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Plastic Surgery in Thailand- is it Safe?
- By Jake Thomas
- Published 12/22/2011
- Destinations
- Unrated
Plastic Surgery in Thailand- is it Safe?
This is an infamous question asked by everyone considering plastic surgery in Thailand. It is also a very valid question, and one that I would like to shed some light on from my personal experiences. Realistically, there have been numerous press articles and releases regarding the topic of Plastic Surgery in Thailand. Ultimately the governing bodies within the Australian Medical Industry are going to try and persuade Australian residents from getting any form of surgery abroad.
As someone who has personally experienced the plastic surgery in Thailand, I would like to share my views on this topic. I have had first hand experience in both the Australian and Thai hospital systems, and naturally my girlfriend has also travelled to Thailand for Plastic Surgery procedures.
I would like to share my personal experiences. Please find below, along with my views on each topic:
A. Australian governing bodies have no control and regulation over foreign health systems and their proceedings
Naturally this is going to be a strong viewpoint regarding any well established association. They believe that they do it better. Lets face it- The Australian Medical Industry didn't spend hundreds of years advancing their research, qualifications and practices in Plastic Surgery to do a bad job. In fact, our resources here in Australia are amongst the best in the world, however, this does not give means to invalidate similar industries in other countries. I believe that the results delivered by carefully chosen facilitators and experts for Plastic Surgery in Thailand are superior to a majority of Australian providers and I have experienced this first hand.
B. It is argued that foreign medical education and practices could be inferior
Continuing on from viewpoint A above, this is also to be expected. Realistically, Thailand is a third world country. A large amount of the Thai population live in poverty. However, the notion that 'if you can't drink the water then how can you trust the hospitals' is completely false. The truth is that chosen hospitals for Plastic Surgery in Thailand are all privately owned by very wealthy entities, whilst still being governed to meet International standards. In facilitators such as Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Phuket International hospital, the establishments resemble 5 Star hotels more so than clinical hospitals.
Most plastic surgery or cosmetic treatments in Thailand are approximately one third the price of having the same procedure done in Australia. The reason behind this is simple, the cost of living in Thailand is so much cheaper. The cost of food, houses, transport, services is less- enabling medical facilitators to charge less and still sustain an abundant lifestyle. Take breast augmentations for example. In Australia the cheapest you can have this procedure done for is $7500. This is usually by a cosmetic surgeon in a day clinic, where as a patient you will sit in a waiting area to be sent home at the end of the day. Note that there is 5 extra years of training between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Choose experienced Thai plastic surgeons have been trained under the American system. I know that I would prefer a world class hospital and a doctor who has performed over 300+ full sex change operations (turning men in to ladies) to be responsible for my girlfriends breast augmentation over a cosmetic surgeon in a day clinic which is more than three times the price here in Australia.
C. Some believe that 'surgery and holidays' don't mix
This is true, yet there is a lot of information floating around that is contradictive of this. The AMA states that they think holidays and surgery (plastic surgery in Thailand) don't mix. Then Australian plastic surgeons are marketing that you can be back at work within 2 days of your breast augmentation. This is a little confusing? If a patient is well enough to go back to work after two days then surely they are well enough to recuperate with a relaxing holiday? The reality for me, and my experience with a Travel group from Cosmeditour in September of 2011- while all of the girls were healing well into their second day, they wouldn't be ready for work until at least 5 days after their operations. They spent most of their time post surgery lying beside the pool at our villa and exploring some of the local attractions. The fact that they had their whole Plastic Surgery in Thailand experience for less that $5,500 including flights and accommodation made them a very happy bunch of people to be traveling with.
D. Some believe that you don't have the opportunity for follow up consultations and supervision if any complications arise once you are back in Australia
This is also a valid argument. The truth is this. You will not be discharged from hospital until your doctor is happy with your recovery. If you need to stay an extra night or two, you will be accommodated- free of charge. Thats right, no extra payments necessary. Once you travel back to Australia, our cosmetic travel centre, Cosmeditour, organised for local plastic surgeons who can provide advice if there are any further complications.
As a prospective plastic surgery in Thailand candidate- I am sure that you have done your research and homework on the topic, and have come across information following several of these viewpoints. I wanted to share my experience with my girlfriend and her group of friends, to shed some light on what a medical tourism holiday really represents in the land of smiles!
As someone who has personally experienced the plastic surgery in Thailand, I would like to share my views on this topic. I have had first hand experience in both the Australian and Thai hospital systems, and naturally my girlfriend has also travelled to Thailand for Plastic Surgery procedures.
I would like to share my personal experiences. Please find below, along with my views on each topic:
A. Australian governing bodies have no control and regulation over foreign health systems and their proceedings
Naturally this is going to be a strong viewpoint regarding any well established association. They believe that they do it better. Lets face it- The Australian Medical Industry didn't spend hundreds of years advancing their research, qualifications and practices in Plastic Surgery to do a bad job. In fact, our resources here in Australia are amongst the best in the world, however, this does not give means to invalidate similar industries in other countries. I believe that the results delivered by carefully chosen facilitators and experts for Plastic Surgery in Thailand are superior to a majority of Australian providers and I have experienced this first hand.
B. It is argued that foreign medical education and practices could be inferior
Continuing on from viewpoint A above, this is also to be expected. Realistically, Thailand is a third world country. A large amount of the Thai population live in poverty. However, the notion that 'if you can't drink the water then how can you trust the hospitals' is completely false. The truth is that chosen hospitals for Plastic Surgery in Thailand are all privately owned by very wealthy entities, whilst still being governed to meet International standards. In facilitators such as Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Phuket International hospital, the establishments resemble 5 Star hotels more so than clinical hospitals.
Most plastic surgery or cosmetic treatments in Thailand are approximately one third the price of having the same procedure done in Australia. The reason behind this is simple, the cost of living in Thailand is so much cheaper. The cost of food, houses, transport, services is less- enabling medical facilitators to charge less and still sustain an abundant lifestyle. Take breast augmentations for example. In Australia the cheapest you can have this procedure done for is $7500. This is usually by a cosmetic surgeon in a day clinic, where as a patient you will sit in a waiting area to be sent home at the end of the day. Note that there is 5 extra years of training between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Choose experienced Thai plastic surgeons have been trained under the American system. I know that I would prefer a world class hospital and a doctor who has performed over 300+ full sex change operations (turning men in to ladies) to be responsible for my girlfriends breast augmentation over a cosmetic surgeon in a day clinic which is more than three times the price here in Australia.
C. Some believe that 'surgery and holidays' don't mix
This is true, yet there is a lot of information floating around that is contradictive of this. The AMA states that they think holidays and surgery (plastic surgery in Thailand) don't mix. Then Australian plastic surgeons are marketing that you can be back at work within 2 days of your breast augmentation. This is a little confusing? If a patient is well enough to go back to work after two days then surely they are well enough to recuperate with a relaxing holiday? The reality for me, and my experience with a Travel group from Cosmeditour in September of 2011- while all of the girls were healing well into their second day, they wouldn't be ready for work until at least 5 days after their operations. They spent most of their time post surgery lying beside the pool at our villa and exploring some of the local attractions. The fact that they had their whole Plastic Surgery in Thailand experience for less that $5,500 including flights and accommodation made them a very happy bunch of people to be traveling with.
D. Some believe that you don't have the opportunity for follow up consultations and supervision if any complications arise once you are back in Australia
This is also a valid argument. The truth is this. You will not be discharged from hospital until your doctor is happy with your recovery. If you need to stay an extra night or two, you will be accommodated- free of charge. Thats right, no extra payments necessary. Once you travel back to Australia, our cosmetic travel centre, Cosmeditour, organised for local plastic surgeons who can provide advice if there are any further complications.
As a prospective plastic surgery in Thailand candidate- I am sure that you have done your research and homework on the topic, and have come across information following several of these viewpoints. I wanted to share my experience with my girlfriend and her group of friends, to shed some light on what a medical tourism holiday really represents in the land of smiles!