More and more Americans are nipping and tucking, sucking and suturing, injecting and implanting, all in the quest for better looks. In the past, foreign countries have lagged behind the West in catching the plastic surgery wave. Today, cosmetic surgery is a booming business in countries like Mexico, Latin America and Europe. Each year, thousands of prospective patients bargain hunt for plastic surgeons in foreign destinations - price being the main attraction. But what risks are patients really taking to save a little extra cash when going under the knife? A bargain at the outset could result in more money spent on revision surgery or fatally worse, death or disfigurement at the hands of an incompetent surgeon or in a compromised surgical setting. Despite the warnings, people continue to sign up for bargain plastic surgery vacations.

Board certified Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer is aware of the dangers of foreign cosmetic surgery versus the safer and regulated surgical environment commonly found in the United States.

ìPatients may take unnecessary risks, when choosing to go outside of the U.S. for cosmetic surgery, by unknowingly selecting unqualified physicians and having procedures performed in non-accredited surgical facilities. It's unfortunate that there are some surgeons who are in this profession for the business and not for the patient's well-being. I have seen and re-operated on almost all cases of botched up plastic surgeries," said Dr. Salzhauer. He continued, "From implants that look as if they were crudely fashioned to those that have become infected or dislocated and have to be removed, to botched facelift, eyelid and nasal surgery, and even liposuction with results ranging from poor to non-existent including incisions placed in bizarre places. Patients put their trust in our hands and it's our responsibility to always provide the best and safest care possible."

Surgical Standards

What separates the standards in the United States from those of the other countries? According to Salzhauer, "in the U.S., there is a plastic surgery standard that is higher than anywhere else in the world. This includes a high level of sterility, the quality of the technological or surgical equipment, and most important of all, a surgeon's training. Foreign countries often have neither the money nor the resources to have a generalized standard of care. Contrast this with the U.S. where we have no shortage of patient advocates and medical and state boards which ensure doctors are adhering to specific guidelines."

Does this mean that plastic surgery in foreign countries is uniformly dangerous?

ìCertainly not," says Dr. Salzhauer. "In most countries, one can find qualified plastic surgeon and expect successful results. However, these are not usually the places that offer bargains."

What accounts for the discrepancy in foreign versus domestic cosmetic surgery?

ìHospitals in America go to great lengths to make sure the doctors who are granted affiliation or surgical privileges are trained and board certified in the sub-specialty in which they are practicing. In addition, doctors in large American cities must remain incredibly competitive as far as their knowledge and skill. It would therefore be much less likely for a patient in the U.S. to have problematic results. Post operative care is also a crucial element of plastic surgery. This is another major red flag associated with foreign plastic surgeries.

Even if a patient has excellent results at the time of their surgery, if certain are not properly identified, they can lead to an unsatisfactory final result." Dr. Salzhauer stresses, "The most important aspect of surgery is not only the surgery itself, but the frequency and thoroughness of follow up visits and post-operative care." He adds that "patients need to be advised when they can resume activities such as work and exercise, therefore, it is essential that a patient's doctor is accessible, which is a challenge for surgeons in other countries.

As Dr. Salzhauer explains "an additional danger patients run into when having surgery performed in a foreign facility is that often, facilities abroad designed for elective surgery are run more like clinics rather than actual hospitals. Usually the surgery is performed in conjunction with another doctor who may or may not be certified in the same specialty. There may not even be qualification boards in that country." As Dr. Salzhauer points out, "when a patient sees a doctor in private practice, as here in America, that surgeon ó plastic or otherwise ó obviously has a more principle responsibility for the well being of the patient. In a clinic, there is often no single doctor who is responsible to handle problems that arise."

What recourse does a patient have as a result of botched surgeries in a foreign country?

ìLittle if any," reports Dr. Salzhauer. "There may be no venue for legal recourse for a patient encountering a problem as a result of sub-standard care in a foreign country. Geographic distance would render legal action both costly and inconvenient. The patient originally seeking a bargain will wind up spending even more money, not to mention the time and effort involved."

About Bal Harbour Plastic Surgery Associates

Bal Harbour Surgery is located in Miami, Florida and is run by board-certified plastic surgeon Michael Salzhauer, MD who has built a truly unique practice. Taking a cue from the surrounding neighborhood, Bal Harbour Surgery models itself after a five-star resort. Patients are pampered from start to finish, receiving treatment from skilled professionals working in state-of-the-art medical facilities. Bal Harbour Surgery also welcomes patients from around the world. With the best hotels, fabulous weather, and relaxing sandy beaches, there's no better place for private recuperation.

About Dr. Michael Salzhauer

Miami board-certified plastic surgeon Michael Salzhauer, MD, has extensive experience with procedures such as liposuction, breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reduction, brow lift, face lift, nose improvement surgery, ear reshaping, laser eyelid rejuvenation surgery, neck lift, plastic surgery for men, abdominoplasty, lip enhancement, BOTOXÆ injections, and other wrinkle treatments. He maintains a high level of surgical activity to enhance his expertise, averaging 400 operative procedures per year since 2000.

Dr. Michael Salzhauer was educated at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and he was trained in the latest plastic surgery techniques while serving on the staff of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach; the University of Miami Medical Center; and the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Foundation.