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Malaysia tourists often seek discount plastic surgery

Penang is a common destination for foreign visitors to Malaysia.  As I've discussed in the past, there's a growing tourism trade around cosmetic surgery and other medical procedures performed when abroad.  Penang is becoming known as a key destination for these "medical travelers". 

Obvious benefit sought:  lower cost of getting a breast lift, or teeth whitened, or botox injections.  Also, it enables the patient to recover in a private, often luxurious setting. 

One firm that I keep running across is Beautiful Holidays, based in Malaysia but with respresentatives in the U.S. and Singapore.  If any readers have experience with this company, please leave a comment.  Otherwise, I'll dig around to try and find out more.

See: Over the ocean, under the knife
Chicago Sun-Times - United States

Costa Rica dentist to the stars

Dr. Kaver's Esthetic and Restorative Dental Clinic provides cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, fillings, bridges, crowns, and tooth whitening.  This firm's website states these services are completed in compliance with ADA standards.

His clientele apparently includes some beauty contest winners too.

Sorry we can't pass along fees charged for services; this information is not listed on their website. 

Thailand continues to be a popular destination for surgery discounts

Often the rationale for going abroad for cosmetic procedures and non-elective procedures (referred to as  Medical Tourism) is driven by the fact millions of citizens lack private health insurance and that the cost of services in markets like Thailand are 1/3rd the cost of the US, Europe or Australia. 

Good illustration of this in a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald.  Even complex medical procedures, like open heart surgery, are being conducted in Thailand on foreign patients.  One heart patient was quoted an estimate in the US for $60,000 to $80,000.  The patient opted for the respected Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, spending a total of $12,000 (including travel expense).  Plastic surgery, especially new procedures that have yet made it through US and EU regulators is also commonly sought by foreigners. 

A slice of the action

Cosmetic Treatment Expert on Botox...it's all about shadows & lines

My friends swear by Botox® injections to reduce facial wrinkles, especially frown lines, "crow's feet," and forehead furrows.  I haven't tried it, but it seems like a great alternative to extensive plastic surgery procedure such as a face lift.

And by now almost everyone has heard about Botox injections as a treatment for wrinkles.  (in case it's new to you, Botox is "Botulinum Toxin Type A", which was originally slated to treat neurological disorders).

As far as Botox treatments abroad, I ran across an interesting perspective from David Loh Surgery, a Singapore cosmetic surgeon.  He emphasizes that Botox is a question of Shadows and Lines.  In his own words:

With the above BOTOX and Fillers Techniques we do not obliterate all the wrinkles. Some of them are cheerful expressions. The aim, we cannot emphasize more, is to decrease harsh shadows across the face and to create a smooth continuous line running from ear to chin. The jowls are a give away on a person's "age", for example... The hallowed out temple area and overlapping of the double eyelids are another very telltale sign of aging.

Seems like a fair assessment of Botox....you agree?

Lithuania for Plastic Surgery

The Centre of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Vilnius University Hospital is widely respected by Lithuanian residents and many neighbouring countries seek plastic and cosmetic surgery here.

Dr. Tarvilas Norkus performs breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposuction, tummy tucks, Dysport, blepharoplasty and other types of plastic surgery at his clinic in Kaunas, Lithuania.

A patient testimonial:

Everything went very smoothly and I'm very satisfied with the result (one month after surgery). My stay in Kaunas was very pleasant; the hotel was of very good standard and the two surgeons (Tarvilas and Martynas Norkus) have extensive experience also from Germany and USA and possess top competence within cosmetic surgery, so I can really recommend a visit to their clinic in case you are in evaluation of cosmetic surgery. The quality is excellent, facilities top modern and the prices are reasonable compared to Norway and Western Europe.

Plastic Surgery Junkie

Two-thirds of cosmetic surgery patients are repeaters, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2000. For some, especially those in the entertainment business, it's merely a fact of life to have cosmetic surgery. For the average American, the stigma attached to a little beauty maintenance work now and then has all but fallen away.

A surgery junkie, Jocelyne Wildenstein answers some questions about how to go about chosing a docotor and why people go down this path of getting plastic surgery.  Not sure that I would take her advise. But, I do like this statement by a Dr. Bitar in Los Angeles:

While the reasons for choosing facial cosmetic surgery are as varied as different individuals, they do share a fundamental link- people choose cosmetic surgery because it offers us a unique opportunity to enhance the way we feel about ourselves.

Has Dr. Singh revolutionized the concept of Cosmetic Surgery?

Singh's Lipo-suction Technique” and “Singh's Lipo-injection Technique” are referred to in a press release announcing his involvement in a recent convention on medical tourism in India.

My understanding is that Dr. Singh has modified the liposuction process which cuts down the time and cost of the liposuction procedure.  According to a Chennai based report:  "With his procedure, up to 6 litres of fat can be taken out at one go. The next sitting, if needed, can take place after two days. With the improvements brought about by him, three sittings can be held within a week. The new technique is safer and far more economical from the patients' point of view."

Would be interesting to know more about what aspects of the liposuction technique he's modified to deliver such positive results.

Dr. B. P. Singh Introduces New Medical and Surgical Techniques to Combat Aging

Facial Fillers in Thailand

Restylane, Restylane Fine Lines, Perlane, Hylaform, Hylaform Plus, Juvederm are considered the new future of cosmetic dermal fillers. Restylane is the most highly purified form of hyaluronic acid gel on the market. Completely natural, biodegradable, non-animal derived, it poses no risk of rejection. It lasts longer than Botox. Six months is standard and a year is not unusual. Restylane Fine Lines addresses those finer lines of the upper lip. Other products are better for deeper facial contours like cheeks and chins.

Click here to see some before and after pictures of Restylane users.

In Bangkok, Thailand you can get this procedure at Bumrungrad Hospital. They give some information on what are the goals of filler materials. 
Fillers are materials that are placed into deeper lines and wrinkles. Filler agents typically are used for those wrinkles that are too deep to be treated with lasers. Most commonly filler agents are used for smile lines wrinkles, between the eyebrows, sagging cheekbones or to enhance the appearance of upper and lower lips. Acne, chicken pox and other depressed scars can also be improved.

Other locations in Bangkok:

Pichet Plastic Surgery Clinic run by Dr. Pichet Rodchareon , a board certified Plastic surgeon.

St. Carlos Integrated Medical Spa

Clinic Soi 1 run by Dr Witoon Wisuthseriwong, a board certified Plastic surgeon who has been practicing cosmetic surgery for over 30 years.

And lets not forget the Cosmetic Laser Surgery Clinic, who has a fun graphic on their web page.

New Efforts to Attract Medical Tourists to India

“The biggest way in attracting international patients is through word of mouth...."  Ashok Ananthram, Apollo Hospitals)

Apollo Hospitals in India are ramping up marketing efforts to attract foreign patients to India.  They are targeting new patients from Middle East, Bangladesh or Britain. Europe and Canada are likely good growth opportunities due to long waiting times citizens must endure to access surgeons.

Word of mouth has lured patients from the US as they pursue cutting-edge procedures, at reasonable prices.  Meanwhile, corporate hospitals operated by Apollo and Escorts, are benefiting from increased visits from the emerging middle-class in India. 

I haven't run across many articles or websites that reference India as a destination for plastic surgery, so it seems that India is going after invasive procedures that are often non-elective like hip replacements and heart surgery. 

Liposuction in Malaysia

So, let’s talk about Lipo.  Liposuction is defined as the removal of fat deposits beneath the skin using a hollow stainless steel tube (a cannula) with the assistance of a powerful vacuum. Liposuction can be accomplished with general anesthesia, heavy IV sedation, or totally by local anesthesia.

Dr. Susan Lim in Singapore breaks it into 2 categories:

Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction refers to a technique that uses large volumes of very dilute local anesthesia that is injected into the fat causing the targeted areas to be come swollen and firm. Local anesthesia is widely regarded as the safest form of anesthesia. Because local anesthesia persists for many hours there is no need for narcotic pain medications after surgery.

Modified Tumescent Liposuction
Modified tumescent liposuction refers to a combination of tumescent local anesthesia plus some form of systemic anesthesia (general anesthesia or heavy IV sedation). Because general anesthesia or heavy IV sedation can be dangerous, they must be administered by an anesthesiologist.

Dr. Lim along with the help of Dr. Rohan Mendis runs the Lifestyle Surgery Clinic in Singapore.  This clinic offers minimally and non-invasive technology in cosmetic surgery, such as laser liposuction/liposculpture for fat removal, and facial and skin rejuvenation using Botox, intense pulse light (IPL), microdermabrasion and the newest Italian technology of Electroporation for aging skin.

Dr. Martin H. S. Huang is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Founder, and Director of The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, MD Specialist Healthcare, The Specialist Surgery and Laser Centre, and Pacific Healthcare, Singapore.

Dr. Harry Fok and Dr. Seah Chee Seng started the Sinova Medical Centre, which markets itself as a place “entirely dedicated to beauty”. Besides the usual operations such as nose jobs and tummy tucks, and medical procedures like botox and laser treatments, they also offers spa-like services.

Dr. Yeap Choong Lieng runs the Yeap Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery at the Mt. Elizabeth Medical Centre.

Anyone have any experience at any of these clinics or comments that they wish to share?