Cosmetic Surgery Holidays - page 2

10 months ago 13th Jan 13:41

A survey carried out by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in 2007 showed that a third of its members reported an increase in the amount of people wanting repairs done for cosmetic surgery carried out abroad, which suggests that package holidays are not always a beneficial means of avoiding costly UK prices for surgery.

For women, the most popular forms of surgery are breast implants (augmentation), eyelid surgery to remove excess fat from the upper and lower eyelids (blepharoplasty), facelifts, liposuction and breast reduction, according to Cosmetic Surgery Consultants. (3)

Cosmetic surgeons saw an increase of 36% for facelift procedures between the years 2006 and 2007, and a 15% increase for liposuction in the UK, but this increase in popularity is likely to be even higher in countries where such procedures are comparatively cheaper than they are in Britain.

For example, facelifts costs an average of £6,750 in the UK, according to Treatment Abroad, and they cost approximately £1,074 in Brazil. Likewise, breast implants cost around £4,350 in Britain, and a mere £713 in Cuba.

Such low costs could imply a lack of after-care facilities, consultations and cleanliness, and plastic surgery can sometimes have negative implications. Infections can occur if wounds are not properly looked after, and scarring can worsen if they come into contact with sunlight.

Also, some packages do not include overnight stays in clinical accommodations such as hospitals, and people are expected to stay in less-than-satisfactory accommodation immediately after undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Despite this, it appears that many people are still determined to go under the knife to improve their looks, and Cosmetic Surgery Consultants (3) reveal that in 2007, over 29, 000 people underwent cosmetic surgery, ranging from nose jobs (rhinoplasty) to brow lifts.

There has also been a notable increase in popularity of the ‘designer vagina’, which can include labia reduction (labioplasty) and vaginal tightening (colporraphy). These procedures are most common amongst women who have given birth, and Gorgeous Getaways offers this ‘designer vagina’ package for £3,780 in Malaysia, which includes a ten night stay in an apartment for two people.

Such an increase in popularity could largely be a result of plastic surgery becoming more acceptable within western societies, combined with a reduction in people’s self-perceptions following this trend for improved appearances.

A recent survey by Cosmetic Surgery Consultants (3) showed that 90% of women said that their body made them feel ‘down’, and that two thirds of these women would consider undergoing plastic surgery to achieve their perfect look.

The survey also revealed that the body parts women least like are their hips, thighs, bottoms and waists.

Rarely, such dissatisfaction with their appearance enables people to have cosmetic surgery through the National Health Service for free. These are exceptional cases though, and normally the NHS will only consider plastic surgery for health reasons.

According to the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons, “There must be a full clinical assessment of the patient by the general practitioner, the plastic surgeon and, where appropriate, a psychiatrist or psychologist.

“It should be recognised that many of these patients are deserving and should have the opportunity of surgery as there is significant social, psychological and physical benefit to be gained.

“However, at present aesthetic surgery on these grounds is perceived as low priority. Surgery carried out purely for beautification or rejuvenation cannot be justified within the National Health Service”. (4)

For example, the NHS will consider breast reduction if a woman is suffering from back pain, a nose job if a person is struggling to breathe properly, and eyelid reduction if sight is impaired.

People who go abroad to have plastic surgery often decide to undergo more procedures than one in an attempt to get each one at a reduced rate. Therefore, combined procedures and promotions are also on the rise.

Gorgeous Getaways offers the "Ultimate Makeover" Package, which includes a full facelift, breast lift, full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), thigh lift and arm lift, for a cost between £12,352 and £15,740.

Plastic surgery is also increasingly popular amongst men, and 2,881 men underwent cosmetic procedures in 2007, according to Cosmetic Surgery Consultants.

The most popular procedures for men are nose jobs, liposuction, eyelid surgery, ear correction (otoplasty) and facelifts. (3)

For more information about Surgery Holidays, visit .gorgeousgetaways.com.

By Kay Taylor

(1) Treatment Abroad.net

(2) Beauty Treatment Expert.co.uk

(3) Cosmetic Surgery Consultants.co.uk

(4) Bapras.org