Britons seeking medical treatment abroad should beware of low prices

Patients seeking medical treatment in Turkey and other countries should do their own research and not be lured by low prices, experts warn.

From Brazilian butt lifts to Hollywood smiles and even organ transplants, the range of procedures offered by overseas providers is staggering, with numerous companies now promoting packages that include flights, accommodation and post-operative hotel accommodation.

However, experts warn that medical tourism can come with hidden physical and psychological costs.

Dr. Bessam Farjo, a hair transplant surgeon at the Farjo Hair Institute, says he spends about 25 percent of his time at the clinic solving problems caused by poorly performed hair transplants in Turkey and elsewhere.

“The initial low cost can lead to higher long-term costs and complications when the work needs to be redone,” he says.

“Patients come to me hoping to reverse their previous surgeries, often involving more complex procedures than if they had sought the right treatment in the first place. The psychological impact of failed surgeries is significant, leading to stress, anxiety and reduced self-confidence.”

Naveen Cavale, NHS plastic surgeon and founder of Real Plastic Surgery, said that while there were skilled surgeons in Turkey, there were many who did not meet the high standards expected in the UK.

“Patients may be tempted by the lower cost, but they should be aware of the risks: quality and safety should never be compromised and it is critical to thoroughly research and verify the credentials of an overseas clinic or surgeon,” he said.

Earlier this week, the British Medical Association’s annual meeting in Belfast was told there had been a “boom” in surgical tourism, “leading to an increase in serious complications and deaths following operations”, with the NHS left “picking up the pieces”.

The warnings came as the two-day Health Tourism Expo, featuring 74 exhibitors – including dental clinics, hospitals and health tourism boards – began in London on Friday.

Many of the exhibitors were based in Turkey, with procedures on offer ranging from IVF to robotic joint replacements, hair transplants, dental work and addiction treatment.

Muhammet Zülküf Yazıcı – a clinical psychologist at Moodist Hospital in Turkey – said privacy, comfort and the availability of care in different languages ​​are some of the reasons why people seek addiction treatment abroad.

Many of the people coming from Britain, he added, are men. “And mainly because of cocaine addiction,” he said.

All healthcare providers the Guardian spoke to said they carried out consultations before accepting patients for procedures, as well as aftercare – including after the patient had returned home. The prices, they added, depended on the specific package a patient desired.

“Last year, we accepted 17,000 international patients from all over the world,” said Tuğba Ariz of Guven Health Group, adding that if complications arise after a procedure, patients can choose to return to Turkey or seek local private care.

“All of our patients are insured by our hospital,” she said.

Among those exploring treatment options at the fair was Samantha Fisher-Jaine, 58, who was looking at dental implants. “It costs two and a half thousand pounds to get one implant in England at my dentist,” she said. “And you know, it’s going to cost me almost the same amount to get all my teeth done (abroad).”

Fisher-Jaine said aftercare is important to her.

“Some (companies) have follow-up studies in England, which is great for the first two years, and then you can always fly back,” she said.

Zahid Hamid, founder of medical tourism company Right Choice Home and Away, said some of the criticism of the sector is justified.

“What we will not do is stop people from going abroad, what we can do is help them make better decisions,” he said, stressing that information about what potential patients should look out for needs to be better communicated.

İlayda Seçer, deputy director of the expo, said it is an opportunity for potential patients to explore their options, with all exhibitors authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Dr. David Strain from the University of Exeter said those considering treatment abroad should not rely on what they read online.

“Always go from personal recommendations to people who have actually seen it. Be prepared to go and look, turn around and come back and say, ‘No, this is not right,’” he said. “And frankly, I would say go and talk to your local MP, whoever that is, and say, ‘Why do we need to do this?’ Invest your time and energy in getting our health service back on track.”