On the surface, medical tourism seems like a great deal. For much less than you would pay a plastic surgeon in the United States, you can have your desired procedure and recover in a luxurious location – away from the eyes of nosy coworkers and relatives. While it’s true that the comparative price of a procedure like breast augmentation or rhinoplasty is cheaper abroad than at home, you may end up paying much more in the long run.
The Mirror, a U.K. publication, recently featured the story of Sue Briddick, who went to Turkey in 2011 for a tummy tuck and breast lift. She told the source that she was suspicious that the clinic insisted that she pay cash, but she decided to have the surgery anyway.
“After a four-hour journey, when I got there I changed my mind,” Briddick said to The Mirror. “I just wanted to go home. But they coaxed me into staying. After the two-hour operation, I went to stay with the [caregiver] who wasn’t medically trained and her apartment was covered in cat hair.”
Upon returning home and removing her bandages, Briddick discovered that she had contracted necrosis – an infection that kills tissue. She also realized that her surgeon had given her breast implants instead of a lift. She spent a month in the hospital to get rid of the infection.
This story is not meant to frighten you, or discredit physicians abroad. It is important to remember, however, that many countries do not have the standards and regulations in place to protect patients from unqualified doctors.
Plastic surgery is definitely something that you should have performed close to home. For Nashville breast augmentation, contact The Lett Center today!