Plastic Surgery Tourism
Cheap Cosmetic Medical Procedures in Tunisia, India, Korea, Thailand
Some nations advertise low-cost medical procedures bundled with luxurious vacations, while Belgium focuses on foreign patient needs & promotes its healthcare system.
Cosmetic surgery represents one of the most competitive market niches in international trade.
American Cosmetic Surgery Costs
According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the average total cost for a facelift performed in the United States is US$8,500 while a tummy tuck costs about $6,400.
Even in America, prices vary widely by state. For example, patients who choose to have cosmetic surgery performed in a southern state like Alabama can expect to pay about 40% less than in New York.
Many American plastic surgeons are quick to point out that a highly skilled surgeon is vital to a successful operation. They argue that a competent professional is justified in charging more, since inexpensive surgeries tend to involve shortcuts that may save on costs but increase health risks. Cheap but poorly performed procedures can become very expensive when they necessitate a series of corrective surgeries.
International Surgical Discounts
The small North African nation of Tunisia offers a facelift surgery package for about US$4,300. The package includes hotel accommodation in Tunisia for up to 10 days plus transfers from the airport.
India is a leading promoter of medical tourism with over 500,000 foreign patients annually. Cosmetic surgery in India costs up to 90% less than comparable procedures offered in other countries. Indian medical vacations feature tourist attractions including beaches, the Himalayas and cities that showcase thousands of years of Indian culture.
Some perceive South Korea to be a less attractive tourist stop for a cosmetic surgery vacation, particularly in comparison to other Asian countries like Thailand or Japan. However, Korea compensates by offering plastic surgery to foreigners at rates that are a fraction of Thai and Japanese prices.
How much weight should prospective patients give to the prominence of the country that offers plastic surgery as a tourist attraction?
Plastic surgery touches the emotional need to look and feel better. Therefore, some international online sites for cosmetic surgery supplement their glitzy medical tourism ads with patient testimonials as well as before-and-after photos and videos.
Cosmetic Surgery Destination Credibility
Direct Healthcare International is a unique site from Belgium that focuses on quality care, low prices and easy travel arrangements. Cosmetic surgical facilities in Belgium aspire to be the healthcare destinations of choice for the United Kingdom in particular, taking advantage of Belgium’s strategic location across the water from England.
Belgium targets Brits seeking to escape from the following concerns with U.K. plastic surgery:
- long waiting lists
- secondary infections
- risks associated with surgery in U.K. facilities.
Belgian cosmetic surgery is available in fully inclusive packages with travel, hotel, chauffeur, insurance and other details essential to a successful operation. A full tummy tuck package costs US$5,904 in Belgium, while a facelift package goes for as low as $4,726.
The Direct Healthcare International site is superlatively designed, rich in information to help its U.K. patients find pertinent information to help plan for a prospective surgery. The Belgian site offers online bookings, payment via credit card and a finance plan from a specialist finance broker based in England.
The Belgian site may well represent the best-of-breed business model for cosmetic surgery in the international trade marketplace. A recognized world leader in healthcare, Belgian facilities offer comprehensive support service to all of its patients including cable TV with English channels and bedside phones. In addition, patients and visiting relatives are ferried to and from the airport or train station.
By focusing on patient comfort and needs, the Belgian site appears to be a global gateway to a safe and secure medical vacation - complete with plastic surgery.
