Doctors have issued a warning that the NHS is being drained of funds to fix botched cosmetic surgeries conducted abroad, costing taxpayers dearly.
One surgeon spoke out against people who try to get surgery done cheaply while on vacation, calling them “disasters from Turkey.” He said his unit is being flooded with patients who have complications from their surgeries.
A recent daily mail article has described how medics have called on the Scottish Government to declare a public health emergency warning over the dangers of cheap “cosmetic tourism” holidays.
It comes as hospitals and specialist NHS units are seeing increasing numbers of patients who need urgent treatment after nip and tuck surgery abroad has gone badly wrong.
One hospital had to admit 11 patients in just ten days with serious complications in October 2022, with a plastic surgeon warning the situation was “becoming endemic”.
The 11 admissions in ten days was described by officials as “exceptional” although the other three units have all seen a “steady trickle” of around one admission a month.
After one patient who flew to Turkey for a a botched tummy tuck was ruled unfit for corrective surgery, the fuming medic added: “I cannot imagine any surgeon in the UK who’d have felt this was a good surgical patient.
“This vulnerable patient group are not well informed and often think they are combining a holiday with bargain surgery. Some of these complications will leave patients with lifelong deformity or disability. Patient education needs to be the key.”
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In recent years, medical tourism has become a popular way to save money on elective procedures. But when it comes to cosmetic surgery, is it really wise to go to a cheaper “cosmetic tourist doctor”? The answer is an emphatic “no”!
Cosmetic surgery should be viewed as an investment in yourself – and that means choosing quality over cost. Visiting an experienced and qualified cosmetic surgeon will ensure your results are natural-looking yet effective. A cosmetic tourist doctor may appear cheaper but this could end up costing you more in the long run when you consider the risks of the procedure not being carried out correctly or to standard.
Cosmetic tourist doctor doctors also provide much less access to aftercare and support services. If something were to go wrong, who can you turn to for help? Visiting a reputable expert cosmetic surgeon gives you full access to their team for as long as you need it, meaning any complications can be dealt with swiftly and easily.
The bottom line is that if you’re considering cosmetic surgery, it pays to have peace of mind rather than money saved in the bank. Investing in quality care from an experienced specialist offers the best possible outcome while protecting your health, safety and financial well-being in the long run. If you’re looking for an expert cosmetic surgeon or dentist, feel free to get in touch with Zenith Cosmetic Clinic.