Specialist Facial Plastic Surgeon Scottsdale

When looking into having plastic surgery, many people consider traveling to have their procedure. There are a variety of reasons why a person might consider this option. Some people live in an area where there aren’t any qualified plastic surgeons, such as a rural area or small town. Some are looking for a cheaper price on their surgery. Others want to have a specific surgeon perform their procedure. They may prefer to have their surgery performed by a specialist in a specific area or procedure.

It’s certainly possible to travel to have plastic surgery. However, there are a few things that are important to keep in mind. Traveling for surgery can introduce certain risks, and you’ll need to be prepared to do what you can to address those risks.

Please note that this article is primarily intended for people from the US. For those who live in other parts of the world, the factors that go into the decision of whether to travel for plastic surgery may be different, although some of these concepts will still apply. 

Traveling abroad for plastic surgery

The idea of traveling to another country to have plastic surgery can be very enticing. Because of the exchange rate, it’s often possible to get a very good deal on a surgical procedure. In some cases, the cost of traveling to another country and getting surgery there may still be less than the cost of getting the same surgery closer to home. Because plastic surgery represents a significant investment, it’s tempting for many people to try to reduce the cost in this way.

It’s very important to use caution in this situation. Keep in mind that different countries have very different laws about the practice of medicine. In the US, you get some protection from the regulatory bodies that license surgeons and operative facilities, and you also have the ability to sue a surgeon for malpractice if they behave in an egregiously poor way and you experience harm as a result. In other countries, you may not have reassurance from licensing bodies, and you may not have any recourse if something goes wrong. You’ll need to do a lot of research to ensure that you’re choosing a good facility and surgeon, and there’s still significant risk involved even if you do so.

Ensuring good postoperative care after traveling for plastic surgery

Keep in mind that a surgeon’s care isn’t limited to the day of the procedure. In fact, surgical care begins long before surgery, when you first have a consultation. It also continues for a few months after surgery, throughout the healing process.

If you do choose to travel to another country for surgery, you’ll need to have your consultation virtually. You should also meet your surgeon in person at least a day or two before the procedure. If you won’t meet your surgeon in person until the day of surgery, this may be a red flag. 

In addition, you’ll need a plan in place for postoperative care. You’ll need to plan on remaining in the area near the surgeon for at least a week or two after surgery, so you can be properly cared for. Keep in mind that taking a long-haul international flight soon after having a surgical procedure can be challenging and even dangerous in some cases, so you’ll want to make sure you plan enough time for healing before you do this. In addition, you’ll need a plan for following up with your surgeon over the months following your procedure. 

It’s also important to ensure that you’re well cared for during your immediate postsurgical period. In general, you shouldn’t be alone for at least 24 hours after surgery, since you’ll have had anesthesia. You could bring a trusted friend or family member along with you to care for you during this time, or you could hire someone to do it, although this requires that you make sure you do enough research to know that you can trust the caregiver while you’re vulnerable. Make sure there’s a plan in place for this.

Risk of blood clots after traveling for plastic surgery

In addition, keep in mind that one of the major risks of any type of surgery is the formation of blood clots. The risk of blood clots is increased when you’re immobile for a long period of time. Although surgery is one situation in which this can occur, flying on a long-haul international flight also increases blood clot risk significantly. If you travel to a surgical center and then have surgery soon afterward, then you’re piling two different causes of increased risk on top of each other.

To reduce this risk, make sure that you arrive at your destination at least a few days before your procedure. Once you get there, get plenty of physical activity (such as taking walks) and stay well-hydrated. This will give you a chance to enjoy your destination before you have your procedure, in addition to reducing your blood clot risk.

Traveling in the US for plastic surgery

Although some people do choose to travel to another country in order to have plastic surgery, it’s also possible to travel within the US for plastic surgery. In fact, some people really have no other choice, because they live in an area where there aren’t any qualified plastic surgeons. In general, plastic surgeons practice in more populated areas, and there are few if any to be found in rural areas or smaller towns.

People might also choose to travel within the US to see a particular surgeon. Ultimately, the quality of your results depends significantly on the skill of your surgeon. It may feel worthwhile to travel to get your procedure with a surgeon who has expertise in a particular procedure. The hassle and expense of travel may seem like a worthwhile investment when you consider that you’ll have to live with your results for the rest of your life. 

Traveling within the US to get a procedure is significantly safer than traveling abroad. You’ll be protected by regulatory bodies and the legal system, so there’s less worry about the quality of your surgeon. However, you’ll still want to consider factors like who will care for you after surgery. You could choose to bring a trusted friend or family member with you to help out, or you could hire a caregiver for the immediate post-surgical period. 

You’ll also want to ensure that your surgeon has a plan in place for postoperative care. Normally, people see their surgeons about a month to six weeks after a procedure, to ensure that everything is healing well. It’s possible that this visit can be completed virtually from your home. If you develop any complications that require additional medical or surgical care, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for how to deal with those.

Specialist facial plastic surgeon Scottsdale

Dr. Henderson sometimes has patients travel from other areas to seek care with her. Because she’s a specialist in facial plastic surgery, people may seek out her skills and expertise and are looking for the great results she’s able to achieve for her patients. If you don’t live in the greater Scottsdale area, but would like to have Dr. Henderson perform your surgical procedure, this is an option. Our front desk staff can help you with making your arrangements.

 

Whether you live in our area or not, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Henderson. Please contact our front desk to book your appointment or to learn more about the process.