Medical tourism refers to those people who travel from their place of origin to other countries to undergo medical treatments, and at the same time, get to know the tourist attractions that these offer.
In Cancun, for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, this potential is very wide, due to the fact that it has a specialized staff with academic training in prestigious universities in Mexico and also characterized by a teamwork made up of the plastic surgeon, medical anesthesiologists, auxiliary nurses and administrative staff, as well as high international standards in the current infrastructure in which plastic surgery procedures are performed. All of the above leads each of the patients to find a space of comfort, security and privacy for each of the surgeries. Cancun stands out as a city with tropical climate throughout the year, and with one of the most beautiful beaches in the country; With an infrastructure that gives the patient other options besides surgery, this leads Cancun to be chosen as one of the main destinations for medical tourism in Latin America.
However, medical tourism is not a new concept, and although it sounds favorable it also implies a responsibility for the patients who place the trust in us. For this reason, there are different types of accreditations such as the ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), CEHC (Canadian Healthcare Council), AMCPER (Mexican Association of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Esthetics) and Quintana Roo Health Secretariat, which evaluate the infrastructure in which the procedure will be performed and the professional’s suitability, to ensure patient safety.
In today’s global environment, where interest in aesthetic plastic surgery has never been so high, we must help the patient to select a specialist with formal education in plastic surgery procedures to perform their procedure in an establishment that complies with the quality standards, in order to reduce the risks and complications resulting from cosmetic surgery, and4 thus support and strengthen our image in the international context as an excellent option for patients wishing to undergo cosmetic surgery and do not hesitate to choose us. In Mexico, the Mexican Association of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Aesthetics (AMCPER) provides guidelines that guide patients who wish to undergo plastic surgery as well as the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) in the international context.
There are 4 points that the patient must take into account in order for the surgery to be safe and successful:
The above refers to the importance of the patient being honest with all the information in the medical history, being aware of the type of procedure they want and the probable risks that it can present (like any other surgical procedure, it presents risks and potential adverse effects, there is no zero risk surgery). In Mexico, a plastic surgeon requires a specialist degree obtained from a university, recognized as a formal education degree, and being able to practice the specialty in the country where they graduated.
Today, in many countries, including Mexico, any health care professional with a medical degree can call themselves “cosmetic plastic surgeon”. The problem is increased when the procedures are performed in their own offices or clinics with unregulated environments. Therefore, it is very important that the patient is informed about the facilities of the clinic where the surgical procedures will be carried out, and that these are duly certified.
It is important when deciding who will perform your plastic surgery to verify that your doctor is a certified specialist. It is difficult for patients and the public to sometimes realize this, since modern technology and deceptive advertising can confuse patients. That is why it is important to support ourselves in valid certified societies. In Mexico, the AMCPER is a company that has more than 40 years of experience, made up of suitable plastic surgeons and can help to confirm the general public that its members are specialists in plastic surgery. In the international context, ISAPS is another company with a valid trajectory. These act as filters so that patients can be sure that their doctor is a qualified plastic surgeon.
In Cancún, the Amerimed Hospital is certified by the CEHC (Canadian healthcare council), which assures patients that it is a place where procedures are carried out with high standards of quality and safety.
Nowadays, it is important to have insurance that supports your surgical procedure, for any eventuality or complication of the surgery. Consider the option of having international medical coverage for surgeries performed outside your country.
It is imperative that in the consultation there is a person who speaks fluently your language. At Shape & Beauty we have trilingual staff.
You should be talking directly with the doctor’s staff and / or the doctor, remember that medical issues are only discussed with medical personnel and the subjects of your surgery only with your plastic surgeon.
This is part of the research the patient must perform on his or her surgeon. Societies such as AMCPER in Mexico and ISAPS in the international context accept their members after extensive research and only if it meets all the requirements. Dr. Carmona is part of these two societies.
Ask about names and contact information of other patients who have recently had similar procedures. Dr. Carmona has a profile on RealSelf where one can calmly read his patient testimonials.
Questioning the patient about choosing the right procedure
In many cases the procedure that you want does not get the improvements you have in mind. It is important to understand the improvements the procedure can provide. For example, you might be considering liposuction when a tummy tuck is necessary. That is why the relationship between the surgeon and the patient must be made up of trust, truth and resolution of all doubts.
The patient should be aware of what the procedure entails in terms of the scars, recovery time and risks.
The patient should be aware that plastic surgery is a surgery like any other, therefore carries inherent risks to the procedure. It is also important to know that the good candidates are patients who are healthy or have mild but compensated systemic diseases. That is why the surgeon in the preoperative consultation will define if you are fit for the procedure you want according to your medical history. Talk with the surgeon about your expected outcome to make sure that it is reasonable.
Where will you stay while you recover?
Patients must remain in the area where the surgery was performed for at least a week, depending on the procedure. Traveling too soon after surgery increases the risk of post-surgical complications.
At Shape & Beauty we have an agreement with the following hotels:
Hotel La Quinta Inn & Suites and the Hampton Inn.
Even when the surgery is performed properly, complications are a possibility that must be taken into account. For this it is very important to keep track of postoperative check ups.
Another purpose of the guidelines is to tell the patient before traveling what they must verify, which are: the costs of surgery and what is included in that price, in addition to the financing, travel, recovery and postoperative care needs.
The patient should also know:
References:
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. ISAPS Key Guidelines for Plastic surgery travelers
Iorio ML, Verma K, Ashktorab S, Davison SP, Medical Tourism in Plastic Surgery: Ethical Guidelines and Practice Standards for Perioperative Care Aesth Plast Surg. 2014;38(3):602-7.
B. Marin, J. Enrique., (2015), Catástrofes en Cirugía Plástica, Editorial S.C.A.R.E
