Women still account for the majority of cosmetic surgery treatments, at 91%. The most popular treatments are breast augmentation, neck lifts, facelifts, and eyelid surgery, whereas for men, the popular ones are breast reduction, nose jobs and eyelid surgery.
The number of men opting to have cosmetic surgery in the UK is on the up. Latest figures show that the number of treatments performed on men average out at nearly 5,000 each year.
Women still account for the majority of cosmetic surgery treatments, at 91%. The most popular treatments are breast augmentation, neck lifts, facelifts, and eyelid surgery, whereas for men, the popular ones are breast reduction, nose jobs and eyelid surgery.
Another aspect of cosmetic surgery is that the rise in popularity of social media gives companies the ideal platform to showcase their work. Not only that, but the demand for affordable cosmetic surgical procedures has created a healthy competition between companies, which has helped to keep prices in check.
Cosmetic tourism
A lot of people plan surgical procedures into their holiday plans these days. Cosmetic surgeries are often cheaper abroad, so you might consider travelling to one of the top-five preferred destinations for cosmetic surgery: Turkey, Brazil, India, Mexico, or Russia. There has been a sharp rise in the number of people who travelled abroad for surgery – an increase of 109% between 2015 and 2017.
The preferred destination on the planet is Brazil, which attracts 10% of custom for cosmetic surgery, although most UK citizens head for eastern/central Europe instead, because flights and surgery are cheaper, and journey times are shorter.
These preferred destinations have enjoyed increased patronage and foreign exchange as a result. The Czech Republic, for one, experienced a 304% increase in the number of visitors requesting nose jobs in 2016.
It has not all been plain sailing, however. There are added complications when planning plastic surgery outside your home country. Statistics show that two in five surgeons in the UK have had to deal with complications arising from a patient having had surgery outside their home country.
A poll of members of the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (BAAPS) revealed that the percentage of complications that have arisen as a result of surgery carried out abroad has increased by one-third. Not only that, but many of these complications would not have happened if the surgeons who carried out the procedures that used regulated equipment and materials.
The amount spent on corrective surgery is on the up, too. Latest figures show that in the UK alone, £8.2 million is spent on having their cosmetic surgery augmented or corrected.
A cosmetic tourist who had a nose correction surgery in Poland had this to say: “One thing you must consider is after-care. It is very stressful and hard to find a doctor to take care of it when you’re back home, as they are not familiar with your case.”
While it is preferable to return to the surgeon who carried out the surgery, others think differently. A patient who had a breast reduction in the Czech Republic said: “I am having revision surgery in the UK, where at least I can nip back if there are further problems, without an arduous and stressful six-hour journey each way and all the language difficulties.”
Providing some insight, Kaan Aksoy from GetHair says: “Not all countries outside the UK have a registered body or stringent regulations. It’s a lot easier to get research information about surgeons or hospitals on several websites. You can have a pleasurable surgery abroad – just ensure you do your due diligence and stay safe.”
How Brexit might affect the ease of cosmetic tourism
This is a valid concern especially with dwindling exchange rates for the euro and the pound. Surgeons are rightly worried about the possibility of a drop in numbers post-Brexit, and how it will affect NHS numbers for surgery in their hospitals. While the UK leaving the EU will mean the pressure on the NHS may reduce, citizens of the UK may have to spend more to travel abroad.
It is interesting to note that amid these Brexit tensions, the numbers of ‘cosmetic tourists’ as they are known does not look likely to go down any time soon. With improved technology, public confidence in successful surgery procedures is on the rise.
For the best experience, if you choose to have surgery, it is sensible to follow this advice to ensure that you choose the right cosmetic tourist destination:
- Ensure you have a conversation with your surgeon before surgery. This will help to reassure you of the kind of person who will be carrying our surgery on your body. It’s a good opportunity to ensure you are comfortable with the person who will be carrying out the work – and if you’re not happy, you have the option to pick someone else.
- Do not choose a surgery destination based on an advert on a website, especially if they are promising a holiday experience alongside surgery.
- Do not pay any individuals or hospitals you see online or offline before carrying out your background checks.
- Always make sure you have a good understanding of the surgery you are going in for, as well as any potential risks.
- Make sure you consult with your surgeon to get a thorough understanding of what the surgery entails.
- The very best surgeons will inform you of what to expect in recovery and how to plan for it, and will offer after-care as part of your procedure to help you recover without any setbacks.
There are positive testimonials for patrons of cosmetic tourism, just as there are risks for surgery whether abroad or at home.
A lady who travelled to South Africa for breast enlargement surgery had this to say about the experience: “Absolutely brilliant. I recommend for everyone not to be afraid about the so-called ‘low quality’, because the quality is excellent. And of course, not to mention all the money you can save.”
Ultimately, you need to weigh up the benefits and risks before embarking on any cosmetic surgery abroad. Do your research, choose a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and do check all small print and regulations before going ahead.
