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Why You No Longer Need To Travel Abroad For Cosmetic Surgery

Years ago, many women (and men) travelled abroad for cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation and hair transplants. Locations such as Turkey, Malaysia and Czech Republic were hot destinations for ‘cheap’ cosmetic surgery that boasted much lower costs than in the UK.

Mrs Carla M Babicki  |  RGN

Last Updated On: July 12, 2024 | Published On: July 16, 2019

mr-shivram-singh-2

Medically reviewed by Mr Shivram Singh MBBS, FRCSI, FRCS (Plast), Medical Director & Lead,
Medical Advisory Committee for Manchester Private Hospital
Last Reviewed August 25rd 2022

However, with the advances in medicine and technology, combined with more accessible UK clinics and an increased number of skilled surgeons, the cost of surgery has slowly decreased.

Ten years ago, it was not uncommon for people to consider travelling to parts of Europe and other countries for surgery, this was because, even with additional associated costs – such as insurance and expenses – the procedures still worked out cheaper than opting for surgery in the UK.

But as time has passed, the cost of surgery has become a lot more affordable – including the introduction of cosmetic surgery finance, which allows patients to spread the cost of their payments across a number of years. Thus making the regular payments affordable and inline with their budget.

UK Surgery Vs Abroad

With any type of surgery, be it at home or abroad, research is always advised.

But when comparing UK procedures with procedures performed abroad, it is imperative that you make a true comparison.

This means looking beyond the price tag and considering all factors, such as potential risks, safety standards, aftercare and follow-up treatment.

As every cosmetic surgery procedure comes with potential side effects and complications, you should think about what you would do if something were to go wrong.

In the UK, a cosmetic surgeon has a legal obligation and responsibility to provide aftercare plans and follow-up treatment. Whereas surgeons and clinics located abroad may not.

In addition, not all clinics abroad will have links to the UK, therefore any follow-up communication and / or procedures would result in you returning to the original clinic, potentially costing you more money than you originally intended.

Furthermore, overseas clinics may operate lower standards than the UK, which could potentially increase your risk of infection. Aside from this, language barriers may mean that you do not fully understand the extent of your surgery and any small print attached to it, until it is too late.

Benefits Of UK Cosmetic Surgery

The idea of travelling abroad for surgery is often marketed in a clever way to make it sound more attractive and appealing. Some companies even offer vacation packages that include your surgery and a holiday in one.

However, these companies are not always vetted and it is difficult to distinguish between a genuine clinic and a rogue one. Meaning it is very easy for a rogue trader to take people’s money and disappear.

Therefore you should always only trust what you can see and never hand money over without either seeing your surgeon or visiting the clinic where your surgery will be performed.

Having surgery in the UK comes with its own benefits that are often overlooked when compared with surgery abroad. Benefits include:

  • Accessible consultation, where you can meet with the surgeon who will perform your procedure before committing.
  • Know that UK standards are high and often much higher than overseas.
  • Have peace of mind knowing that UK clinics are regulated to ensure high quality care at all times.
  • Less travelling time to and from your surgery, including avoiding risky flight complications.
  • Better communication between patient and clinic.
  • Aftercare and follow-up appointments with professional medically trained staff.
  • No need to have additional insurance (such as travel insurance).
  • Affordable finance by regulated lenders with low deposits.
  • Reduced risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis caused by flying.
  • Speak only with surgeons and other medical professionals. Some companies abroad hire sales men and women to attract ‘customers’.

UK Cosmetic Surgery Costings

In order for you to compare UK cosmetic surgery versus overseas, we have listed some approximate figures for popular cosmetic surgery procedures so that you can see how much you might expect to pay in the UK.

This will help you to gain a better understanding and make an informed decision when weighing up the pros and cons.

Breast augmentation – from £3490
Breast Uplift – from £5,990
Vaser liposuction – from £2200
Tummy tuck – from £5,990
Hair transplant – from £3 per graft
Facelift – from £5,500

As you can see, costs for each procedure is a lot less than what cosmetic surgery used to be over ten years ago.

There is also no / low interest finance available with low deposits from £500.

If you are unsure about cosmetic surgery in the UK compared with procedures carried out abroad, call us today on
0161 507 8822  discuss.

We operate on a pressure free policy at all times and there is no obligation with all our consultations – available at a convenient time for you.

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