07 Jul
Turkey

Sun, sand, nip, tuck: one in three up for medical tourism

Looking for an affordable face lift without breaking the bank? Want to combine a tummy tuck with two weeks holiday abroad ? You’re not alone.

Nearly a third of people surveyed around the world say they are open to the idea of medical tourism – traveling abroad to enjoy cheaper medical or dental treatment according to a new Ipsos poll of 18,731 adults in 24 countries.

Indeed, 18 per cent said they would definitely consider it.

TURKEY

What better place to tuck up that turkey neck. Turkey is up and coming as one of Europe’s most reasonable destinations for cosmetic and plastic surgery. Prices are significantly lower than in North America or in Western Europe, but quality standards are decent. Many experienced Turkish surgeons are internationally trained and multilingual, and several Istanbul medical facilities are clean and modern. Of course, you need to choose your surgeon and facility wisely. Ask a lot of questions, verify credentials, check referrals and more. Budget shouldn’t be your only criteria when considering a serious cosmetic procedure.

“The concept of medical tourism is well accepted in many countries,” said Nicolas Boyon, senior vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs.

“With the exception of Japan there are at least one third of consumers in every country we covered that are open to the idea,” he said in an interview.

Whether for economic reasons or perceptions of superior treatment elsewhere, for treatments ranging from cosmetic to life-saving surgeries, Indians, Indonesians, Russians, Mexicans and Poles were the most open to the idea of being medically mobile.

Thirty-one per cent or more people in each of those countries said they would definitely consider traveling for a cosmetic, medical or dental treatment.

Conversely, people in Japan, South Korea, Spain and Sweden were least likely to be medical tourists.

Boyon said it was not surprising that men and women from emerging nations would be medically mobile if the treatments were cheaper.”This probably reflects perceptions of medical care in other countries that is superior to what is available at home,” he said.

But he was intrigued by the percentage of people in developed nations such as Italy, where 66 per cent said they would definitely or probably consider medical tourism, along with Germany (48 per cent), Canada (41 per cent) and the United States, where 38 per cent of people were open to the idea.”It is a reflection that the medical profession is no longer protected from globalisation,” Boyon said.

RISKS VS. BENEFITS

Although medical tourism spans a range of treatments, the most common are dental care, cosmetic surgery, elective surgery and fertility treatment, according to an OECD report.

“The medical tourist industry is dynamic and volatile and a range of factors including the economic climate, domestic policy changes, political instability, travel restrictions, advertising practices, geo-political shifts, and innovative and pioneering forms of treatment may all contribute towards shifts in patterns of consumption and production of domestic and overseas health services,” the report said.

Various studies using different criteria have estimated that anywhere between 60,000 to 750,000 US residents travel abroad for health care each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Along with variations among countries, the Ipsos survey showed that younger adults under 35 years of age were more likely in most countries to consider medical tourism, than people 50 to 64 years old.

Boyon suggested that the cost of travel, proximity, borders and quality of care may also be factors considered by potential medical tourists. In both Italy and Germany, about 20 per cent of adults said they would definitely consider medical tourism. Both countries are near Hungary, a popular destination for health treatments.

Ipsos conducted the poll in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea,Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

Based on story published in The Sydney Morning Herald- Traveller

Reuters

30 Jun
Cosmetic surgery for Men, NEWS, Turkey

Medical tourism in Turkey: Why it is a cosmetic surgery hub

Known for its pristine Aegean beaches and architectural wonders, Turkey also draws tourists for its cosmetic treatments.

Turkey’s health and cosmetic surgery industries have the winning tickets in a globally competitive marketplace with throngs of red scalped men in Istanbul’s public squares and bandaged noses in its metro stations. It’s unlikely to disappear anytime soon with Australia the latest nation to take notice.

The bottom line is that cosmetic surgery is big business for Turkey and it’s all about the price!

Patients are drawn to Turkey for procedures like hair transplants due to cheap prices and the speed of procedures 

Flights back from the Turkish city to Western Europe or the United States and now Australia are often full of people bandaged up, avoiding eye contact with fellow travellers.

Fillers, botox treatments and rhinoplasties are also popular procedures for tourists looking to change their appearance.

Affordable prices, visa free entry and short flight distances from much of West Asia, North Africa and Europe, all add to the appeal of visiting Turkey to get medical and cosmetic procedures done.

Some experts are watching the trend with concern, though, pointing to unethical marketing tactics, results that do not match up with promises and lack of legal protections.

Despite this, the country is a top ten destination for medical tourism globally, with 600 registered clinics in Istanbul alone, according to Patients Beyond Borders (PBB), an organisation that surveys medical tourism.

According to local media reports, more than 100,000 people visit the country for hair transplant procedures alone, the vast majority from Arab states. 

The importance of cost

“People can find quality service at affordable prices and work with surgeons and technicians who know the job well,” Ekram Caymaz tells Middle East Eye, succinctly explaining the appeal of “getting work done” in Turkey.

A leading clinician in hair transplantation at Istanbul’s Hair Upload clinic, Caymaz says patients are drawn to Turkey for its comprehensive approach to customer care.

For example, most clinics will not offer the surgery alone but as a package deal, which can include everything from flights, transfers, luxury accommodation, regular aftercare and even tours of the city.

Patients with bandaged heads after undergoing hair transplants in Turkey 

For the customer that means every aspect of the procedure is taken care of – they simply need to turn up.

Prices are another draw, with Caymaz charging between $4,000 and $6,000 for his hair transplant procedure, which is considered cheap. Others can be as low as just over $1,000, though the quality of service inevitably varies wildly.

In comparison, procedures such as hair transplants are not available for free on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and can cost as much as £30,000 ($36,700) when done privately. 

Similarly, cosmetic rhinoplasties can cost around £7,000 in Britain ($8,570), not including the cost of consultations and follow ups, whereas in Turkey the procedure costs less than half that.

Key overheads, such as staff salaries, are much lower in Turkey than in Western Europe or the US, while standards of medical training are relatively high compared to other countries in the Middle East or Asia.

Turkey’s ongoing economic crisis has also helped depress prices to a degree that keeps them affordable for Europeans. 

Speed of treatment

But price is not the sole reason for the popularity of cosmetic and other procedures in Turkey.

Speed of treatment is another factor, albeit one that serves as something of a double-edged sword.

Weight loss surgeries, for example, are only available on the NHS in extreme cases, for people who have a body mass index of 40 or more, meaning they are severely obese.

Before proceeding, patients must agree to a rigorous long term follow-up after the surgery, including making healthy lifestyle changes and regular check-ups. Even for people who are eligible, the wait for treatment can last years.

A general view shows the Blue Mosque and the empty Sultanahmet square after a blast in Istanbul’s tourist hub on January 12, 2016. – At least 10 people were killed and 15 wounded in a suspected terrorist attack in the main tourist hub of Turkey’s largest city Istanbul, officials said. A powerful blast rocked the Sultanahmet neighbourhood which is home to Istanbul’s biggest concentration of monuments and and is visited by tens of thousands of tourists every day.

Safety and the black market

Some experts, though, have warned that patients in search of quick and affordable solutions could be setting themselves up for trouble further down the line.

Cosmetic dentist Sam Jethwa, from the UK-based Perfect Smile Studios, tells Middle East Eye that patients can easily be misled when it comes to cosmetic procedures. 

“Getting a dental procedure abroad means you risk not having any legal protection, which can leave patients with difficulties afterwards,” he says, adding that patients can also be misinformed, resulting in needing further treatment or repeat procedures.

“The need to have corrective work done back in the UK due to botched cosmetic dentistry procedures (abroad) is on the rise,” Jethwa says. 

“We see these patients attending our clinic afterwards regularly, sadly after patients have already chosen treatments that they were not fully appreciative of the risks of.”

While there is no suggestion that a typical procedure in Turkey will result in problems for patients, there are those looking to capitalise on the trend and exploit vulnerable patients.

The International Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), a global non-profit medical association active in over 70 countries, has launched a campaign named Fight the Fight in an effort to shed light on the dangers of the “medical black market” and medical tourism package deals. 

Launched in 2019 in response to the growing number of people going to unlicensed technicians to get hair surgeries, the organisation offers support to victims of treatments that have gone wrong and provides education and training about the subject. 

ISHRS says there have been cases where doctors or those purporting to have medical training have misled patients and carried out illegal practices, resulting in injuries, scarring and the depleted or uneven appearance of hair. 

Caymaz reiterates that the onus to make an informed decision lies with the patient.

“Although clinics and hospitals are inspected, there are so called ‘under the stairs’ places, which are much cheaper,” he says. 

“It is very important to examine their social media and videos, the words they say and what is written must match up.”

According to the doctor, one of the main issues within the industry is the lack of follow-up after the operation to ensure there are no complications.

“This is a very important detail, and most clinics in Istanbul do not follow up after the operation. Even customers who have had operations in other clinics ask us about this,” Caymaz says. 

Social media and medical tourism

Anyone likely to have mentioned hair loss, weight gain or insecurity about their looks online is likely to have been bombarded with Instagram or Google adverts promising affordable and sometimes miraculous solutions to their issues.

Part of the reason for the popularity of medical and cosmetic tourism is social media advertising.

This trend is compounded by entertainment news coverage of celebrities going public about their own procedures.

rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasties are one of the most common surgeries patients come to Istanbul.

Hair transplants are very popular among footballers, with Wayne Rooney confirming he had one in 2011 and Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi putting his dramatic weight loss down to a gastric bypass in 2010.

Selena Marianova, a UK based 22-year-old social media content creator and clinic owner, says that social media has an “undeniable influence” on individuals considering surgical enhancements. 

In a YouTube video, viewed over 300,000 times, Marianova recounts her experience to her followers. She says that she wants to help other people by sharing information, and that she chose Turkey for her surgery because of their advanced medical technology and experienced doctors. 

Marianova went to Istanbul for a rhinoplasty in 2019, cautioning, however, that young people need to feel confident in who they are before they proceed with any surgical enhancements.

“Plastic surgery isn’t to be taken lightheartedly,” she says. “Being a content creator, it is extremely hard to not pinpoint parts of myself that would need ‘improvement’ because I am constantly looking at myself in videos, photos and in the mirror, which can be very mentally draining for people who do not have a strong self concept.” 

The link between social media use and negative self-image is well established by researchers but for all the ethical considerations, the bottom line is that cosmetic surgery is big business for Turkey.

In 2018, the cosmetic enhancement industry was worth $2bn in Turkey and hair transplants alone are now a billion dollar industry. 

Those valuations are likely to have increased in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a surge in interest in cosmetic surgery globally.

Despite the concerns, Turkey’s health and cosmetic surgery industries are winning tickets in a country otherwise suffering economically.

The throngs of red scalped men in Istanbul’s public squares and bandaged noses in its metro stations are therefore unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition. and English

14 Jun
Kuala Lumpur

A stronger, more positive comeback for Malaysia’s medical tourism

MHTC aims to continue developing existing offerings and enhancing healthcare experiences through niche branding initiatives. — Photos: Pixabay

Malaysia’s health tourism sector, which has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, is showing signs of a stronger comeback as the nation heads into 2023, propelled by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025.

Malaysia has built a strong reputation as a safe and trusted global destination for healthcare over the past 10 years, with visitors from across the world coming for a range of treatments.

In the next phase, this segment will continue to focus on treatment services such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), cardiology, oncology, orthopaedic, neurology, dental, aesthetics and general health screening, while unleashing the full potential of the industry, covering the areas of preventive treatments and healthcare.

Five-year industry blueprint

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) chief executive officer Mohd Daud Mohd Arif said, during the recovery phase, more emphasis is being placed on the healthcare travel ecosystem as readiness measures for the industry to recover and move into a new phase.

“We are now in a solid position to embark on the next phase of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint in 2023 to rebuild the industry, while enhancing service delivery of a seamless end-to-end experience for all healthcare travellers.

“Guided strongly by the blueprint, we are on course for a continuous and sustainable industry growth, focusing on providing the best Malaysia healthcare travel experience by leveraging our strengths in three key pillars.

“The three pillars consist of the Healthcare Travel Ecosystem, which focuses on enhancing service quality and experience of care; Malaysia Healthcare Brand, to increase brand cohesiveness across key touchpoints and amplify our brand equity in core markets; Markets, (which) we are looking at growing beyond primary markets and exploring more niche markets to strengthen our presence,” Mohd Daud said in an interview.

MHTC will be enhancing these pillars through collaborations with local, regional and global stakeholders to create value for the entire industry.

“The rebuild phase will also see the industry driving forward with a focus on both curative and preventive treatments as well as several niche branding initiatives such as in cardiology, oncology, fertility, and dental treatments as well as premium wellness offerings, inviting healthcare travellers to experience and rediscover the best of healthcare in Malaysia,” he added.

Top destination

Currently, Malaysia is ranked among the top medical tourism destinations in Asia, alongside India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.

President of the Association of Private Hospitals (APHM) Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh has said, Malaysia is one of the best in South-East Asia in terms of cost and high standard of healthcare.

Mohd Daud said Malaysia’s healthcare system has been internationally recognised and has garnered numerous global accolades over the years. They include International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Destination of the Year: Malaysia (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020); IMTJ Cluster of the Year: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020); Asia Pacific Healthcare and Medical Tourism Awards (2016-2022); and International Living: Asia’s Top Destination for Retirement Living (2015-2022).

He said Malaysia saw significant declines in healthcare travel revenue from RM1.7bil in 2019 to RM777mil and RM585mil in 2020 and 2021 respectively, due to the Covid-19

“However, the industry’s swift response to the pandemic has led to fruitful results. Anchoring heavily on public-private partnerships (PPPs), our success as a destination has been an all-industry effort. Together, we have cultivated a solid ecosystem, further positioning Malaysia as a safe and trusted destination for healthcare travellers as we recover from the pandemic,” he added.

Malaysia’s healthcare travel sector will focus on several treatment services this year, including dental.

Malaysia’s healthcare travel sector will focus on several treatment services this year, including dental.

Following the opening of borders in April this year, the sector has seen an encouraging surge in the number of healthcare traveller arrivals

“As of the third quarter of (Q3) 2022, the industry recorded RM726mil of revenue, bringing us closer to our target of achieving RM1bil for 2022. This signifies the healthcare travellers’ trust on Malaysia as a safe and trusted healthcare travel destination, as well as the industry’s positive recovery and growth,” Mohd Daud said.

Discover new fields

Leveraging the demand for niche treatments and its excellent track records, MHTC aims to continue developing existing offerings and enhancing the Malaysia healthcare experiences through niche branding initiatives, which include preventive healthcare and wellness.

“In recent years, the global population has become increasingly diligent in prioritising their physical and mental wellness.

“In response to this trend, Malaysia healthcare introduced a Premium Wellness Programme, an industry-wide collaborative effort with top-tier private hospitals, hotels and travel companies in the country to integrate comprehensive health screening, world-class accommodation and leisure tour offerings into one convenient comprehensive premium package for healthcare travellers.

“Through this programme, we aim to empower the global population by inspiring healthier lifestyles via enhanced health screening offerings, with options for add-ons for dental aesthetics, cosmetic procedures and focused screenings and treatments for Hepatitis C, cancer and heart related disease,” said Mohd Daud.

Malaysia Healthcare has identified Indonesia, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar as core markets based on the volume of healthcare travellers, as well as the growth potential in the respective markets.

It also plans to increase the market penetration in those countries while aggressively raising the country’s profile in secondary markets like Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Australia.

“Currently, Indonesia represents one of the key markets for Malaysia Healthcare, with healthcare travellers from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan making up the majority of those seeking care in Malaysia, to complement the healthcare services obtained in their home country.

“Penang and Melaka are healthcare travel hot spots for Indonesian travellers, dominating more than 70% of total arrivals,” he added.

In terms of travellers by origin, Malaysia continues to attract healthcare travellers from many countries, not just within the region.

For the past decade, citizens from Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Britain, and the United States make up the top countries of arrival in Malaysia.

Poised for positive growth

Meanwhile, MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC) chief executive officer Zahri Abd Ghani said the health tourism sector’s growth after the pandemic brought positive spill-over effects on the organisation.

Buoyed by the turnaround, MSUMC undertook to refresh its mission of “Caring, Healing, Educating” by providing quality, accessible and affordable services to its customers based on MHTC’s recovery plan for the industry.

MSUMC which began operations in January 2019, offers treatment services such as neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedic, cardiology, nephrology, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ophthalmology.

“In general, the segment for overseas patients at MSUMC covers health check-up such as brain and backbone screening package, orthopaedic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, general surgery, nephrology, neurosurgery and cardiology.

“The world-class health care services provided by hospitals such as MSUMC, continue to open the floodgates for healthcare tourism. Malaysia has emerged as one of the preferred destinations for medical tourists given its highly-specialised medical treatment options, reasonable fees and patient comfort coupled with experienced medical experts who are fully equipped to meet patient demands,” he added.

MSUMC has earned international recognition for its reconstructive surgery such as for lymphoedema (chronic condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissue), gum cancer, acid burn, omphalocele (birth defect of the abdominal wall) and craniofacial growth (the cranial base matures earlier than the face).

MSUMC has also received full accreditation from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for a four-year term as recognition for achieving compliance to service quality and healthcare safety standards.

“The recognition that Malaysia earns as among the world’s best medical and healthcare tourism destinations augurs well for the sector, which remains on a positive trajectory with ample room for growth,” he said adding that it would directly push demand for skilled human resources and generate more employment opportunities.

He said MSUMC has proactively worked in collaboration with the health tourism industry stakeholders particularly MHTC which plays a vital role in promoting Malaysia’s health tourism to the global community through cooperation with regional and international media practitioners.

High standards

A senior lecturer from the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Melaka, Akmal Adanan said, emphasis should be given towards safety and health aspects based on set guidelines by the authorities, noting that local health tourism management practices should be on par with international standards to gain tourist confidence.

Industry players should be ready to offer flexible, reasonable and varied service packages in addition to taking proactive steps in accepting the latest technology, such as adapting the Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for data analysis and to meet customer needs.

“The ‘Chatbot’ system that is available in ML allows service providers to interact for 24 hours with their clients online to respond to various queries including providing effective treatment schedules.

“Hospital authorities and service providers should maximise their service promotions especially on the social media platform. The promotion content should be more creative, focusing on soft selling marketing approach such as short videos that provide information as well as useful health tips while promoting the facilities, doctors’ expertise and special services offered,” he said.

Coordination between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Health and MHTC should be strengthened to ensure the health tourism sector provides quality service and continue to attract more tourists from both locally and abroad.

Finance incentives aimed at boosting the operational resilience of the health tourism sector such as awarding of grants, subsidies, sponsorships and deductions or tax exemptions should be considered for the sector’s revival, in addition to tourist friendly policies, rules and procedures such as simplifying the visa process.

In addition, educational programmes, training and professional development courses for industry players can help enhance the quality of their products and services.

“In general, the tourism sector has experienced significant declines in terms of tourist arrivals and earnings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It may take a long time before the industry can recover to its pre-pandemic levels.

“However, the health tourism sector is poised for positive growth next year given that quality health services are always in demand especially among tourists from neighbouring Indonesia and Singapore as well as China.

“Besides being blessed with scenic and attractive sites for tourists to spend their vacation, the highly trained doctors as well as competitive treatment costs are also a major draw among medical tourists to Malaysia,” he said, adding that continuous studies should be conducted on certain groups’ inclination for choosing treatment destinations. – Bernama

Published in The Star Monday, 02 Jan 2023

15 Apr
Bali

Bali’s new hospital is opening soon!

Medical tourism in Bali

The beautiful holiday island of Bali is set to be a medical tourism destination new international hospital built by the Indonesian Ministry of State-owned Enterprises in partnership with the US-owned Mayo Clinic. NipTuck Holidays sources say Sanur International Hospital, the new world-class international 300-bed hospital, is on track for completion in this year with the concept is to position Bali as a world-leading health tourism destination!

The Sanur International Hospital is bringing in consultants from the Mayo Clinic and  international doctors and surgeons who have graduated and practised abroad, with the focus on South Korea.

Currently the legislation makes it hard for doctors and other medical professionals who have trained outside of Indonesia to come to work in the country, however the recruitment process is underway for specialist doctors and that only the best candidates will be chosen.

The Governor of Bali said, “the aim is to position quality, safety, and patient experience at the highest international standards.” He told the audience that the whole project is being designed in partnership with the NipTuck Holidays partners Mayo Clinic, the best hospital in the US. The partnership is developing not only the hospital building itself but working to create the best governance, management, and workplace culture possible.

The international hospital is being built on a former golf course on the coast of Bali near Sanur, close to Grand Inna Bali Beach Resort. The area is on the quiet east coast with white sand beaches and is popular with retirees and elderly tourists.

The hospital grounds merge with the famous Bali Beach Grand Inna Hotel, a new meeting and exhibition center, and a living pharmacy featuring an ethnomedical botanical garden to draw upon traditional Balinese medical practices as complementary therapy to the modern practices within the hospital. There will also be a commercial center for health, wellness, and medical-related medium, small, and micro-enterprises to support the local economy further.

Bali Beach Grand Inna Hotel

While Bali has become synonymous with wellness travel, there will be an even greater focus on medical, health, and wellness tourism and together with NipTuck Holidays to promote Bali as a medical tourism destination.

25 Oct
Cosmetic Holidays, Cosmetic surgery for Men, Medical Tourism, Travel, Turkey

Medical Tourism in Turkey

Published in the International Business Times

Health

By IBT Contributor on 10/21/21 at 4:34 pm edit

Medical tourism in Turkey is one of the driving forces behind its economy as thousands of patients flood the international clinics and hospitals in Turkey every year all year round to undergo different treatments.

The various treatments that foreign patients look for in Turkey include simple non-surgical treatments to the most invasive surgical and medical treatments.

Beautiful view on Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

Why is Medical Tourism in Turkey Popular?

Turkey has a unique geographical location, especially its most famous city Istanbul, which is only a three hours flight from most of the capitals in the world.

Istanbul has gained an irrefutable reputation in the field of medical tourism because of many factors including:

  • Advanced medical techniques and the newest technologies are used in different medical fields.
  • Well-trained and experienced doctors, nurses, physicians, and others working in the medical field.
  • Price may be one of the most effective factors when it comes to the increasing number of foreign patients who choose medical tourism in Turkey.

The cost of treatments, as well as the cost of living in Turkey, is low when compared to different European countries, the USA, or Canada (incl. Australia and the UK) 

  • Hospitals and clinics that are built and operated according to the best European standards.
  • It is easy to acquire a visa to visit Turkey for most nationalities.

What are the Fields of Medical Tourism in Turkey?

As we mentioned earlier foreign patients come to Turkey seeking many treatments, the most popular of which are:

  • Hair transplantation:

Istanbul is the first destination when it comes to hair transplantation. There are hundreds of hair transplantation clinics that provide their patients with natural results and perform this procedure using different techniques and the latest discoveries in the field.

  • Dental Treatments:

Turkey became among the most famous medical tourism destinations in the field of dental treatments because of the high quality of the materials used in the treatments on the one hand, and the affordable cost of these treatments on the other.

International dental clinics, welcomes thousands of patients every year to have dental implants, dentures, or Hollywood smile treatments among many other dental treatments that are less costly than most of the European countries.

  • Plastic Surgery:

Plastic surgery is one of the beams that hold medical tourism in Turkey. Turkey is among the top ten countries in the world in this field. Patients choose Turkey to have their plastic surgery due to the affordable pieces, high-quality services, accredited hospitals, and clinics.

Prices of treatments, hotels, and other expenses in Turkey are cheaper by 60% to 80% when compared with other different countries especially North America, Canada the UK and Australia.

Dental medical tourism in Turkey witnessed a leap in the number of foreign patients who choose Turkey as the destination for receiving dental treatments. Clinics like Dentakay welcomed thousands of dental patients during the past months who came to Turkey to have dental treatments and spend their vacations in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Istanbul.

It is worth mentioning that the number of medical tourism patients in Turkey in 2019 was 551,748 patients with 2 billion US dollars in revenues. The expected revenue of medical tourism in Turkey by 2023 is 20 billion US dollars according to some Turkish officials who anticipate an increase in the number of patients who choose Turkey as a destination for leisure, business, and medical tourism.

 

28 Jun
Medical Tourism, Mexico, Phuket, Plastic Surgery, Thailand, The state of international travel right now, Turkey

Interested in a Brazilian Buttock Lift?

With Phuket back in reopening in a few days and back in the game, it’s time to start talking about plastic surgery again in Phuket and we couldn’t be more excited! But Phuket as you have seen is emerging different than how we remember it with it’s new facelift! And instead of everything boobs like it was a decade ago we are talking about butts! BBLs to be exact. I mean 10 years the BBL just wasn’t a thing!!!!

Continue reading to find out how much Brazilian buttocks lift costs and options where you can get it, and what result you will receive in Thailand, Mexico and Turkey…

Phuket has had a facelift and instead of the change from the obsession of everything boobs a decade ago we are talking about butts! BBLs to be exact. I mean ten years the BBL just wasn’t a thing!!!! Either using implants or harvesting fat from other parts of the body and adds it to the buttock in order to give the body a more hourglass shape.

Have you done your research here in Australia and checked out the prices? If you wonder about the cost of Brazilian butt lift and want to save money, we have better options overseas with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons that are far more experienced and highly trained than they are in Australia! Here you will find a combination of experienced doctors and affordable prices. Continue reading to find out how much Brazilian buttocks lift costs and options where you can get it, and what result you will receive.……

 

This material has information purposes only and aims to tell about the most cost-effective skilled inpatient care. Please understand though as per normal this is basic information with starting basic with starting prices, and every Plastic Surgeon will require you to complete your medical forms so we have your individual medical history and submit photos so he can assess if you are a good candidate for this procedure and give recommendations on the best surgery to achieve the best results and confirm the price. The choice is yours.

All prices, saving rates, and other cost information given below have 3 independent sources and more information can be found about the procedure on our website.

 

  1. Our partnered hospital teams, representatives, who are responsible for price relevance and other info on the clinic
  2. Our partnered Plastic& Reconstructive Surgeons and medical teams

 

Why do people choose Mexico for the Brazilian butt lift?

Mexico is among the top most popular countries for plastic surgery in the world. According to ISAPS statistics, over 1 million plastic surgeries are performed here annually. This amount of procedures would be enough to make over a big city like Barcelona.

 

So, people choose this country for the BBL due to the following reasons:

 

  • Low price. The cost of Brazilian butt lift in Mexico is about 2 times lower than in the USA. The price starts from $4,500 in Mexico and about $8,000 in the USA. Such a low cost is explained by general price policy within the country and high competition between the local plastic surgery clinics.
  • Experienced doctors. A lot of highly-professional doctors work in Mexico. They have decades of experience, practice in the leading world’s clinics, and are members of the international organizations to interchange the experience and find out about new techniques in plastic surgery.
  • Convenient location. It takes about 2 hours to get to Mexico by plane from the USA. So, American patients often choose Mexico for plastic surgery due to low prices and favorable location.

If you have any questions on receiving Brazilian butt lift in Mexico, submit a request to get consultation. This option is free.

Book an online consultation

 

Costs of BBL in different countries

Here are the starting prices of BBL and are general prices are not taking into account individual needs to the client. The final cost is estimated by Plastic Surgeon are client has submitted their medical forms and photos for their assessment.

 

 

Country Cost
Turkey $5,000 USD
Mexico $4,500 USD
Australia $12,000 AUD ($9,000 USD)
Thailand $5,600 USD
USA $8,000 USD
South Korea $8,600 USD
*Prices are approximate and may change according to the clinic’s internal price policy and exchange rates. ** Note that the final cost is estimated by treating physician.

 

How to choose the clinic for Brazilian butt lift?

The success of the Brazilian butt lift directly depends on the clinic where you are going to have the procedure. NipTuck Holidays have have very select criteria to ensure the highest standards in each country, all covered with international insurance and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons with years of experience. They also include:

 

  • The clinic’s brand reputation. Better to choose the clinic for Brazilian butt popular with international patients and that has got international accreditations.
  • Patient reviews. Search for the reviews on a clinic to learn more about the experience of real people. The feedback will help you to understand the level of service and plastic surgeries success rate.
  • Doctor’s experience who will perform the procedure and a doctor’s professionalism is much more essential thing. Check out a doctor’s CV, his/her experience and education.
  • Social media.
  • Recommendations of past clients, good results,
  • Before and after photos. One more point that will help you to make the right decision is to see the result of BBL procedures performed in a clinic.
  • We will provide you with all info confidentially based upon your assessment including prices, doctors, portfolio and before & after photos.

 

Is it safe to get BBL in Mexico?

Any change of your appearance or body with plastic surgery requires responsibility from you. Our network of hospitals and plastic surgeons are carefully selected comply with the highest level of medical services according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery In Mexico, our plastic surgery services that work under international treatment protocols and serve medical tourists from over the globe comply to these guidelines.

 

And like anything else when deciding on having a Brazilian butt in Mexico, you should find as much info as possible on it — reviews, before and after photos of customers, doctor’s CV, awards. If you have any difficulties BBL in Mexico or would like to compare options in other destinations like Thailand or Turkey we will answer all questions. This option is free.

 

Turkey? Why you should get Brazilian butt lift in Turkey

Brazilian Butt Lift which over the recent years has become incredibly in demand in Europe and America is one of the most popular treatments performed in Turkey. The procedure attracts the attention of many young people, especially from England. Whether you are getting buttock implants or injecting the fat extracted with liposuction into the buttock area by the BBL Turkey doctors. As a result, the fat from different parts of the body such as abdomen, waist, and back area is transferred into buttocks or hips to achieve an uplift effect.

 

With its high standards, innovative technologies, and experienced doctors, Turkey ranks very high in the cosmetic surgery sector. Due to this, Turkey has become a popular destination for Brazilian butt lift operations. Every day, dozens of people come to our country to have a Brazilian buttock lift in Istanbul. Thanks to experienced doctors, international patients achieve amazing results and return to their country 100% satisfied.

Turkey is one of the safest and most reliable destinations for Brazilian butt lift operations as it offers a winning combination of high-quality services and reasonable prices to people from foreign countries looking to get the procedure abroad. International patients who have to pay up to five times more for the same operation in their home countries gladly take advantage of low prices on Brazilian buttock lift in Istanbul.

 

We offer special service packages to foreign patients who decided to undergo a Brazilian butt lift in Turkey. These include a discount on Turkish Airlines flights with all bookings, four or five-star hotel accommodation, airport and local transfer in VIP cars, English speaking host, etc.

All you need to do is: to send your pictures for assessment (buttock area and area for liposuction) to us and complete the medical forms.
Get your customized treatment plan and package offer and took your ticket with our discount and fly! Inquire now for a free consultation

 

Buttock Implants in Thailand?

After getting your quote and determining your suitability for this procedure, upon arrival in Thailand during your initial visit to your consultation with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery, our surgeon will evaluate the shape of your buttocks as well as the shape you want to achieve. He will then recommend the best  shape of the implants  in Thailand that will enable you to get the result that you want.

There are different options for you to choose from when undergoing butt augmentation in Thailand by silicone implant, for instance, for the shape, we have the round and the oval; for texture, we have cohesive silicone and solid silicone; and for surface, we have the smooth and textured. The size of the implant will also be discussed during this visit.

Upon deciding on the implant you want to use, the incision site will then be discussed. There are 2 possible sites that we offer; one is the vertical incision down the center of the sacrum or a horizontal incision along the folds of your buttocks. Most of our patients choose the incision on the sacrum (tailbone area) for more inconspicuous scarring.

Placement will also be another factor because  implants can be placed either on top, or underneath the muscle. In our surgeon’s experience with this procedure however, we found out that intramuscular (underneath the muscle) placement is still more superior in terms of long term result for Butt Augmentation in Thailand as it is less prone to migration and sagging and it gives a more natural result.  One factor we always have to consider however is the condition of your butt whether you have enough fat and a lot of other factors. Your surgeon will go through the pro’s and con’s of each of your options and recommend whichever will work best for you.

 

There are cases when your surgeon will recommend Vaser liposuction around the area surrounding the buttocks and/or the removal of excess fat and skin for those patients with sagginess on the lower part of the buttocks to compliment the implant that will be used for your butt augmentation in Thailand. Sometimes, our surgeon may also recommend fat injection (Butt Augmentation by Fat Transfer in Thailand ) in cases where an implant may not be enough to achieve the result that you want.

The final decision will always be yours but out surgeon will certainly give you all the information you need regarding the surgery before we confirm your procedure.

Click here to get your free quote and assessment!

 

What happens during a buttock augmentation?

Buttock Augmentation in Thailand will be done under GA or sedation; this will also be discussed during your consultation. The surgery proper will take about 1-2 hours, though it will take longer if liposuction or fat transfer should also be done in one procedure.

You will be placed in prone position (lying on your stomach) the entire time of the surgery. Depending on the choices you’ve made during your consultation, the surgery may vary in technique but the common thing is, before closing, our surgeon will make sure your buttocks look as symmetrical as possible, and the incisions, as inconspicuous as possible.

 

 

How long is the recovery in Thailand?

Generally depending on your surgeons recommendations and the technique, you be required to sleep on your stomach anywhere from a week to 3 weeks.  Ambulation is encouraged as tolerated, and sitting though not prohibited, is discouraged for at least 2 weeks. If sitting cannot be avoided, post-operative patients are encouraged to just sit for a few minutes at a time.

No garments will be necessary with our new technique for butt augmentation in Thailand, therefore, you will not feel restricted after surgery. Normally, the implant will settle in 2-3 months so we make sure that patients understands that during the first few weeks, their buttocks will be swollen and they may not be able to appreciate the result of the surgery.

 

25 Jan
CLIENTS, Cosmetic Holidays, Phuket, Plastic Surgery, Read our past Group Tours to Phuket

MEDICAL TOURISM GROUP TOUR

ex Brisbane to Phuket! ✈️🌍🌏⛑💉🛀🏖☀️☀️☀️👙🍉🍍🥐🍡🍹🍹🍹

Testimonials from Group:

Lani had a breast augmentation

“The entire trip blew all my expectations I had out of the water. I was amazed at the quality of the hospital and it’s staff. Everyone made me feel so comfortable, in fact, I felt like a princess.

The Dr was so warm and friendly, but also professional it took all my hesitation I may have had.

I would recommend it to anyone if they were considering any cosmetic or dental procedures. I would do it again for sure…”

Donna Pope, Upper eyelid lift by Dr Pathom

“I am greatly amazed at the wonderful services provided by all staff. The hospital, doctors, hotel and not to forget the lovely drivers who transferred  us from the hospital back to the hotel.

The beautiful manners and cleanness of the Thai people amazed me.

Claire, you are a truly lovely compassionate lady, I was not once at all nervous or worried because are very calm and a professional at your job.

The upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) was pain free, with only slight bruising and swellness but is healing fast.”

Annie had an extended tummy tuck, liposuction to the hips, abdomen, back and waist, and a breast lift/ reduction and implant with Dr Witoon“This was excellent!”

Claire was outstanding, caring, lovely, truly a beautiful person who put herself out of the way to ensure everyone had a good time and their fears were alleviated before they arose.

The customer service is 1000% outstanding!”

Our Group Tour from Brisbane

The day had finally arrived and dreams were coming true for eight exited ladies all over Queensland and one from Tasmania.  Together, we were embarking on a journey-of-a-lifetime as part of the exclusive packages offered by Nip Tuck Cosmetic Surgery Holidays exclusive Medical Tourism Group Tour Package ex Brisbane.

There was an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation about the journey ahead, knowing this journey was going to change their lives!

Wow, what an awesome bunch of ladies having breast augmentations, breast lifts, breast reductions, liposuction, tummy tucks, eyelid lifts, Botox, Laser teeth whitening and dental procedures teeth cleaning, crowns and veneers.

The strength of the Medical Tourism Group Tours is having the support of other ladies in the same position, as well as me, which proved very valuable to clients in terms support and her for advice on hand for any issue that may arise.

For Carole and Donna, who were part of the tour and both partially deaf, obviously the language barrier at times proved challenging, so this support was invaluable with all communication with the hospital and hotel.

Prior to the departure, all the ladies had received their final documents with very thorough information including the medical component of the details of their procedure of choice, pre-operative advice, risks of surgery.

I was in touch daily with the ladies and available 24-7 to answer any questions or clarify any concerns including reassuring clients, husbands, mother and family members about the impeccably high medical standards of both the hospital and the surgeons in the global network, as well as the genuineness of their care and concern for all their clients.

The eastern philosophy and culture in Thailand ensures that you, as a client, are the primary concern of our surgeon and hospital. You will be made to feel like the most important person in the world, because, as a client of Nip Tuck and Bangkok Hospital, you are!

Our surgeons, hospital and we at Nip Tuck genuinely care about you, your physical and emotional needs and understand and empathize with the full emotions you are gone through, and take very seriously the trust you are placing in us. We will not let you down!!!

Day 1: Friday July 3

I was eagerly awaiting there arrival at the VIP area of Phuket airport with Maam and New, our very special hospital ground-care staff.

After an emotional greeting, our hospital staff loaded everyone’s suitcases into a mini bus, and together we went directly to the hospital for our consultations with the surgeons.

Seeing is believing- and everyone is impressed!

I love this moment, when the trust my clients placed in me was re-confirmed and my clients finally have the opportunity to see the hospital, meet their surgeons and experience the incredibly high standards of the medical and personal care we offer.

For every one of the clients, this surreal feeling combined with an overwhelming sense of relief and reassurance that this was the best decision they had ever made.

For everyone that has experienced a package hosted by Nip Tuck Holidays, all those negative thoughts and comments about the standards of medical care offered by our company were now laughable.

This view is supported by hundreds of testimonials from happy clients and the exceptional standard of results. We arrived at the hospital to the grandness of the hospital, and were warmly greeted by the hospital staff with cold towels, drinks and refreshments.

Consultation began with the surgeons at 11am. This gave our clients the opportunity to meet their surgeon and have a private and confidential chat about their procedures of choice and to have any questions answered and concerns addressed with an overwhelming sense of calmness and confidence.

We spent a long day at the hospital and were all becoming increasing tired.  The medial testing at the hospital is very thorough.

A couple of ladies were having their surgeries the next morning early so had checked into the hospital, so now everyone else was ready to venture down to Patong Beach and check into our hotel.

Everyone quickly dispersed after checking in, some dashing for a Thai massage, others mesmerized by the buzz of the town while Claire accompanied some clients and made a quick dash to the Sea Smiles Dental Clinic around the corner for a dental consultation.

Exhausted and starving and in desperate need of a cocktail by this stage, we had one more job to do before we could relax. So….we went next to get a Thai number and some credit on our phones so we could all be in touch with our families.

We arranged to meet everyone in the hotel lobby at around 6.30- 7pm. So now, everyone had the option of joining us for dinner and a drink, or doing their own thing as we headed to a glorious spot on the beach and ordered a cocktail.

It was an incredible moment as the sun set across the beach and we ordered some dinner. Finally, after a long day, we relaxed. This is the moment were all waiting for, however by this stage we were all so exhausted that the conversation wasn’t as interesting as it possibly could have been……. But already, we all sensed that were had developed a very strong bond of having this experience together and a moment we will look back on with fond memories….

I confirmed with the hospital that all Neshamah and Maggie will be ready for their multiple procedures in the morning including liposuction, tummy tucks breast lift/ augmentation/ revision and reductions and face lifts all to be performed on the ladies the next morning.

I was adamant that the ladies go down to the beach for a massage and some dinner prior to their procedures arranged for them to be back at the hospital ready for surgery bright and early the next morning, while everyone else relaxed in their hotel after dinner.

Day 2: Saturday  3rd July.

Surgeries begin…

An early morning, I accompanied Shelley, with pick-up at the hospital at 6.30am. Shelley from the Gold Coast was scheduled for a lower eyelid lift, neck lift and breast revision surgery with Dr Pongsakorn.

As we arrived at the hospital, Shelley was whisked into her room and into surgery, as I went to be with Neshamah and Maggie prior to their surgery.

For both ladies, the reality hit, making this “very surreal” experience very real. I was there for them, holding their hands and wiping away any tears reassuring them that everything was okay.

It was a great honour and a privilege to have the chance to be there for my clients in their time of need. I understand the emotional and physical process of this incredible journey, and understand it from having the surgery myself. And I think its important to also have the perspective and empathy of witnessing it through the eyes of many other clients as well as the perspective of the hospital and surgeons.

“It is a pleasure for me to support someone else.”

The clients tell me the  support is invaluable  as they were whisked into surgery…. Mostly lol.

With everyone doing well and confirmed schedule and appointments for the next day, it was now time to enjoy Phuket with some ladies.

Together we ventured out for a little shopping and exploring in spectacular  Patong, had a cuddle with a monkey on the street, then stopped for some wonderfully  delicious and cheap Thai food and some cocktails and Thai massages.

Day 3: Sunday 4th July

Donna is having her upper eyelid lift today, Patricia is having a face-lift, Carole is having a breast lift and implant and Lauren is having her some liposuction to her abdominal area along with brand new boobs involving a reduction/ lift and implant.

I am very excited another lady is arriving from the Gold Coast today and joining our tour. So, I accompanying the hospital staff and met Lani at Phuket airport.

 

Very excited to have Lani here!!!  I knew Lani from my gym on the Gold Coast! Together with Maam and New-our wonderful hospital ground-care staff, we went to pick her up at Phuket Airport and straight back to the hospital  for her consult with  Dr Pongsakorn and have her pre-operative tests.

Neshamah – WOW!!!! After an extended tummy tuck, liposuction to the thighs, stomach and hips, as well as breast reduction, lift and augmentation Annie looked amazing and complained a little about a headache.

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!

Her breasts were a little tender she said she was feeling a little uncomfortable and restricted about her position and its awkwardness. That’s it!

Mentally and physically she was fine. I was amazed and so was she both physically and mentally. In fact, she complained about having a headache.

She did not look like she had just come through very major surgery thats for sure. This is a credit to her own strength and the incredible skill of Dr Witoon, coupled with the incredible post-operative care she received in the hospital.

Patricia had her pre-op tests and scheduled for surgery in the afternoon. She was scheduled for surgery at 3pm and could barely contain her excitement and patience as she tried to wait patiently in her room, watch some television and read her book, as her focus drifted….

Within a couple of days Lani was up and about and wanting to explore what Phuket had to offer. She had some friends here we caught up with and we went out to enjoy some Thai food and beer then we went for a Thai massgae, as you do.

Then had some wondered through the shops looking for the ‘secret rooms’ for some gorgeous Louis Vuitton handbags and Channel earrings and Calvin Klein knickers we simply could not resist, then back to the same little spot for more yummy food and beer with some friends from home we saw.

Day 5- Monday 5th July

The next morning I had the opportunity of meeting some clients of mine from Cairns that were there having their surgery. I had only spoken to them on the phone so it was great we had the opportunity to finally meet!

As she was whisked away, I hugged her and reassured her it would be over as soon as she knew it and I will call and check on her tomorrow.

Together with Dr Piyapas, I went to see Maggie post-op and was incredibly moved by Dr Piyapas’s very sincere compassion and empathy in his care of his patients.

He took the time to explain in detail and reassure her, as he held her had, and wiped her tears, and offered support and understanding and humanness rarely demonstrated.

I was there with Maggie as she awaited transportation back to her suite, reassuring her and mostly talking a lot to get to know her and distract her from her physical body to take her mind elsewhere……

Then  Lauren, who was off the morphine after her breast lift, reduction and implant- feeling no pain and looking perfectly well.

No problems at all- she just breezed through it!

Next was Pat, who had a face lift. Again- major complaint as a headache. Probably due to the tight compression bandages from her face lift. She had the physiotherapist with her so I left her to it and would check on her later…..

Then Carole – breast lift and implant. Off the morphine, no pain, bounced back incredible with her bright smile and gorgeous sparkle in her eye……  No pain, no problem at all.

Shelley back to the hotel for her discharge at 1pm back to the hotel. She looked and felt amazing, if a  little tired, so I advised her to rest and take it easy for the rest of the day. I on the other hand, had to make a mad dash to the Sea Smiles Dental Clinic to accompany some clients and also have some procedures for myself including crowns and teeth cleaning.

I grabbed a yummy coconut Gelato on the way home and had another Thai massage and checking on all clients at the hospital and hotel just to see how everyone was doing.

Lani was happy with the size of the implant and Maggie and  Annie who were both doing pretty well. Maggie was sounding exhausted but good.

I called Pat who sounded a hundred percent better, and Lauren who was feeling great. I told all the ladies I would see them tomorrow and get plenty of rest and take advantage of the incredible round-the-clock care they were receiving!

By this stage, everyone had lost track of days completely. It was a blur and I have to say I was completely exhausted!  A combination of the flurry of procedures, doctor’s appointments and keeping track of everyone’s process, this feeling of loss of reality was compounded.

Day 6- Tuesday July

I was up again at 5.30am, and again, the first for my big breakfast of eggs and fruit and coffee after coffeeJ  I arranged myself and Donna to be picked up from the lobby at 11am so the ladies could visit their sisters. Donna surprised me by showing up with a fabulous tattoo on her left shoulder.

As we waited in the lobby, Lauren made a surprise entrance looking amazing!

I was in awe at the brilliance of these surgeons, and continually amazed at the phenomenal recovery process of each and every one of these ladies.

Donna and I went to see Pat, who after a facelift yesterday came out of surgery with a headache due to the tight compression bandages. I spoke to her last night and I was relived to hear her sounding much better. And today different lady today, as the bandages were off, and she sprawled out on the lounge with her feet up looking fabulous!!

Bruising around to her eye area and face was to be expected, but mentally and physically-WOW!!! She was really for discharge and feeling very pleased.  She said there were heaps of people she planned to keep in touch with, but at this moment was feeling like escaping to her own private bubble and listening to her body and just detaching from the world. I completely agreed with her. After her procedures- I advised her is the perfect time to be entirely selfish and let her mind and her body rest, recover and rejuvenate!

Next, Donna and I went to see her sister Carole. So sick of her large breasts, she had a lift and implant to a smaller size which resulted in high, perfect results. She kept peaking at them, just dying to see the results. But Carole’s smile said it all- her face was beautifully lit.

So many success stories!

Next I went upstairs to see Maggie. Her flowers had arrived as a gesture of love and support from her husband Tim, and filled the room with a wonderful smell and warm glow.

Maggie was gradually feeling better- but after her extensive procedures, her recovery was to be expected. The biggest complaint for Maggie was being uncomfortable. In general, I think people don’t appreciate the freedom in their own body until this is taken away……

Her movement was severely restricted, the position uncomfortable, her appetite not completely restored. But she was looking, and sounding, and feeling better by the day.  People’s rate of recovery, the pain and discomfort they experience and the rate of healing is so different for the individual. Like everyone else that had breast work, she was dying to rip of the bandages and see the final result!

With any cosmetic/ medical procedure, there is a high degree of swelling post-operative, and the immediate results are very drastic compared with the final results after the standard 6 weeks post op. But day by day, as your body recovers from the trauma, heals naturally and rests and recovers, in the fullness of time, the results are extraordinary- no exceptions.

I went to see Annie, who was dressed in her very glamorous yet comfortable night gown looking fresh and totally amazing, with a gleam in her eye and the due satisfaction.

Everyone was very pleased with her incredibly quick recovery both mentally and physically.  Her energy was bright, with an aura of peaceful and surrounded by a healthy, orange glow.

All in all, very positive!!!  Together, Pat, Donna, Carole, Lani and I all discharged from the hospital and we taken back to the hotel.

Everyone was very keen to check into their rooms and have the space to do their own things, whether it is just relax, talk amongst themselves in private or explore the streets of Patong.

The shops were a dream, with an abundance of everything you could wish for including handbags, wallets, t-shirt. It was endless…….

 The heavy rain of the morning had stopped, and the humidity and heat was moderate. After we ate, we wondered around he shops and explored the markets, shops, and bought some Ed Harvey t-shirts and soaked in the atmosphere.

Day 6: Wednesday July 8

All procedures completely successfully- all done and checked out, apart from Maggie and Neshamah. Maggie was my primary concern at this stage, as he client who had the most intensive surgery and the one most need of my support and attention.

I spent the morning confirming schedules, appointments at the hospital for follow-ups and flexibility around all client needs.

Breakfast again at 6am and feeling very refreshed and rested after a good night sleep. So after breakfast I will call New and arrange a more suitable time.

Walked past the pool which looked way too tempting, so I grabbed my bikini and headed down for a swim and some sun for an hour .

I spent the day at the hospital with Neshamah and Maggie, catching up on emails and attending to client needs and back at the hotel by 4pm, and as I arrived back at the hotel I saw some of the ladies wandering about so I quickly dropped my things at the hotel and went out for a beer and some food and wondered around shopping…… As you do……

Checked on everyone before I fell asleep that night and fell asleep hoping the weather would be spectacular for tomorrow, as it had rained pretty much every dayJ

Day 7: Thursday July 9

The first day I have had an opportunity for a breather!!!! Because everyone had an individual process to their recovery and it is a good idea to pay it by ear according how you are feeling with any tours after surgery. Today, everyone wanted to take it easy so I went to Phi Phi Island for the first time.

It was a long and exhausting day, but WOW!!!! What a day. Pure magic!

Maggie & Neshamah  were being discharged from hospital today, so all in all, everyone’s procedures and discharges have been completed successfully, starting on follow-ups- I could try to relax today.

We were picked up and crammed into a mini bus then to a meeting point where I grabbed some flippers and snorkeling gear and some bread to feed the fish and a diet coke to try and pick me up.

The boat ride took about an hour and the first stop was Phi Phi Island.  I swum in the gloriously warm and crystal clear beach for about 20 minutes and then together with them quickly explored the island.

Next stop, Monkey Island. The tide was high so we didn’t get to stop, but stopped only inches away from these incredible monkeys in their natural environment where we could hand feed them bananas. I snapped and snapped away, getting myself labeled the “Paparazzi” by the very funny and lovely host of our tour. Oh well, I got some amazing shots!

Next we sailed to another island where I sat outside the front of the boat, snapping away and soaking in the natural beauty of the islands. Next stop, we stopped the boat and had half an hour to snorkel. I grabbed my flippers and put on my mask and jumped into the water.

As people fed the fish, I swum around and with them as they engaged in a feeding frenzy.  It was surreal and magical and truly out of this world. I felt like a mermaid surrounded and a part of this beauty of nature.

I touched the fish as they swum around me, swum wish them and in the other direction, so they swum right to me. There were thousands upon thousands of the most beautiful fish I had ever seen.  It was intensely beautiful, peaceful and magical.

Back on the boat they kept passing around delicious Thai cookies, and with a free flow of coke, 7-up, water and beer, and we were all starting to get very hungry.

Next we went to another Phi Phi Island for lunch for an hour and a half. The food was a buffet with Thai soup, and what seemed like high fat Asian cuisine. Next stop we had another bat ride to another island where we all sort of dozed a little after full bellies and the humidity.

As I awoke and we pulled into shore, my phone rung (on the island!) and I was delighted to hear from Maggie and Neshamah after their discharge from hospital and confirming plans for dinner tonight at 7.30pm.

What a day!

The wonderful host host kept us all very entertained and happy with his upbeat and genuinely lovely disposition, and we watched in awe as her made some beautifully crafted flowers out of straw. He made me one, and I offered him a tip for another one for both my beautiful girls.

Arrived back at around 5pm, where  had a bath, and got ready for dinner at 7.30pm. I was a bit early, so I went for a quick walk down to Bangla Road for a cuddle and photograph with an Iguana.

I arrived at dinner with Maggie & Neshamah and had the most glorious  feast and spectacular drag show I had ever seen. Very, very impressive.

I was in bed by around 10pm I think!!!

Final check-ups , finals and recovery and indulging in decadent Thai food and my favourite Mango, ice-cream and sticky rice desserts. I found DVDs for my kids and a couple of things before falling asleep early as usual.

Up at 5am packing, with check-out and pick-up from hotel foyer at 8am.

Due their multiple procedures, both ladies were required to stay a little bit longer. I had a tear in my eye as I left Annie. She was an absolute pleasure!

I learnt about Pat this morning. As we traveled to the airport she told me about her wonderful adventures doing  volunteer work with Mother Theresa in India.  Wow!! What an amazing woman.

It was wonderful and truly a pleasure to get to know all these amazing ladies individually, and sharing an experience that would have profoundly positive effect on heir lives.

We arrived in Singapore around lunchtime. I was so exhausted I spent the day sleeping, then went down to Chinatown to taste the local food. Shelley and Pat also relaxed and took in the sights of Singapore.

 

22 Jan
Read our past Group Tours to Phuket

The Gold Coast Group with a stop-over ,June 2010✈️🌍🛍🛍

The group of Gold Coast ladies on Queensland’s “medical tourism group tour” all met with me at Brisbane International Airport to board the flight to Phuket for their exciting, life-changing adventure!

The flights were busy, as it seemed a lot of people in Queensland were desperate to escape our winter in the paradise of Phuket. At check-in, we received a lovely surprise that one of the ladies that myself on our group was upgraded to business class! Wow.

   

 What a surprise! The other ladies were happy to have each other to sit together share their expectations, dreams and get to know one the ladies that were sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We arrived in Phuket at 9.35am and went straight to the hospital for our consultations with our surgeons before checking into our hotel in Patong.

 

The ladies freshened up and the ladies relaxed for a while, while I went back to the airport with our amazing hospital staff to greet the second part of my group who arrived at 4.30pm- with a few more lucky ones on the group also being upgraded to business class.  Nice……

The ladies, and one boyfriend who was coming along for the ride, were all really excited about finally arriving in Phuket after months of anticipation. Sue said:

“Going overseas for surgery is daunting in itself, but the quality and care of the surgeons and staff were fantastic that I would not hesitate to recommend the to everyone.”

After they checked into their rooms we all went out together for dinner and drinks and a walk along the streets of Patong before falling into bed exhausted for an early pick-up from the hospital for consultations and surgery.

Day 2: Monday 28th June

We enjoyed a buffet breakfast together this morning, and were picked up by the hospital for our appointments with our surgeons. For some ladies- today was the day and had their consultations and surgeries this morning.

When the ladies were checked into their room, their very last minute anxiety was replaced with excitement and reassurance and trust in the high calibre of surgeons at this impressive international award-winning Bangkok Hospital Phuket. This hospital is internationally recognized as the providing the “Gold Stamp” for medical and health care providers globally. In addition to the high standard of gentle and genuine care they received from our formal international accreditation that officially recognizes the hospital’s high standards in medical and patient care meet or exceed the standards of medical facilities in the US.

 

Lisa said:

“I was very impressed with the hospital and the hospital staff. They were very helpful and my doctor, Dr Jib was excellent! He thoroughly explained the procedure to me and answered all of my questions promptly. I highly recommend him and will be recommending Nip Tuck Holidays to my friends and family.”

 

The first lady on our group surgery was already completed and ready to check out of hospital. Thrilled, and glowing with happiness at her results by which she described as “having the perfect breasts” she had always wanted. She just looked so beautiful, and so happy!

 

It was a lazy, rainy day and the ladies checking out of hospital and the ladies waiting not having surgery today went back to the hotel to relax for the afternoon to relax with alcohol, massages, room service & DVDs while the other ladies did some retail therapy. Tonight the girls and I headed out to watch the Muay Thai!

Day 3: Tuesday 29th June

Another surgery this morning, and everyone was recovering well and soaking up the 24/7 care they were receiving from the nurses and our hospital team.

 

Day 4: Wednesday 30 June

Some of the ladies were blazing the tourist track in Phuket and went to the Zoo while the others recovered well from their surgery and checked out at lunchtime spent the rest of the day relaxing.

Day 5: Thursday 1 July

As the weather drizzled, it was a lazy day of shopping, massages, room service and drinks at the bar…….  Just what the doctor ordered!

The last lady in the group was scheduled for surgery this afternoon, and one more lady checking out after spending the last 2 days recovering in luxury at our hospital, the magnificent Bangkok Hospital, Phuket. Most all of the ladies were booked for Brite Smile teeth whitening and were going to come with gleaming smiles!

 

Day 6 – Day 8  ( 2 July -8th July)

The days all melted into each other in this magical land, and the ladies spent their days relaxing, shopping and soaking up the beauty of the islands, unspoilt caves and villages and islands.

 

Surgeries done……- check

 

Elephant riding .. – check

 

Holidaying in paradise….check

8th July

Half of the group were departing Phuket today, returning home with a suitcase full of treasures, friendships, experiences and brand new assets.

9th July

The rest of us left this morning with some of the ladies suitcases almost bursting and we all boarded the flight filling out the back seat just like the cool kids on the school bus as we laughed, talked and shared stories and adventures. It was so much fun!

At our stop-over in Singapore we did some last-minute duty-free shopping on make-up and perfume and shoes, and boarded our flight home with a new vitality, confidence and memories that will last a life-time!!!!

 

27 Dec
Plastic Surgery

The Murky, Unscrupulous World of Plastic Surgery Tourism

Holidays have always meant a change of pace; now you can have a change of face.

Written by Tabi Jackson Gee

This article originally appeared on Amuse.

Ever considered going on holiday – and getting a little nip, tuck while you’re at it? You are definitely not alone. From boob job breaks in Eastern Europe right through to luxury getaways offering five star treatment in some of the world’s most sought after destinations, medical tourism is increasingly popular. And if you’ve got cash to burn and an appetite for self-inflicted pain, there are worse ways you could go to enhance your aesthetics.

Take one of Bali’s world-renowned medical spas for example. A typical day might involve waking up, riding an elephant, hiking through a forest and having botox injections – all before lunch.

But perhaps you’d rather go to South Korea for facial surgery. The East Asian country now has the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita rate in the world, thanks to the hugely popular “aeygo” aesthetic; that is, a wide-eyed baby face and cute, SnapChat filter-esque features. Surgery there is cheap and efficient and people traveling from overseas make a significant contributor to the country’s GDP.

Meanwhile in Thailand, companies like ours offers the whole package. For tens of thousands of dollars you can check in for as long as you want, enjoy first class hospitality, and get a whole new look while you’re sunning it up in total privacy at one of our partnered resorts on Group Tours in Phuket.

All over the world, from Asia to Africa,, where Capetown increasingly putting itself on the map as a medical tourism destination. You can now book yourself in for a “scalpel safari.” Travel itinerary: week one, face lift. Week two, see the big five. Or maybe you’d want to do that the other way round, so as not to frighten off the wildlife.

Of course if it is a better bum you’re after, you must go to Brazil or Mexico! 2012 the government made plastic surgery tax-deductable and experienced surgeons are both accessible and affordable. If it’s something further north you want to work on – your nose, perhaps – Iran is your best bet, where rhinoplasty is the specialty.

A tragic spate of international headlines have brought this booming industry to light – deaths in Turkey and Rio de Janeiro have both made the news in the last few weeks. Both of these involved bum improvements.

Around the world women—and it is almost exclusively women—are putting their lives at risk in the hands of doctors to “improve” their bodies. Or in many cases, to come closer to an increasingly homogenized idea of what a woman should look like. Let’s not all blame Kim Kardashian at once. Or should we? As Jameela Jamil recently pointed out; they’re starting to look a lot like double agents of the patriarchy.

This is no exaggeration – as a quick look at the maths reveals. According to research from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2016 alone women accounted for 86.2 percent – or 20,362,655 – cosmetic procedures worldwide.

The five most popular procedures are Breast Augmentation (Silicone Implants), Liposuction, Eyelid Surgery, Abdominoplasty and Breast Lifts. In the same year men accounted for just 13.8 percent of cosmetic patients with 3,264,254 procedures performed worldwide.

Labiaplasty or designer vaginas , showed the largest increase in number of procedures from 2015, with a 45 percent rise. And guess what the least popular cosmetic surgery was in that very same year? Penile enlargement. The number of procedures also dropped by 28 percent.

“There are very few healthy messages out there” says Dr. Gerard Lambe, a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon based in Manchester. “Designer vaginas are on the rise and I’ve seen that and I do that. It’s definitely a trend, and there are quite a few young woman who are wanting them.”

Going abroad for health reasons – or to engage in surgical or non-surgical personal improvement – is nothing new. In Switzerland’s clinics, which promise to reset your gut and your life after a grueling week of existing on little but soda bread, water and colonic irrigation (let’s face it, you’re not really interested in gut health, you just want to lose weight and get better skin).

But the huge and very important difference between dodgy clinics and top notch international hospitals with US Board Accredited Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons that are JCI accredited.

However, if you’ve just splashed out a fortune to travel halfway across the world, you’re probably not going to do that. So what if you’re confronted with some dodgy facilities and get cold feet? You’ve gone too far to back out now.

“It’s horrendous, if you go to Korea, you don’t understand the language, not everyone is going to speak first class English to you,” says Lambe, who during his 20 year career has become increasingly concerned with the global medical tourism industry’s lack of regulation. “That makes you feel isolated, that makes you feel vulnerable. If you go all the way to South Korea, you’re going to do it. They’re not going to talk you out of it, even if you are a bad prospect.”

Frame is another industry heavyweight who’s noticed the rise of social media and its influence on young women and medical tourism. However, he’s not sure it deserves the negative press it gets.

“Rhinoplasty in young women has exploded in my practice and this shows the power of the media.” he explains. “I operated on a TOWIE lady and she went on National TV only a few weeks later clearly showing huge emotional benefit from the surgery which related to many listeners.”

Anyone wielding influence over young women has a level or responsibility, and there is a lot that goes on in the murky world of Insta-marketing which is far from responsible. “I’ve seen girls on Instagram and they are almost certainly body dysmorphic, they’re having procedure after procedure, their body shape is well outside what I’d call normal” says Dr Lambe. “They’re going for further tweaks – but never mentioning the risks that they’re taking. It’s completely the wrong way to promote it, and it is preying on people who are vulnerable.”

It’s not all doom and gloom. Occasionally, there are also some good stories which emerge from this hugely amoral world. Take Ivo Pitanguy, who died in 2016. The godfather of plastic surgery in Brazil was renowned for his celebrity patients – and for turning his home country into a global leader in plastic surgery. The list of clientele who are rumored to have visited his private island Angra dos Reis for his magic touch include Jackie O, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. But as well as treating the 0.01 percent, he also operated on thousands of women – who had major burns and deformities – for free.

Turns out something good can come out of our obsession with looking perfect.