Aussies warned about dangers of cosmetic tourism

Studio shot of an anxious young woman with gloved hands poking at her face against a blue background

Australians have been warned about the dangers of travelling overseas for cheap cosmetic surgery with a leading plastic sergeant saying she is seeing an increase in botched operations.

Dr Amira Sanki, a top plastic sergeant in Sydney, told Yahoo News that travelling for plastic surgery is a risk.

“We have definitely seen in our hospital, which is close to the airpot, an increase in complications from patients retuning from overseas,” she said.

These complications range from minor to life-threatening, Sanki said.

“For example we had a lady present with a grossly infected buttock fat graft that needed her to go back to theatre many times and have significant antibiotic therapy.”

Worryingly, in another instance, an entire family contracted hepatitis after travelling to India for dental implants.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has previously said that the rise is linked to ads on TikTok, and they are seeing a “a direct relationship between procedures that are trending on TikTok and what patients are coming to the office for”.

Sanki said that social media advertising is fuelling medical tourism as Australian practices are unable to advertise in that way.

According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons “surgeons based overseas have no restriction on the way that they advertise.  This means that their adverts may look more glamorous or illustrate good results, but may be less realistic.”

In the UK, The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported that there was a 44 per cent increase in the amount of people needing corrective surgery in 2021, compared to the year before when people couldn’t travel due to Covid.

It has also been reported that the NHS – the UK’s national health service – is seeing a noticeable boom in people needing emergency care after surgeries gone wrong

Some of the most common procedures that Aussies will travel for are butt lifts, breast augmentation, dental implants, liposuction, facelift, tummy tucks, eyelid surgery, and nose reshaping.

The global medical tourism market was valued at US$24.14 billion (AU$36.6 billion) in 2023 and is projected to be worth US$29.26 billion in 2024 and reach US$137.71 billion by 2032.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Sustainability
  • Wholesalers

The Intrepid Foundation launches appeal to support Northern Vietnamese communities following Typhoon Yagi

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, to support impacted communities in Northern Vietnam following Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on 7 September, 2024. All funds raised through the appeal will go directly to grassroots organisation Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, to provide immediate relief to thousands without shelter, food […]

  • Aviation

Philippine Airlines and VietJet look to community connection near Western Sydney Airport

Both Philippine Airlines and VietJet will explore services from Western Sydney Airport with the airport’s proximity to the Filipino and Vietnamese diaspora in Sydney potentially beneficial to both carriers. Philippine Airlines VP revenue management and commercial planning Alex Featherstone, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, said the carrier would “explore” the potential […]

  • Tourism

Australian Cycle Tours adds new cycle trip to the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

Australian Cycle Tours has added a new, extended cycle trip that includes all sections of the popular Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. The new trip commences in Beechworth with the first two days cycling with a transfer back to Beechworth, before continuing to Myrtleford and Bright, with a cycle on the newest sections of […]

  • Events
  • News

Anangu Communities Foundation raises $75,000 at its third annual Sydney fundraiser

Generous supporters gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for the third annual Anangu Communities Foundation Sydney fundraiser to help raise $75,000. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia administers the Foundation which so far has funded over $3 million in projects to support Anangu communities of Central Australia with a focus on building community capacity in healthcare, […]

  • News
  • Travel Agents

‘Virtuoso on Tour’ photos: Virtuoso showcases its best to agent base

Virtuoso hosted its second annual Virtuoso On Tour,  a destinations event at the ICC in Sydney showcasing tour operators, tourism boards and more to its agent family. The event is designed for travel agency members in Australia and New Zealand to network with Virtuoso partners across the globe. It housed six destination-themed pavilions (Australia & […]