Plastic Surgery for the Alpha Male: the Advantages of Medical Travel

Medical Tourism for Elective Procedures

According to diversitybusiness.com, men are becoming increasingly interested in cosmetic surgery procedures.  Their report cites the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which acknowledged that the industry has seen a 60% increase in male patients seeking elective surgery in 2005.  The AAFPRS also found that 22% of male patients cite job-related reasons for such surgery.  Diversitybusiness.com claims “Eyelid surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures among men, requested to provide a more youthful, less tired appearance.”  The cost of looking good doesn’t come cheap, though.  The total cost of eyelid surgeries performed in the United States amounted to seven hundred million dollars in 2003.  However, these high price tags have not deterred patients from seeking elective procedures.  With medical tourism gaining popularity with every passing year, patients look forward to the world of benefits that medical travel provide. 

Welcome to the Philippines

While traveling to another country to cover the cost of eyelid surgery may seem a bit extreme, many find the bonus of a health vacation to be too good to pass up.  A country like the Philippines offers many advantages to medical tourists, including English-speaking staff, low prices, and gorgeous sandy, white beaches.  As with all foreign countries, it is imperative to check the qualifications of the surgeon and the credentials of the hospital before leaving home.  This not only help you avoid disappointment but it also reduces the risk of losing any applicable deposits not to mention the last-minute hassle of finding an acceptable medical service provider before the end of the trip.  As the above plastic surgeons’ resource rightly pointed out, “The most important factor to consider when choosing an eyelid surgeon is not the cost of eyelid surgery but rather the quality of the doctor.  Every patient deserves a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon that puts their best interests first.”  In the Philippines, for example, discerning patients could ensure that their surgeon is certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only certification authority for plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Philippines.