The term “medical tourism” refers to traveling abroad for surgery. It is not always the safest or most cost-effective option in plastic and reconstructive surgery—especially for the transgender community.
Many international organizations and professional societies express concerns about the potential risks faced by patients who experience serious complications after having plastic surgery abroad. While there are excellent surgeons worldwide, some people choose medical tourism for the wrong reasons—as a “cheap deal” or a “great bargain.”
For patients considering gender-affirming reconstructive surgery abroad, we strongly recommend re-evaluating this decision carefully. Although no operation is risk-free, there are additional hazards to consider when seeking complex surgical procedures outside your home country.
Patient care
In European countries, there is strong emphasis on patient safety and rights—both from the legal system and from certification bodies that rigorously evaluate medical facilities. Both the medical staff and the clinic are assessed. If staff lack appropriate specialization, a high level of knowledge, or ethical conduct, they can lose their license to practice.
By contrast, it can be difficult for a patient to determine what standards a surgeon abroad meets, or how they would seek redress if surgery were performed by someone unlicensed or below accepted standards and irreversible complications occurred.
Although there are qualified plastic surgeons worldwide, patients may struggle to verify a surgeon’s credentials as well as the clinic’s equipment standards, medical devices, and safety procedures. When browsing websites or dealing with travel agencies, it may be impossible to tell whether a facility meets the highest standards—or even whether clear communication in the patient’s language will be possible for instructions and basic pre-/postoperative matters.
If a patient is considering surgery abroad, they should conduct thorough, careful research. Different countries have different standards of medical care. Choosing a practitioner who is a member of reputable international organizations and a facility accredited by recognized bodies can significantly reduce many risks associated with medical tourism.
Health complications related to travel
Many plastic-surgery procedures are marketed abroad as a “holiday package.” Don’t be misled. Full recovery can take weeks to months, which means a patient may not be ready for typical holiday activities—drinking alcohol, sunbathing, or engaging in active recreation—without increasing the risk of complications.
If complications occur while abroad, the patient may receive medical care that differs significantly from standards in Poland. If a complication arises after returning and the patient is far from the surgeon who performed the operation, postoperative care can become more complex and potentially more expensive. Each of these scenarios can be very stressful and should be factored into the decision about where to receive treatment.
Additionally, by the time the return trip comes, recovery will likely not be complete. Traveling with healing wounds—often in an uncomfortable position, among strangers, with increased exposure to infections—can be very uncomfortable and sometimes risky. Long flights may also raise the risk of life-threatening complications, such as blood clots and pulmonary embolism.
Postoperative care
Postoperative care is a crucial part of recovery. Most aftercare—such as dressing changes, suture removal, healing monitoring, and outpatient treatments—may be necessary for many weeks, long after the “holiday” is over. Additional medications may also be required, such as anticoagulants, antibiotics, pain relievers, or laxatives. Without this basic support from the treating center, a patient will need to seek additional medical care, which can cause significant emotional stress and, at times, considerable costs.
Some medical issues can arise years after the original procedure, so having complete documentation is important as a precaution. We are aware that patients treated abroad sometimes do not receive such records. For the patient’s safety, it is also essential to ensure that all documents can be translated, so the patient retains a full, accessible record of their treatment.
Lack of insurance
Travel insurance can help you avoid costly medical bills, treatment delays, and excessive stress if you suddenly need medical care. However, most travel policies do not cover elective (planned) surgeries. This means you may not be insured if something goes wrong as a result of planned gender-affirming surgery abroad.
If a serious complication occurs while you’re abroad, you may need to extend your stay and delay travel by days or even weeks—incurring additional accommodation and living costs. If you’re considering surgery outside your home country, it’s important to inform your insurer and confirm how this may affect your ability to use your insurance in these scenarios.