When Undergoing a Procedure Abroad or Afar Does Not Go as Planned
Revision Surgery & Support for Post-Tourism Complications
Increasingly, people are opting to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery, often drawn by the promise of lower costs. While it may seem like a great way to save money, many are unaware of the hidden risks associated with undergoing medical procedures in another country or far from home.
Effective Revision Surgery
When performed incorrectly, numerous complications can occur post-operatively. This includes infections, problems with implants, scarring, and irregularities with skin and tissue.
Effective and safe revision surgery is performed at GLOW Surgical Arts in the Bay Area for patients who experience poor results after undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad or afar. Our team always has a clear action plan and quickly solves problems while restoring the desired aesthetics.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, where we will assess your condition, determine your objectives, and recommend the best approach for supportive and safe revision surgery in the Bay Area.
Understanding the Risks of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
The reasons to travel abroad for cosmetic procedures are relatively straightforward: surgery vacation packages, lower prices, and shorter waiting periods. However, the downsides include safety, accountability, and long-term results, which may suffer tremendously.
In many instances, patients who choose cosmetic procedures abroad get treated in facilities that lack sufficient professionalism and insight. Surgeries are done quickly, while patients are given insufficient post-op instructions. The lack of follow-up care can transform relatively small issues into serious health concerns.
GLOW treats complications that frequently stem from:
- Infections
- Suboptimal placement of implants resulting in asymmetry, displacement, and rippling.
- Wound closure with exaggerated scarring.
- No post-op care is provided after patients return to the US.
Common Complications We Treat
At GLOW, we regularly encounter patients who’ve had surgeries abroad or afar and now have physical discomfort, aesthetic dissatisfaction, or a combination of both. We aim to restore the balance and provide proper healing and function.
Breast Augmentation Problems
Cosmetic breast enlargement, also known as breast augmentation, is one of the most popular procedures for medical tourism and also one of the most revised ones.
These come with some common complications like:
- Capsular contracture or scar tissue distorts the shape of the implant due to tight scar tissue forming around the implant.
- Deflation or rupture of the implant, specifically saline implants.
- Asymmetry or shift of the implant due to misplacement or poor pocket creation.
- Strange appearance or position of implants necessitating change.
Sometimes, patients might need complete removal of the implants and restoration to natural breast tissue.
Abdominoplasty Complications
Procedures like a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty might lead to scarring or other visible imperfections along the midsection.
Patients usually experience:
- Contour deformities like lumps and bulges. This happens when there is an over-resection of the tissue.
- Poorly or untreated excess skin.
- Untreated chronic fluid buildup or seroma.
- Reopening of the wound or necrosis of the skin leading to infection from rushed closures.
These can be corrected by addressing the abdominal wall and repositioning skin flaps to achieve a desirable and smooth look through precise surgical modification.
Facial Procedure Concerns
When it comes to facial cosmetic procedures, the stakes are especially high. Even minor complications can have a significant impact on appearance, confidence, and overall well-being.
When performed abroad or afar, we usually observe the following:
- Scarring in highly visible regions, including the periphery of the eyes, ears, and the hairline.
- Excessive tightening from facelifts.
- Variation in the degree of droop or asymmetry post-eyelid surgery.
- Lack of proper skin management can result in excessive slack skin, leading to sagging.
Each improvement plan is centered on restoring symmetrical balance, reducing tension, and enhancing the face to make it more natural and aesthetically pleasing.
How GLOW Helps Patients Recover and Rebuild
At GLOW, the personalized revision process begins with a thorough initial consultation. During this meeting, we collect all relevant information about your medical history, including the surgical steps involved, timing, and post-operative experiences.
The process involves:
- A thorough review of your surgical and medical history, along with a healing timeline.
- Discussion and physical evaluation of the area that you want to work on.
- Assessment of your desired outcomes and intentions.
- Assessment of the previous cosmetic procedure done abroad.
When we cover all of the above, our surgeon will suggest:
- Removal or replacement of implants based on their type, condition, and position.
- Breast lift to avoid sagginess or stretched skin after removing the implants.
- Surgical scar or tissue revision after abdominal or facial surgery.
Each case is unique, but our goal is to provide a personalized and tailored treatment that best suits your anatomy, expectations, and recovery period.
Why It’s Better to Stay Local
One of the most significant benefits GLOW offers its patients is its convenient location. For other cosmetic procedures, you may need to travel long distances, which can complicate follow-up visits if problems arise. With GLOW, you’re always taken care of no matter what.
For patients undergoing procedures with us, recovery is closely monitored during the first few weeks. Patients receive:
- Surgical follow-up appointments in the clinic, rather than virtual appointments.
- Direct access to the surgeon, rather than a faceless call center.
- Rapid response if a symptom changes to alter your care plan.
In contrast, patients who undergo revision surgery and go back to other cities or countries are blind to a whole new set of complications that are easily avoidable. A case in point is traveling after surgery, which can increase the chances of blood clots and infections.
The True Cost of Surgery Abroad
While cosmetic surgery tourism seems cheap and appealing, the hidden complications add a lot of expenses later on. If issues do happen, they become unbearable, along with the added burden of cost, dealing with a lack of insurance, and follow-up care.
Possible long-term expenditures include:
- Emergency hospitalization due to complications such as infections, wounds, or blood clots.
- Money loss due to the need for prolonged absences from your work.
- Additional revision surgeries to fix cosmetic or structural issues.
- Psychological burden, which may result in anxiety, worry, and negative body image.
- Travel costs if you’re going to a different city or country or far from home.
Many real-life stories have shown without fail that the consequences of cosmetic surgery tourism are associated with a greater risk of postoperative infection, slow healing, and lower satisfaction when compared to local surgeries that are performed in a monitored environment.
In other words, the money you intend to save is, in fact, the least of your worries compared to the more significant financial, physical, and emotional burden that results from complications.
Begin Your Recovery with GLOW
If you’ve recently undergone a cosmetic procedure abroad that you’re not satisfied with, or you’re dealing with pain, infection, or distortions, then GLOW Surgical Arts is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence!
You’ll have an initial consultation with our surgeon, who will personally devise and execute your revision surgery. We ensure that you will have a continual, personalized, straightforward, and candid approach to your care throughout the journey, from your initial consultation to your final follow-up appointment.
We don’t only treat the problem; we empower you by restoring your peace of mind. Schedule your consultation online today or call us at (650) 663-2766 and begin your new life with a dedicated team of proven professionals!