Initial breast augmentation surgery has less associated complications than revision surgery. I would not advise going abroad for revision surgery, in case you need additional care at a later stage once you have returned home.

Complications

Infection

Infection, hematoma’s and seroma’s are the most common complications. An infection can lead to necrosis (death of cells) and can result in breast implant extrusion weeks after the procedure. Infections can also be deadly if not treated quickly. This is why if you are having breast augmentation surgery abroad, it is highly advisable to have a backup surgeon you can consult if you are unwell after the surgery when you return home. The NHS in the UK will treat surgical infections, however, it is unlikely they would replace breast implants if they had to be removed.

Breast augmentation is considered to be a relatively safe procedure with low complication rates and choosing to have surgery abroad is a personal decision. It may also be necessary if you want certain procedures such as Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (T.U.B.A) that is not available in the UK. For more information about Breast Augmentation

Financial savings are the main reason most individuals seek to have breast augmentation abroad. With careful research, it is possible to locate appropriately qualified surgeons abroad, that are able to offer breast augmentation for less than you would pay in your own country, especially if you are from the UK or the USA.

Check:

Plastic Surgeons Qualifications – do not rely on the plastic surgeon’s website, always check with the appropriate external bodies.

Clinic or hospital accreditation – from an external governing body.

Remember:

Revision surgery for breast augmentation complications may be required months or even years after the initial procedure. Always check what revision surgery you are covered for if required, before deciding on a provider.

For more information on  Breast Augmentation.

Please consider:

The risk and costs of needing to have medical care in the country you are having plastic surgery if there are complications and you need to be moved to another hospital, for treatment.

Cost of revision breast augmentation surgery in your own country.

The emotional impact of breast augmentation and recovering on your own, after plastic surgery.

Language barriers that could impact your communication and recovery.

Do Not:

Never choose a plastic surgeon based on reviews online, they may be fake or just feature a handful of patients that have been satisfied. A few good reviews give no indication how many patients have experienced complications. Patients that are choosing to pursue compensation may have been advised not to leave a negative review or may agree to an out of court settlement with an NDA.

Trust the results shown on before and after patient photographs, you are only ever going to see the good results!

I have put together a Consultant Register, to provide information on UK and USA plastic surgeons with a specialist interest in breast surgery; that have the qualifications and experience to perform plastic surgery to the highest standards.  I personally check every plastic surgeon’s qualifications and memebrships to professional bodies with the external regulatory bodies. Unlike other sites with consultant directories I do not allow reviews as I feel they can be misleading.

Questions to Ask Prior to Booking Any Plastic Surgery Procedure

Always have a virtual consultation with the plastic surgeon who will be doing your procedure if possible and ask the following questions. Please note even the most suitably qualified and experienced plastic surgeons may occasionally have patients that experience complictions or are not satisfied with their results.