The answer, typically, comes down to the "almighty dollar." Plastic surgery abroad is often much less expensive than if it were to be performed at a medical facility within the United States.



Since, in the US, "money talks," the insurance companies and the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) either will not cover elective plastic surgery at all, or else will charge the patient an extraordinarily large deductable fee.

Of course there are exceptions to this problem. In many cases, a patient need not seek plastic surgery abroad at a less expensive cost if the reason for the surgery is medically necessary rather than elective.

For example, a child born with a cleft palate or a seriously injured burn patient will require extensive plastic, or reconstructive, surgery in order to achieve a more "normal" appearance and emotional healing. Insurance companies and HMOs will cover the cost of these surgeries since they are considered medically necessary.

Conversely, procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, face lifts, rhinoplasty and other surgeries that are performed for the sole purpose of enhancing one's appearance are rarely, if ever, covered by HMOs and insurance companies.

Thus, an increasing number of Americans are seeking plastic surgery abroad. Even if the patient must personally pay for the procedure, it is much less costly than it would be in the United States.

This is most often because of the low cost of living in other countries, meaning that wages for top-quality physicians and registered nurses are lower. Having plastic surgery abroad passes these savings along to you. Procedures in the United States are more expensive because our cost of living so is very high.

What about standards of care? If you decide to obtain your plastic surgery abroad, the price of the procedure will be less, but will the quality of your surgery and post-surgical care be as great as in the United States?

Whatever medical facility you choose, look for a surgical staff whose credentials state "Board Certified F.R.C.S." (Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons) if the surgeon was trained in the UK, Australia or New Zealand.

When you have plastic surgery abroad at a qualified medical facility, you can be assured that you will receive the finest standard of care globally available, both in your surgical procedure and your post-surgical care.