BAAPS Statement on ASA Ruling for Medical Tourism Advert

17 February 2015 (Last updated: 27 Mar 2019 13:29)

According to consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS Council member Kevin Hancock:

“The BAAPS have consistently advised against traveling abroad for any kind of surgery – not just cosmetic – as all surgical procedures carry risks, even when performed by a reputable surgeon in the UK. The possibility of complications increases considerably with travel and limits the availability of aftercare.

This ad completely trivializes the risks of surgery. Patients who opt for medical tourism are risking their health - often going without essential pre-surgical screenings or followup care that would be standard practice in their home country. They may also feel pressured to ultimately undergo an unnecessary procedure, having spent time and money to travel to their destination.

When things go wrong abroad, patients have little to no recourse other than to pursue additional treatment at their own expense, or in many instances, when back in the UK they are referred onto the NHS for complications that can appear weeks or even months after a procedure.

The public would be aghast to find information about open-heart or hip replacement surgery posted in a motorway toilet, and so should be equally shocked by this kind of inappropriate, socially irresponsible advertising of cosmetic surgery.”

ENDS

About the BAAPS

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

 

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