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Greater than three million individuals journey to bear cosmetic surgery annually, statistics present – however the potential financial savings come at a price.
Most individuals opting to pursue this so-called “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly value tags.
Worldwide surgical procedures, reminiscent of hair transplants in Turkey, can price as little as $4,000–$5,000 in comparison with $20,000–$30,000 within the U.S., however typically include excessive dangers, in response to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian.
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The physician lately joined Lisa Brady on the “The FOX News Rundown” podcast to debate the rising development of medical tourism. One of many largest dangers, she stated, is the dearth of security laws in standard locations like Mexico and Turkey.
As demand spikes in these medical tourism “mills,” there have been studies of non-medically educated workers performing procedures like hair transplants.

Most individuals opting to pursue “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly value tags. (iStock)
“I’ve heard that they [international clinics] are even recruiting individuals who perhaps have been taxi drivers after which placing them via their very own coaching program … to turn out to be hair transplant technicians,” Nazarian shared. “That’s how excessive the demand has turn out to be.”
Within the U.S., medical college graduates are granted a “doctor and surgeon” license, which suggests docs — together with pediatricians or OB-GYNs — can legally carry out beauty surgical procedures, even when they didn’t obtain specialised coaching for these procedures throughout residency, Nazarian famous.
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As a substitute of pinching pennies, the physician recommends paying no matter quantity is critical to make sure quality treatment.
“Individuals consider it as, you realize, going to the mall … it’s surgical procedure, and surgical procedure has dangers,” she stated. “You’ll want to be with somebody who not solely can carry out a beautiful surgery, however who can deal with attainable problems properly.”
“You’ll want to ask them: ‘What was your residency coaching in? And for those who wished to, would you be allowed to do that process in a hospital?’”
Aftercare is one other important issue within the success and security of a beauty process, because the physician emphasised that 20% of a surgical outcome relies on post-operative care.
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This may be tough and even inconceivable to handle when a physician is in a distinct time zone, she cautioned, or if the clinic disappears shortly after the process.
Nazarian additionally mentioned the significance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no process will repair underlying unhappiness. The physician stated she makes use of screening questionnaires to make sure that sufferers are actually searching for self-improvement reasonably than a “remedy” for deeper points.

Worldwide surgical procedures, reminiscent of hair transplants in Turkey, can price as little as $4,000–$5,000 in comparison with $20,000–$30,000 within the U.S., however typically include excessive dangers. (iStock)
“If you happen to’re not already usually very content material along with your life, a knife in my hand isn’t going to convey you there,” Nazarian stated.
“The analogy I all the time give is you do not need a paisley sofa – you need a impartial sofa and you may put paisley pillows on it,” she stated, noting {that a} process ought to “make you look regular, God-given, athletic. After which you’ll be able to change your garments when the developments come and go.”
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Dr. Samuel Golpanian, MD, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, stated he has additionally seen an rising variety of sufferers present process cosmetic procedures overseas, generally with “devastating penalties.”
“The secret is being extraordinarily cautious earlier than embarking on this journey.”
“I’ve seen a variety of problems, together with infections, poor wound therapeutic, vital scarring and tissue necrosis (pores and skin demise),” he instructed Fox Information Digital. “These problems typically result in extended ache, ongoing medical issues, and vital extra prices to restore the harm.”
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Golpanian stated he’s handled sufferers who acquired unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which might result in critical long-term well being points.

One surgeon stated he’s handled sufferers who acquired unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable supplies, which might result in critical long-term well being points. (iStock)
“I’ve additionally seen harm to underlying buildings, asymmetry and outcomes which can be extraordinarily tough — generally inconceivable — to right.”
“That stated, I’ve additionally seen some good outcomes, so it’s not all dangerous,” he famous. “The secret is being extraordinarily cautious earlier than embarking on this journey.”
Fast suggestions for secure ‘medical tourism’
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- Absolutely vet the surgeon. “Most surgeons will present details about their training and coaching, but it surely’s essential to not settle for these claims at face worth,” Golpanian stated. “Confirm them immediately by contacting the establishments the place they educated.”
- Ask for references from prior sufferers. Ideally, it’s finest to get references from U.S.-based sufferers who can converse candidly about each their expertise and their outcomes, the surgeonsaid.
- Don’t focus solely on price. Golpanian emphasised the adage “you get what you pay for.” “Price ought to take a again seat to expertise, coaching, judgment and confirmed outcomes,” he suggested.
- Be cautious about counting on before-and-after photographs. These might be selective and even enhanced, Golpanian warned.
- Maintain aftercare in focus. “Make sure that the observe emphasizes complete follow-up care and has a transparent, real looking post-operative plan in place.”