If you've been considering cosmetic surgery but couldn't afford it, you can benefit from the current trend of medical travel. More and more people from all over the world are traveling to other countries to get medical, dental, and surgical services from hospitals and other health destinations. Many patients wanting to get cosmetic plastic surgery prefer going "on vacation", remaining anonymous and returning home looking refreshed and younger without anyone knowing they had surgery. For those with limited vacation time, medical travel provides an ideal opportunity to avail of medical services and have a vacation at the same time.
A significant number of foreigners are choosing to undergo their cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in countries like Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Cuba, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand and the Philippines. Many patients considering going abroad for their medical procedures often wonder which country to choose. What are some of the advantages of choosing the Philippines as a destination for patients planning to have cosmetic surgery?
The primary advantage in medical tourism is cost. You can save a lot of money when you choose to have cosmetic surgery done in the Philippines. Because of the favorable exchange rate (as of March 2007, it is $1= P49), both local and foreign patients who otherwise couldn't afford cosmetic surgery can benefit from the lower overhead costs and professional fees. Surgeon's fees, anesthesiologist's fees, and facility costs are much lower. Thus, procedures can be performed at a fraction of the amount you would spend on the same procedure in the US or Europe. Cost savings are significant for cosmetic surgery procedures. For example, the average cost for liposuction (one area) in the United States is $2500-4500. In the Philippines, the procedure can cost only $800 for the first area and $500 for succeeding areas. For breast augmentation, the average cost in the United States is $6,000-8,000, while in the Philippines, the procedure can cost as little as $2,500 to $4,600. More about costs of cosmetic surgery procedures in the Philippines.
Aside from the favorable exchange rate, cosmetic surgery is also much more affordable in the Philippines than in the United States because overhead costs in the U.S. are very high because of health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and medical malpractice insurance policies that are very expensive. It is not uncommon for U.S. patients to sue their doctors and hospitals. Thus, even if a patient's surgery goes well, with no complications, the patient still have to pay high fees to cover these overhead costs. As a medical tourist in the Philippines, you don't have to pay for malpractice insurance costs, legal fees, and settlements. Your money actually goes to the plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists and other health workers who are treating you.
If you are considering medical travel, you may ask, "What if the surgery doesn't go well?" In reality, things can go wrong in surgical procedures, whether or not your surgeon has medical insurance. Malpractice insurance at the time of your surgery doesn't affect your outcome. In the Philippines, plastic surgeons know that their reputation is at stake. They know that they must give you quality service and results. Otherwise, word will spread and other patients won't come to them. This is the incentive they have to keep offering high standards and quality results.
Read more of these articles:
How to Select a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
The Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines
Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines
Information about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon
and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines
