Posted by LawtonMD on September 15, 2013
Newport Beach, Calif. – The horror stories of botched abroad plastic surgery procedures are well known, but Americans have still been lured to popular, exotic international destinations to combine cosmetic surgery with the allure of recovering in paradise. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tenley Lawton, based in Orange County (the cosmetic surgery capital of U.S.) notices this dangerous trend shifting gears and offers a new incentive to bring medical tourism to Southern California.
“When it comes to plastic surgery, Americans have often used their passport to recuperate overseas,” says Dr. Lawton. “Part of the allure for Americans has been the chance to get well in intriguing faraway lands.” However, buyer beware warns Dr. Lawton. “The horror stories of international plastic surgery trips are real,” she cautions.
“I am seeing more and more patients who considered overseas surgery, but after further research have changed their mind. Many international countries, which rely on plastic surgery medical tourism, are also less strenuously regulated than in the states,” she claims. U.S. Board-certified plastic surgeons are required to undergo significant vetting, protocols, training and more. The regulations are extensive and impressive making board-certified plastic surgeons here in the U.S. a safer, more appealing choice for not only Americans but overseas visitors seeking their own surgeries. “In the last month, I have operated on patients from the Midwest, Latin America, Russia, and Dubai,” says Dr. Lawton.
OC Beautification Staycations Thrive
Not only are the strenuous regulations in the U.S. appealing to international patients, but the beauty of Southern California is equally appealing for recovery. “Patients are opting for surgeries along America’s Riviera, complete with pristine beaches, warm Pacific waters, palm trees, and perfect temperatures. Orange County is home to some of the country’s most luxurious resorts,” Dr. Lawton says.
Noting the area’s appeal, Dr. Tenley Lawton has created a unique package of medical tourism in the Southern California area.
Finally, Dr. Lawton notes that the trend is catching up with Medical Tourism patients who’ve been seeking orthopedic surgery for years. “Some of the world’s best athletes have been choosing the states for their surgeries for many years now. Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Vonn all found respite in nearby Colorado. Now the trend extends beyond orthopedic into the fields of plastic surgery, as patients head west to stunning Southern California,” she says.