Cosmetic Surgery in Eastern Europe

The situation

In recent years, Eastern Europe has become an increasingly popular destination for Britons seeking to undergo cosmetic surgery abroad. One reason is the abundance of highly qualified practitioners in the region (the Czech Republic, for example, requires all cosmetic surgeons to be fully qualified, unlike in the UK where such guidelines on professionals are yet to be enforced by law). However, evidence shows that the relatively low cost of treatment in the region is the greatest draw to UK residents.

The demand

The rise in cosmetic surgery holidays to Eastern Europe has coincided with the rise in low-cost airfares to the region. Hungary, for example, has been a popular destination for Germans and Austrians seeking low-cost cosmetic surgery for well over a decade but has only seen a surge in popularity from the UK following the introduction of cheap flights by budget carriers over the past few years. Treatments themselves are also considerably less expensive - face and neck lift that in the UK would cost around £5,000 can be had for as little as £2,000 in a clinic in Budapest, for example - adding to the appeal for budget-conscious Brits.

This increasing popularity has meant that most cosmetic procedures are now available to customers travelling to Eastern Europe, even if many parts of the region were, until recently, best known for private cosmetic dentistry (a porcelain crown in Hungary costs £180 compared with £500 for the same procedure with a private dentist in the UK, for example, while a quartet of tooth implants in Croatia at around £3,500 comes in at about a quarter of the price for the same treatment in Britain).

But while costs are low, standards remain generally high with tightly regulated industries operating across much of Eastern Europe (in the Czech Republic, for example, nurses undergo six years’ training, including specialist instruction in cosmetic procedures and treatment). However, potential patients still need to be on their guard.

How to stay safe

Many of the cosmetic surgery ‘holidays’ arranged by companies within the UK set up procedures with a minimum of knowledge about a patient’s requirements or medical history. It’s up to patients to ensure they know exactly what to expect, including what the complete procedure involves and the kind of aftercare on offer. Insist upon seeing a surgeon’s qualifications and double-check these by going to the appropriate regulatory body for the country. In Hungary, for example, doctors have to be registered with and approved by the government health department before they can practise and the same applies to all clinics and hospitals, but it’s up to patients to check that these standards have been met.

Be clear that any pre- and post-surgical consultations at a clinic will be in English. If at any point you feel unsure, don’t do it. It might seem like a costly mistake at the time (it’s unlikely that any fees paid will be refundable), but it could prove to be considerably cheaper than trying to rectify a procedure at a later date.

EU member states offer emergency medical treatment to UK citizens but private medical procedures are not covered by respective Eastern European healthcare systems. Clinics may offer follow-up treatment in the event of any complications (again, check this before travelling), but bear in mind that even if medical costs are covered you will still have flight and accommodation costs to pay. Far better to do your homework to ensure risks are kept to a minimum before going ahead.