Plastic Surgery Without Borders: What to Consider

When making a decision to get plastic surgery, it shouldn’t be a decision taken lightly. We’ve discussed before the dangers of getting plastic surgery operations done in foreign countries but we wanted to discuss the issue a little more in-depth so you can make the most informed decision when it comes to your body.

While it can sometimes be dangerous to get surgery done in other countries, if you decide it’s the best option for you, we urge you to research the background and training of the surgeon and their facility.

Before committing to anything, as we suggest above, research your surgeon. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery provides some really great safety guidelines. Some things mentioned that you should consider when getting plastic surgery abroad are:

• Do you fully understand the procedure and possible complications?
• What is your surgeon’s training?
• Verify that your surgeon is trained and experienced. Make sure they specialize in the procedure.
• Is the surgeon a member of recognized national and international plastic surgery societies?
• Does the surgeon and his staff speak your language fluently? If there is a language barrier, that can lead to major miscommunication and possible complications.
• Check the surgeon’s references and ask as many questions as you need to.

“The World Health Organization developed a 19-question surgical safety checklist that, when implemented, can reduce surgical complications and surgical deaths. This simple checklist, much like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist, can be used in a variety of surgical settings without additional costs”(ISPAS.org).

The most popular countries in 2015 outside of the US to get plastic surgery include: Canada, the U.K, Israel, Singapore, and Costa Rica. 

Even when following the safety check-list and following the guidelines above, there are several other important factors to keep in mind.

In the US, you can potentially sue your doctor for malpractice if something goes wrong with your surgery, but this may not be the same in every country. Also, the privacy laws we have established here in the US may also vary from country to country. There are no US laws that protect US patients who go to unlicensed doctors in foreign countries.

One of the main reasons people choose to travel for plastic surgery is the cost. It can be cheaper in other countries, but it is important to remember that sometimes you get what you pay for. Not all procedures are done the same, not all surgeons are the same. That’s not to say there aren’t satisfied patients, we just urge to you to really consider why you’re traveling for the procedure.

Plastic surgery shouldn’t have borders, but we do encourage you to thoroughly weigh your options before traveling abroad for procedures you can have performed here in the US.

If you’re thinking of having plastic surgery and have questions you can schedule a free consultation with our own Dr. McFate here in Austin, TX. We offer many great resources for those patients traveling from outside of the Austin area.

Bikini Season: Lift, Enhancement or Implant Exchange?

Bikini season is approaching quickly! Temperatures are getting warmer and the beaches are awaiting the arrival of beach-goers. Be the talk of the beach with a breast enhancement from Precision Plastic Surgery! Whether you’re interested in an increased size, an implant exchange, or a breast lift, Dr. McFate can have you ready for summer’s bikini season!

Breast Enhancements

One of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States today is breast augmentation. Precision has an on-site surgery suite that is accredited through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facility (AAAASF) and we can perform the surgery right here in our Austin, TX office!

Dr. McFate can increase the size of your breasts, restore fullness, and correct asymmetries. Our plastic surgeon can determine the best size and shape for your body type during one of our free consultations. He will discuss all of your options to help create a better idea of what will work best and what fits your expectations for breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Exchange

Patients should realize that breast implants are not a permanent solution. Many women can plan on maintaining their implants for over 30 years, but this is not always the case. Aging, breast shape and volume changes, or a newly desired body image are additional reasons that a person may elect to remove or exchange their implants.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is an excellent procedure to correct breast ptosis (sagging of the breast and nipple). Breast ptosis can result from aging, weight loss, and pregnancy. Dr. McFate is fully trained in the latest techniques of breast contouring to produce optimal results for his Austin area breast lift patients.

Dr. John McFate and the staff at Precision Plastic Surgery in Austin welcome any questions you may have about breast augmentation. Our plastic surgeon will help you determine which procedure is best for you and your body. You can contact us at our Precision Plastic Surgery office at (512) 270-8047, or you may request a free consultation with Dr. McFate online.

Be proud to show off your awesome beach body!

Utilizing officially certified operating facilities

With most plastic surgery procedures, you won’t spend time in the hospital. In fact, your surgery will likely be performed on an outpatient basis in an outpatient or ambulatory surgery facility. The surgery center or surgery suite may be part of your surgeon's office or in a separate location. Some very minor procedures, requiring only local anesthesia, are performed in a medical office setting. There are also cases where surgery takes place in a hospital OR (operating room), for instance: if you’re having multiple procedures, if your surgery is reconstructive in nature and is covered by insurance or if your surgeon feels that your health condition requires it.

Is Your Surgery Center is Safe? Here's What to Look For

 

Today’s modern surgery centers are generally well equipped to handle most cosmetic surgeries, including any type of anesthesia required. Outpatient surgery facilities also help patients save money by avoiding the hospital -- but you can’t assume all centers are safe. You must look for hallmarks of quality, just like you do when choosing your plastic surgeon. In that case, you look for medical Board Certification, state licensure, surgical privileges at a well-known local hospital and more. (Think of surgical hospital privileges as extra vetting of your surgeon's qualifications, even if surgery will not take place in the hospital. Good hospitals only grant privileges to surgeons who meet their performance standards.) 

The only way to know for certain if your surgeons’ preferred outpatient surgery center, ambulatory surgical center or office-based surgery suite is well-equipped and adheres to the highest safety standards is to look for accreditation. You can ask your surgeon if their chosen surgery facility is accredited and by which organization or go to the center's website. You should also verify the accreditation information with your state.

What Does Surgery Center Accreditation Really Mean?

 

Accreditation requirements vary by state and only certain accrediting organizations are accepted. Surgical center certification organizations all have slightly different standards. Normally, accreditation indicates that the outpatient surgical center has an excellent safety record. Most accreditors for surgery facilities require inspection and recertification annually--and require that any adverse incidents occurring in a surgery center be reported, so that they can accurately assess quality. To learn the exact accreditation requirements, check the accrediting organization's website for a list or contact the accrediting organization directly.