ArticleAesthetic plastic surgery2026
Aesthetic Surgery Tourism: The Real Cost of Discount Plastic Surgery.
Article in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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2 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAesthetic surgery tourism has become a popular option for patients due to discounted procedures. This single-center retrospective study recorded outcomes in patients presenting with complications after traveling for aesthetic surgery.
methodsAesthetic surgery tourism patient demographics and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed between January 2021 and December 2024 at Henry Ford Health (HFH). Data were compiled including surgery type, complications, number of emergency room (ER) visits, interventions, admission length of stay (LOS), hospital and physician charges.
resultsFrom 2021 to 2024, 44 patients were seen by the plastic surgery team at HFH for complications following aesthetic surgery tourism. Of all patients, 54.5% had abdominoplasty, 40.9% liposuction, 25% Brazilian butt lift (BBL), 15.9% breast, 2.3% jaw surgery, and 2.3% buttock implant. Complications were infection (52.3%), pulmonary embolism (6.8%), seroma/fluid collection (52.3%), abscess (18.2%), wound dehiscence (20.5%), and foreign body/retained suture/retained drain (6.8%). Average number of ER visits was 1.75. Average admission LOS was 5 days. Patients requiring operating room or bedside intervention were 25% and 61.4%, respectively. Total hospital charges were $1,424,869.38; average per patient was $34,752.91. Total physician charges were $193,773.25; average per patient was $4726.18.
conclusionAesthetic surgery tourism is more affordable for patients short term, but the potential complications can jeopardize patient safety and place an increasing financial burden on our healthcare system. It is crucial to educate patients on the risks of traveling for aesthetic surgery. Potential interventions include education at pre-operative clearance appointments, providing options to consult a US board-certified plastic surgeon before traveling, and increasing domestic regulations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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