023 when Mexican drug cartels killed several U.S. citizens who had crossed the border with a friend looking for a tummy tuck.

Medical tourism to a foreign country is not necessarily a bad thing. However, you must do your homework and assess the benefits and drawbacks. Understand that miscommunications and language barriers can also impact your care and cause complications.

ASPS offers the Find a Surgeon tool to help patients locate plastic surgeons across the globe who are board certified and focused on patient safety. This can help simplify the search, as medical tourists should be aware there can be confusing regulations for international surgeons since the requirements to become a plastic surgeon vary from country to country.

Coming to America: Plastic surgery tourism works both ways

Some Americans may seek healthcare options outside the U.S. border, but medical tourism works both ways. International travelers aren't just heading to the U.S. for sightseeing and Disney. They are coming to America to get plastic surgery.

Why are foreign travelers seeking medical care in the U.S.?

"Some of the reasons people are traveling to the U.S. for plastic surgery include the high quality of medical care and advanced technology, the widespread availability of procedures in the U.S., and sometimes combining medical care with tourism," said Dr. Hadeed.

At the end of the day, that's what it all comes down to – quality.

"They come to the United States because they are seeking that quality of service," said Dr. Hamilton.

Houston and the surrounding area have a robust oil and gas industry. So does the Middle East. Dr. Hamilton suggested that this connection may be why she sees so many patients from that region. She also mentioned that some countries are just beginning to explore cosmetic surgery. These places may not have solid, established physicians or medical frameworks, leading people interested in cosmetic surgery to the U.S. for the time being because they have limited access to the procedures and care they need.

Just because the U.S. has highly trained physicians and some of the best medical technology in the world doesn't negate the fact that, even in America, medical tourism still carries some risk.

"I ask patients to stick around," said Dr. Hamilton. "The further they are away, the longer I ask them to stay in town. I want to make sure they get through that acute window of healing, which varies depending on what type of surgery you're having."

Dr. Hadeed has similar requirements when treating patients from other areas.

"The length of time someone needs to stay in the U.S. before they can travel again will depend on the number and type of procedures they have," said Dr. Hadeed. "Generally speaking, a minimum stay of one week is recommended after any elective surgical procedure, and oftentimes, the plastic surgeon may recommend that the patient waits at least two weeks prior to traveling. We also provide our patients with detailed postoperative instructions and request that they promptly inform our office if they have any issues once they return home."

It isn't limited to international travel

Medical tourism doesn't have to entail crossing international borders. Both surgeons also said they regularly see patients from out of state. No matter where you come from, the most crucial part of medical tourism is ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient.

"I want patients to have access to me," said Dr. Hamilton. "They'll have multiple virtual visits and then an in-person visit before we operate on them. That way, we have everything set up with them, whether that is home nursing, hotels or lymphatic massage appointments. It's tailored to their needs so they can come in and not know Houston or the city and still be taken care of."

What it really comes down to, regardless of whether you're going down the street or around the globe, is putting in the work to make sure you're in safe hands.

"Really do your research," said Dr. Hamilton. "Anyone can have a shiny website or cool social media presence. Do your research on the individual, where the surgery is being done, who is doing it and who the anesthesiologist is. These are all questions you should be asking. What is their certification and who is providing that certification? Just do your due diligence, particularly if it is in a different language."

No matter where your summer travel plans take you, you can have a positive medical tourism experience if you plan accordingly and understand the challenges.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.