New BAAPS Study Reveals High Regret Rates
A 2024 study presented at the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) highlights a concerning trend: over 50% of patients who traveled abroad for cosmetic surgery regret their decision. The study, which analyzed data from 103 patients treated for complications in a UK tertiary plastic surgery unit between 2012 and 2022, won the prestigious Hackett Memorial Prize.
The study reveals the following:
Cost as a Driving Factor
83% of patients cited affordability as the main reason for seeking procedures abroad.
Regret and Complications
60% of respondents would not make the same decision again, with nearly half expressing outright regret.
Common procedures included Abdominoplasty (28.1%), Breast augmentation (17%) and Liposuction (13.1%)
Frequent complications included wound healing issues (33%)seromas (29.1%) and infections.
While lower costs may seem appealing, the study underscores the potential dangers of prioritizing price over quality and safety.
A Call to Educate
Nora Nugent, BAAPS President, stressed: ”This research offers crucial insights that must inform future public health campaigns. Patients need to understand that cosmetic tourism often comes with hidden costs—financial, physical, and emotional.”
AAMSSA’s Perspective
This study is a reminder for patients to: Prioritize experienced, accredited professionals. Research the risks of procedures thoroughly. Consider the long-term health and financial impacts of correcting complications.
Cheap surgery abroad might save money upfront, but the hidden dangers can cost you your health and peace of mind.
Always choose quality and safety over affordability.
Acknowledgement to Michelle Duffield and Aesthetic Medicine magazine for this article