News ARTICLE - Nip-away holidays

 

Sunday Star Times (New Zealand)
6th Nov 2005

By Emily Watt

GROWING NUMBERS of New Zealanders are flying to Asia for dentistry, cosmetic surgery, and elective operations at a snip of the price at home. Those who nip off to get something tucked or fixed say the quality of care is excellent and it costs a lot less. Medical experts warn against the practice, saying overseas treatment offers no safety guarantees and patients are vulnerable if something goes wrong. One patient travelling abroad for a kidney transplant returned with hepatitis, and New Zealand surgeons were left treating infections following cheap Asian operations. But those who organise the medical tours say they are careful to vet all surgeons and hospitals, and their track record is proof of the standard of treatment.

Louise Cogan, director of travel firm Gorgeous Getaways, said business for cosmetic surgery overseas had doubled every month in the past two years.

One of Cogan's clients, Allie Hannan, a 25-year-old student from Wellington, combined cosmetic surgery with a holiday in Malaysia in March. She said the treatment was excellent. A 10-day holiday in Kuala Lumpur, including facial slimming, rhinoplasty and lip enlargement, five-star accommodation and flights cost $7600. The surgery here could have cost $15,000. "I would have paid twice as much here, and going to Malaysia was something I'd always wanted to do."

New Zealand Medical Association chairman Ross Boswell said patients treated in New Zealand were covered by ACC if something went wrong, but patients treated overseas would not be covered if they were permanently harmed. "There are important considerations. Firstly, is it safe? And secondly, what would happen if it didn't turn out the way you thought it would?" Christchurch plastic surgeon Stuart Sinclair said all surgery had complications. "Life would be wonderful if everything went perfectly. The majority of cases do, but for those who have complications, one normally follows that patient up until the situation is sorted out. That is very difficult if you're 5000 miles away."

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