11
Apr
Many Australians choose to travel overseas to undergo Cosmetic Surgery in developing Asian countries such as Thailand, due to financial reasons.
Cosmetic Surgery in Thailand often costs less than half to what it does here in Australia. But is it worth the risk? Let’s explore this question.
There is no doubt that there are many internationally recognised Cosmetic Surgery Hospitals in Asia and many Australians opting to have surgery there are happy with the overall outcome. However, just like anything else, there is always a flip side to these Cosmetic Surgeries overseas.
In recent years, it has been highlighted in the media that there is an ever-increasing number of Australians who have had adverse outcomes after having surgeries overseas.
In most cases, the problems have to be fixed here in Australia since the costs and logistics associated with travelling back overseas for a corrective surgery are significant and often practically impossible due to health reasons.
It is a fact that cheap Surgery in Thailand can be compared with buying a replica electronic gadget on the streets of Bangkok without a warranty. You are taking a gamble. A faulty electronic device can be discarded, but with a poorly performed cosmetic surgery, you have to live with the results for the rest of your life.
Here is a summary of the three critical issues identified by some of the patients we have seen at Medisculpt clinic about their experience in having surgery overseas:
1- You don’t exactly know who your surgeon is going to be once you are under the General anesthesia.
This is true! There are several International Celebrity Cosmetic Surgeons based in Bangkok. Your initial consultation may occur with one of them either in person or via Skype, and you will be confident that the doctor you have consulted with earlier will be performing your surgery. But in most cases, once you are asleep, the actual operation is performed by one or more of the junior trainee doctors working as employees under that Surgeon.
For Bangkok Hospitals, the reason they can offer discounted Cosmetic surgery is that they maximise the use of hospital surgery theatres and staff resources by operating upon multiple patients simultaneously on any given day. It’s the number game.
The chief Surgeon who is representing the hospital usually just overseas these operations being carried out in different rooms by junior doctors.
The entire process is literally like a fast food chain or commercial meat processing plant.
2- Government Health Departments tasked with regulating the Health Facilities are often poorly controlled themselves.
Another unfortunate reality in these developing countries is the weak and incompetent Government Agencies due to corruption.
Hospitals anywhere in the world can only be run safely and effectively when strict occupational health and safety laws are in place and are being enforced. This is not the case with many developing nations around the world.
It is very easy for a superbug to spread through the entire hospital system. Blood-borne diseases like HIV or Hepatitis C may easily be spread through contaminated instruments or blood transfusions. Hospital Hygiene standards vary from place to place.
3- Every Surgery carries a risk whether done in Australia or Thailand. But undergoing cosmetic surgery overseas increases the risk significantly.
This is true. Complications from any surgical procedures can occur no matter how good the doctor is. They happen in Australia as well. However, there are several factors that determine whether surgery is successful or not and one key factor is the patient’s healing ability. Not everyone is a good healer and post-surgical complications arise four weeks to months post surgery.
These include and are not limited to:
A- Acute or chronic wound infection including cyst and abscess formation.
B- Deep Vein Thrombosis ( DVT)
C- Tissue contraction and scarring.
D- Formation of keloid scars.
E- Body’s rejection of the implant.
F- Contracting communicable disease such as HIV and Hepatitis C due to cross contamination.
G- Contracting a super-bug infection such as Golden Staphylococcus which is resistant to most Antibiotics. These bugs are commonly found in the wards and surgical theatres of hospital facilities in most developing countries. There is also a risk of contracting some exotic tropical illness unrelated to the surgery.
The purpose of this article is not to scare you off from cosmetic surgery but to educate you so you can make a better and informed decision.
Dr Ehsan Jadoon