Thinking About Treatment Abroad? How to Check a Clinic in Ten Minutes
Price is only one part of the picture. Here is how to verify a clinic, a surgeon and a hospital before you pay a deposit — wherever you are travelling.
Photo: Pexels
Key takeaways
- Check that the surgeon is registered with the national medical authority and is a specialist in the procedure.
- Confirm that the hospital or clinic is licensed for that procedure — and, where relevant, for treating international patients.
- Get a written plan that covers aftercare, complications and follow-up once you are home.
- Plan enough recovery time before flying, as advised by your surgeon.
Every year, large numbers of people travel for aesthetic and cosmetic surgery, drawn by lower prices and experienced specialists. Many have excellent experiences. But health services also see patients with complications from treatment abroad, and their advice is consistent: do your checks before you book.1
1. Check the surgeon, not just the clinic
Ask for the full name of the surgeon who will operate. Then check:
- Are they registered with the country’s medical authority or medical chamber?
- Are they a qualified specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery (or the relevant specialty)?
- Are they a member of a recognised professional society?3
Be cautious if a clinic will not name the surgeon in advance, or if your consultation is only with a sales coordinator.
2. Check the hospital or clinic licence
Surgery should take place in a licensed hospital or surgical facility with anaesthesia and emergency care on site. Many countries also license facilities to treat international patients. In Türkiye, for example, the Ministry of Health authorises facilities and intermediaries for international health tourism, and you can ask to see that authorisation.4 International accreditation can be a further reassurance, but it does not replace a national licence.
3. Get everything in writing
A responsible provider will give you a written treatment plan that includes the procedure, the surgeon, the hospital, what is included in the price, the planned length of stay, aftercare, and what happens — and who pays — if there is a complication.2
4. Plan your recovery honestly
Ask how long you should stay before flying home and follow that advice; long flights soon after surgery carry a risk of blood clots. Before you travel, consider who will provide follow-up care at home, and bring copies of your medical records back with you.1
The right question is not “How cheap is it?” but “What happens if something goes wrong?”
Red flags
Pressure to book quickly, “today only” discounts, multiple major procedures in one short trip, no medical questionnaire, no named surgeon, and payment requested in cash or to personal accounts are all reasons to pause.2
The bottom line
Travelling for treatment can be a reasonable choice when it is planned like the medical decision it is. Ten minutes of checking credentials and licences is the best investment you will make in the whole trip.
Sources
- NHS. Cosmetic surgery abroad. nhs.uk.
- British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Cosmetic surgery abroad: advice for patients. baaps.org.uk.
- International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Patient safety and medical travel. isaps.org.
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. International health tourism: authorised facilities. saglik.gov.tr.