A guide to cosmetic surgery abroad

NOTE: This guide can be downloaded as a PDF document to read at your leisure.

More and more people are considering cosmetic surgery abroad.  Some are attracted by the competitive prices offered in overseas destinations; others wish to combine their treatment with a relaxing period of recovery in a sunny climate.

But for the patient considering cosmetic surgery abroad, there are many concerns. What are the conditions like in clinics overseas? Is the surgeon suitably qualified? Where can I get the best deal? What questions should I ask about the treatment? What happens if I am unhappy with the outcome of the surgery?

This guide attempts to answer these questions and guides the patient through the process of exploring the options for cosmetic surgery abroad. It has been developed through the experience that we have gained through operating the Treatment Abroad web site and our knowledge of the medical tourism industry in general.

The Treatment Abroad Guide to cosmetic surgery abroad is sponsored by Clinic BeauCare, one of the leading providers of cosmetic surgery in Belgium.

In the guide:

• Cosmetic surgery abroad – is it right for me? 
  Reasons to get cosmetic surgery, advantages and disadvantages of travelling abroad and deciding where to go.

• Cosmetic surgery treatments available abroad
  It is possible to have a vast range of cosmetic surgery treatments abroad, but choosing whether to travel for them needs careful thought. 

• Which are the top destinations for cosmetic surgery abroad?
  From destinations in Western Europe such as Belgium, Spain and Germany, to clinics in Eastern Europe, Mexico and Turkey, to locations such as South Africa, India and Thailand, you can choose from a wealth of high quality, low cost cosmetic surgery clinics.   

• How do I compare countries/clinics/surgeons?
  The key to a successful outcome is to do as much research as possible so that you can choose the country, clinic and individual surgeon to suit your needs.

• Comparing the costs of cosmetic surgery abroad
  How do you go about comparing the costs of cosmetic surgery abroad, and what factors should you consider to make sure you get a good deal?

• Typical costs for popular cosmetic surgery treatments abroad
  The prices in this guide provide an average price of each procedure in each country, based on published prices from an example supplier.

• Get a quote for cosmetic surgery abroad

• How is cosmetic surgery abroad regulated?
  while cosmetic surgery is well regulated in some countries, the rules and regulations are less stringent in others.

• Aftercare and cosmetic surgery abroad
  Every type of cosmetic surgery will have a period of recovery, during which time you may need additional medical care.

• Insurance for cosmetic surgery abroad
  Insurance for medical travellers is a developing area within medical tourism. New medical travel insurance products have begun to appear. 

• What if something goes wrong with cosmetic surgery abroad?
  What happens if something goes wrong with your cosmetic surgery abroad?