Cosmetic Surgery Tourism- Survey
Overview of results
Thirty-seven per cent of respondents said they or a member of their team had seen patients with complications following cosmetic procedures outside the UK. Of those who answered yes, 83% (62) consultants completed the rest of the questionnaire detailing the impact of cosmetic tourism on their NHS services.
215 patients were seen by consultants or members of their NHS team with complications or concerns relating to cosmetic procedures performed outside the UK
60% of those surveyed believe the number of patients presenting to their NHS team with complications from cosmetic procedures outside the UK has increased
41% of consultants felt that an increasing number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad will have a significant impact on their NHS service
Complications by type of procedure
| Procedure | Number | % |
| Breast augmentation | 61 | 29 |
| Abdominoplasty | 53 | 25.2 |
| Breast reduction | 33 | 15.7 |
| Face/neck lift | 22 | 10.5 |
| Mastopexy | 12 | 5.7 |
| Blepharoplasty | 11 | 5.2 |
| Rhinoplasty | 10 | 4.8 |
| Buttock/thigh lift | 3 | 1.4 |
| Gynaecomastia surgery | 2 | 1 |
| Other (unspecified) | 2 | 1 |
| Skin reduction (non-breast) | 1 | 0.5 |
Cosmetic surgery destinations abroad
| Location | Number | % |
| Eastern Europe | 82 | 41.2 |
| Western Europe | 67 | 33.7 |
| Asia | 22 | 11.1 |
| South America | 6 | 3 |
| Middle East | 5 | 2.5 |
| North America | 3 | 1.5 |
| No response | 3 | 1.5 |
| Australasia | 0 | 0 |
Patient Referrals
| Patients were referred by | Number | % |
| GP | 102 | 55 |
| A&E | 62 | 33 |
| Consultant in private sector | 14 | 8 |
| NHS consultant | 8 | 4 |
| Patients referred to | Number | % |
| Out-patients clinic | 122 | 64 |
| As an emergency | 69 | 36 |
Complications and treatment
| Patients presented with | Number | % |
| Post-operative complications requiring treatment | 145 | 74 |
| Cosmetic concerns/dissatisfaction | 50 | 26 |
| Patients required | Number | % |
| Out-patient non-surgical treatment | 69 | 34 |
| Elective surgery | 65 | 32 |
| Emergency surgery | 52 | 26 |
| In-patient non-surgical treatment | 17 | 8 |