Why do people travel abroad for liposuction?

Medical tourism, including for elective cosmetic surgery, is a growing trend. Many people who opt to go overseas for liposuction are tempted by cheap prices. However, undergoing a cheap cosmetic procedure at the hands of an under-qualified surgeon or in a substandard facility can result in huge physical and financial complications once a patient has arrived back in the UK.

Is it safe to have liposuction in Turkey?

If carried out by a skilled and qualified surgeon, then liposuction is a safe procedure. However, there have been several recent high profile cases where British patients have died or suffered complications after undergoing liposuction in Turkey. 

Last August, a 38-year-old woman died after buying an overseas package deal for treatment. Social worker and mother-of-three Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose began to experience severe abdominal pain following surgery. She later died from peritonitis and multi-organ failure following a complication from liposuction. Her husband is now suing the firm and the surgeon for £1m, claiming medical negligence.

Another woman who went to Turkey for a ‘mummy makeover’, which included liposuction, described how she discovered on arrival that the clinic itself was in poor condition and she was in pain following surgery. She was taken seriously ill with sepsis three weeks after returning home, a complication from the surgery.

A recent Channel 4 probe found many cut-price surgery firms in Turkey act as “agencies” for inexperienced or unqualified surgeons. Never use an agent firm or pay for liposuction as part of a package deal which includes flights and accommodation.

What does liposuction cost in Turkey?

Liposuction in Istanbul starts from as low as £1,121. In Izmir, prices start from as little as £756 (2021 prices). However, these prices usually reflect on the experience of the surgeon and reputation of the clinic.

Why are liposuction prices so cheap abroad?

By travelling abroad, people can save 40 to 80 percent on plastic surgery, depending on the procedure and the country. There are a number of reasons why these prices are so cheap and vary from country to country. Lower cost of labour, favourable exchange rates, lower taxes, less red tape, cheaper medical supplies and medications can all impact on the final price.

Brazil, Japan, Italy, and Mexico are among the top international destinations of choice for cosmetic surgery, with Russia, India, Turkey, Germany, and France rounding out the top ten, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

Why do we not recommend travelling abroad for liposuction?

The Cadogan Clinic would never recommend travelling abroad for liposuction. The risk of complications or a substandard result are just too high.

Our expert surgeons are often asked by the media to comment on botched cosmetic surgery procedures carried out overseas. 

Cadogan Clinic founder Bryan Mayou, who brought liposuction to the UK 30 years ago, firmly states that going abroad for surgery is “a false economy and so dangerous”.

He added: “When you go abroad, you’re throwing expertise out of the window, I wouldn’t have a clue how to differentiate between one doctor and another online. Then you’re expected to pay upfront. You’ve committed to surgery before even seeing the inside of the clinic.”

At Cadogan Clinic we have some of the best surgeons in the UK and are committed to the well-being and after-care of our patients.

For more information about our cosmetic surgery procedures, including liposuction, please get in touch.