Summary

• Travelling abroad for surgery, known as medical tourism, is becoming increasingly popular, with over 250,000 British patients undergoing medical treatment abroad each year
• Although lower Blepharoplasty prices and claims made in sleek marketing are appealing, the increased risk of complications and the danger to health and wellbeing do not justify the trade-off
• Shortfalls in regulation and effective aftercare can be difficult to pick up ahead of your Blepharoplasty and
• Cadogan Clinic’s team of UK-leading Consultant Blepharoplasty Surgeons are experts in their field and deliver the highest standards of patient care and outcomes

What is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism is the practice of travelling to another country to undergo medical care, treatment or surgical procedures.

Cadogan Clinic is an award-winning surgical centre of excellence, based in Chelsea, London. Our medical team is led by the best Consultant Plastic Surgeons in the UK, and all procedures are overseen by a leadership team rated Excellent by the Care Quality Commission. 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the clinic to their family and friends.

Medical tourism has increased in popularity dramatically in recent years. The Office for National Statistics has reported that in 2024 approximately 523,000 British residents travelled to another country to seek medical treatment. It has been estimated that by 2034, the medical tourism industry globally will be worth up to $142 billion.

Travelling abroad for surgery can prove high risk, and although some destinations can generally provide excellent healthcare services, inconsistent regulation and safety standards can lead to poor care and disappointing outcomes.

When considering any surgical procedure abroad, it is important to understand the potential risks and how they may impact your surgery.

Although medical tourism is popular, it is essential to understand the risks which may be attached, and why undergoing surgery in the UK may be safer and achieve better results.

Why Do People Have Blepharoplasty Abroad?

Many people choose to undergo Blepharoplasty to address loose upper eyelid skin and under-eye bags, addressing aesthetic concerns and improving field of vision to also address functional concerns.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular surgical procedures in the world. 

• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) reported that in 2024, Blepharoplasty was the most popular surgical procedure performed globally, with a 13.4% increase in procedures compared with 2023
• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) have reported that between 2024 and 2025 there was an 8% increase in the number of Blepharoplasty procedures carried out in the UK
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have reported a 19% increase in Blepharoplasty procedures carried out in the USA, also making it the most popular facial procedure

There are several factors which influence individuals to choose to undergo Blepharoplasty surgery in another country:

• Price: Blepharoplasty cost abroad is often significantly lower than in the UK, with many providers offering attractive packages which include or subsidise travel and accommodation
• Reduced waiting times: Some patients find that they can access Blepharoplasty sooner by travelling abroad, rather than waiting for a surgeon in the UK
• Combining travel and treatment: Combining surgery and recovery with a holiday, or the opportunity to travel, is a draw for many people

Although it is understandable that these factors are highly appealing to many people, it is important to bear in mind the risks of having Blepharoplasty abroad, which often don’t make the choice worthwhile.

Price, availability and opportunities to travel are the primary reasons people choose to undergo Blepharoplasty in another country; however, these should be balanced with the potential risks.

What are the Risks of Having Blepharoplasty Abroad?

There has been a recent increase in media coverage about the complications many patients have experienced when travelling abroad for Blepharoplasty, especially in the Netherlands.

Impressive marketing and social media coverage can easily hide unregulated or underqualified medical professionals, or unscrupulous clinics who are prioritising profits over patient safety and high-quality results.

Risks of medical tourism for Blepharoplasty abroad may include:

Poor Outcomes

A survey of members of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society reported that the most common concern affecting patients who have undergone Blepharoplasty abroad is not being able to close their eyes properly due to too much tissue being removed.

However, patients have also reported issues with infection, poor wound healing, visible scarring and vision impairment after choosing to have a Blepharoplasty outside of the UK.

Quality and Safety Concerns

Regulation and standards of medical care are not consistent globally. It can be difficult to verify a clinic or surgeon’s accreditations or qualifications, without a full understanding of that country’s standards.

Postoperative Care

Effective recovery and aftercare support are a vital part of the overall surgical process. Surgical providers abroad may not offer wraparound recovery assistance, or contacting them once you have returned home may be difficult.

Additionally, most British patients who experience complications following surgery abroad require at least some treatment through the NHS. Research published in the British Medical Journal has shown that complications arising from medical tourism can cost the NHS up to £20,000 per patient, placing unnecessary pressure on public services.

Communication Barriers

Language differences and geographical distance can create challenges for patients to communicate smoothly with healthcare providers. Good communication is crucial in protecting patient safety, ensuring that everyone’s understanding of the treatment plan is aligned and clear.

Travel Risks

Flying, especially long distances, following surgery can increase the risk of developing blood clots or DVT. These conditions can cause serious medical problems or even be life-threatening, and navigating the care system in another country to access the correct care, particularly where time pressure is involved, may be difficult.

Legal Resources

If complications do arise, or you are a victim of medical malpractice, it is much harder to seek legal recourse from another country. 

Unfortunately, one of the factors which allows dangerous providers to keep practising and bringing in new patients is that previous patients have been unable to raise challenges which would ensure appropriate consequences are delivered.

Poor outcomes, safety concerns, communication challenges, a lack of aftercare, travel risks and limited legal resources are all reasons that travelling abroad for Blepharoplasty is high risk.

Why Do Providers Encourage People to Travel Abroad for Blepharoplasty?

There are several reasons why surgical providers encourage people to travel abroad for surgery.

The first is that they can see an obvious business benefit, with patients looking for lower eye surgery cost options. One Blepharoplasty provider has reported via the BBC carrying out 2,950 procedures on patients from the UK across the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland since October 2024.

However, this doesn’t mean that they are prioritising their patients’ best interests and may be offering a sub-standard service, with a lack of regulation. On the other hand, weak currency conversion and lower costs of living can also allow providers to offer lower-cost Blepharoplasty thanks to reduced overheads compared to the UK.

In some countries, governments have introduced policies to encourage people to visit to undergo surgery or medical treatment. In the case of Blepharoplasty in Turkey, one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism, this has included offering bonus payments to clinics for performing procedures for patients from abroad. Unfortunately, this system is easily abused, with clinics taking on more patients than they have safe capacity for to maximise their income.

Although every country has reputable healthcare providers, the challenges arise through navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system, especially when dishonest providers are catching patients out with sleek marketing and appealing claims.

As well as for individual business reasons, some providers are encouraged by their governments to bring patients in for surgery, including Blepharoplasty, to increase tourism and boost the economy.

Reasons to Rethink Having a Blepharoplasty Abroad

Having Blepharoplasty abroad may seem very appealing thanks to the reduced prices and (in some cases) government policies encouraging medical tourism. However, it is important to understand why these claims may not be exactly what they first appear.

Blepharoplasty Abroad Checklist

If you are considering having a Blepharoplasty procedure abroad, please go through our checklist to make sure you have considered everything and are keeping yourself safe:

• Am I more likely to experience complications if I travel abroad for Blepharoplasty?
• Are there any specific risks in travelling abroad for Blepharoplasty?
• How do I know if my surgeon is fully qualified and properly trained?
• How do I know if the clinic where my Blepharoplasty will take place is safe and hygienic?
• Why is my Blepharoplasty surgery so much cheaper than it would be in the UK?

When preparing for Blepharoplasty anywhere, it is important that you fully trust your surgeon and the clinic where it is taking place. If you have any concerns or doubts that you aren’t able to get clarification for, it is important to rethink your Blepharoplasty and consider another provider.

It is essential that you fully consider and understand every aspect of any procedure you are thinking about undergoing before making the final commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions