Revision surgery after surgery abroad: what to do next

If you're unwell now

This guide is about planning what comes next after surgery abroad, including finding a specialist plastic surgeon for revision. If you feel unwell or are worried about a wound, don't wait to hear back from a clinic overseas. Get medical help where you are. In the UK, that means NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. In Ireland, call 112 or 999 in an emergency.

Nothing here replaces the advice of the doctor treating you.

Contact the original surgeon

Your original surgeon knows exactly what was done, so contact their team first, in writing if you can. Ask for, or check you already have:

• A written summary of the operation, in a language your own doctor can read.
• Details of any implants or materials used.
• Your medicines and the aftercare plan you were given.
• What follow-up or further surgery the clinic offers, and on what terms.

Keep your own record too: dated photos, notes on how you feel, and copies of every message and receipt. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs advises asking for a discharge summary in English before you leave hospital abroad. If you didn't get one, ask for it now.

What the NHS says about follow-up from abroad

The NHS warns that overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK, and may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can go to if you have problems. It also says travel insurance does not normally cover you if things go wrong in surgery.

If it isn't urgent, your GP can look at what's happening and talk through the options with you. Take your written summary along.

What BAAPS has reported

BAAPS reported in November 2023 that 78% of the corrective operations its members carried out in the UK since November 2022 followed procedures in Turkey.

That is one association's figure for one period. It tells you nothing about any particular clinic or surgeon, in Turkey or anywhere else, and it isn't a reason to panic if your own recovery is going to plan.

Choosing a plastic surgeon for revision

Check whoever does a revision as carefully as you'd check anyone. Look for a specialist plastic surgeon on the official register: plastic surgery on the GMC specialist register in the UK, or specialist registration with the Medical Council in Ireland. What is a consultant plastic surgeon? explains the UK and Irish terms. Questions to ask:

• How often do you see patients after surgery done elsewhere, and for which procedures?
• What do you need from my original surgeon before you can advise me?
• Is there a reason to wait before any further surgery?
• What are the options, including not operating?
• What would a revision cost, and what would that include?

Our pages on the United Kingdom and Ireland show where to check.

Costs and insurance

Ask your original clinic, in writing, whether its revision policy covers this and whether you'd need to travel back. Check your own insurance documents rather than assuming either way, and ask for any revision quote to be written and itemised. What a facelift price should include shows what to look for in any quote.

Checking the original surgeon

It helps to know what the original surgeon's registration shows, for your records and for any complaint. Check the register of the country where they operated, not where the clinic advertised. How to check if a surgeon is registered covers the countries we include, and you can check a plastic surgeon's registration with us. Still planning a trip? Start with surgery abroad: what to check first.

Sources

• NHS, Cosmetic surgery abroad Official
• Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland), Medical tourism Official
• General Medical Council, the medical register Official
• Medical Council (Ireland), Check the register Official
• BAAPS, Cosmetic tourism update (13 November 2023) Independent