Medical Tourism

Thomas P. Sterry, MD

Do you feel comfortable with the plastic surgeons in your area?  Perhaps your state doesn’t have an expert in the procedure you are seeking.  The appeal of medical tourism is hard to miss.  With “lower prices” and beautiful resort to recover in, who wouldn’t want a cosmetic vacation?  Not all that glitters is gold… and now there is a high rate of travel for procedures right here in the United States.  Here are some key points to look for when selecting a surgeon out of state, if you are also interested in where you can go for medical training, then consider taking a few medical assistant programs

  1. 1. Check that the surgeon is board certified:   Look for the American Board of Plastic Surgery & American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
  2. 2. Ask if they have hospital privileges: Dr. Rod Rohrich, past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says, “If they don’t have hospital privileges, that’s a huge red flag.”
  3. 3. Experience:  Even if the surgeon has years of practice, you should also see how many patients he/she has performed your specific procedure on.  More operating experience = mastering the technique.
  4. 4. Make sure you’re comfortable:  Trust and “bedside manner” are very important when building a relationship with your surgeon.  If you feel uncomfortable, pressed to buy, or have procedures you didn’t request.  You might want to reconsider another surgeon.

Dr. Sterry has treated a variety of patients from all around the world.  He has private consultations via skype or in office with each person to ensure they fully understand the procedure and outcomes.  Traveling for a procedure can be awesome, just be sure you do your homework.
 

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