Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Advantages of Medical Travel to the Philippines: Skilled Doctors

Another advantage that the Philippines offers to medical tourists is that in the Philippines, there are qualified, well-trained and highly skilled plastic surgeons who can do the procedures. Although cost savings are significant when you choose to come to the Philippines for cosmetic surgery, cost shouldn't be the only factor to consider, since it can cost more to remedy poor results done by unqualified cosmetic surgery providers. Lower cost doesn't mean sacrificing quality of care. Whether you are having cosmetic surgery done abroad or in your home country, choosing the right doctor is the single most important decision you will make. Choosing the right surgeon will ensure the quality of care you will receive.

In the Philippines, there are plastic & reconstructive surgeons who have had formal training in plastic and reconstructive surgery and have studied in some of Asia's best medical schools. Philippine medical and nursing curricula are more difficult than many in Southeast Asia. Some Filipino plastic surgeons have acquired their postgraduate or fellowship training from well-known institutions in the U.S. and other developed countries and have been mentored by leading American plastic surgeons. To enhance their expertise, they regularly attend various seminars and conferences worldwide, where new techniques in plastic and cosmetic surgery are introduced. Thus, they can provide equal or greater quality surgical care than U.S. hospitals at a fraction of the price.

However, patients should be aware that the greater acceptance and growth of cosmetic surgery among the general public has encouraged many Filipino doctors to perform cosmetic surgery, but not all of them have trained as plastic surgeons. Once doctors get their medical degrees, they may practice any specialty, even if they have not completed advanced training in the field they have chosen. And so, a doctor who performs cosmetic plastic surgery is not necessarily trained as a plastic surgeon. Thus, it is essential for patients to choose a qualified plastic surgeon with the training and experience that is essential for the success of the surgery. It is recommended that the patient choose a plastic surgeon who is duly certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery, the only board recognized by the Philippine College of Surgeons to certify plastic surgeons in the Philippines.

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