Liposuction and Medical Tourism

With recent developments in health care, patient care for weight loss surgery (known as “Bariatric Surgery“) is being called into question. Recent news regarding patient safety, medical privacy and health care reform begs the question among prospective patients: “Is this all worth it?“

But many patients in North America are turning to an alternative for their health care: medical tourism.

Cost, safety, privacy and “fear of excessive taxation and regulation” are all contributing factors to prospective patients who are considering certain kinds of medical treatment, including weight loss and elective surgeries. Medical tourism is providing an alternative to patients with such concerns. But how far off the beaten path should one have to go for quality treatment in a safe, private and affordable setting?

Plastic surgeons like Hawaii liposuction specialist, Dr. Michael Pasquale, M.D., are in a unique and advantageous position. With a practice located in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Pasquale can offer plastic surgery procedures to patients willing to travel, but with all the safety credentials of a North American board certified plastic surgery practice. Median liposuction costs run about $5,000 per treatment area, but Dr. Pasquale touts a competitive average liposuction cost of about $3,500-4,500 per treatment area.

It is important to remember however, that along with its advantages, traveling abroad for medical treatment presents a new batch of potential risks as well. Foreign facilities may not be held to the same standards of safety and expertise. Furthermore, with foreign facilities, pre-screening for patient eligibility as well as post-surgical follow-ups are dubious, at best. Unless a patient is able to meet with their non-resident surgeon multiple times both before and after surgery, the level of care is inconsistent with that obtained by a local doctor.

There’s also the issue of full medical credibility, as the Canadian newspaper, The Drumheller Mail notes: “…one can’t help but be wary of an outfit who tries to sell their medical procedure with promises of free nights of hotel accommodation, travel planning, and sometimes with sightseeing opportunities thrown in!” As is the case with having your plastic surgery procedure performed locally, patient research of the practice and physician, procedure and surgical facility is a cornerstone of a successful surgical experience.

As the landscape of the medical industry and the care said industry provides continues to change, prospective patients must be reminded that protection of their health and safety are and rightfully still should be the chief concerns of all parties involved, including any medical professional who is even worth seeing for a consultation.