Pretty in Prague: Medical Tourism in the Czech Republic

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Despite High Plastic Surgery Prices, Britons Go Under the Knife

UK newspaper the Guardian is reporting that market analysts have projected that 2008 will be a record breaking year for plastic surgery in the UK.  “As a nation, we are clearly becoming less squeamish about going under the knife,” said Alexandra Richmond, market research firm Mintel’s senior cosmetic analyst.  The number of procedures and treatments has almost doubled since 2005 as Britons become more comfortable going to a clinic or hospital to enhance their looks.   

Many patients are seeking treatments that are non-surgical.  This year alone, 472,000 non-surgical procedures were performed every day in the UK.  The plastic surgery prices for non-surgical procedures can be high because of the need to go back for regular maintenance.  The cost of dermabrasion or Botox might be low, but the cost adds up over time.  The total cost of non-surgical procedures (dermabrasion, laser teeth whitening, chemical peels, collagen injections, etc.) for Britons in 2007 was a remarkable £302 million. Non-invasive procedures like these had the highest increase in popularity of all procedures in 2007. 

Britons Spent £100 Million on Medical Tourism Trips

The Times Online reports that as plastic surgery becomes more popular, Britons increasingly choose to travel abroad in search of low plastic surgery prices.  About 30,000 patients travel every year for treatment on medical tourism vacations, a third of whom receive plastic surgery.  The total amount spent abroad is around £100 million, only two-thirds less than the amount spent by Britons inside their own country for cosmetic surgery.   

The Czech Republic:  Popular Destination for Cosmetic Surgery

The BBC reports that the Czech Republic is not being flooded with tourists seeking medical treatment because doctors are not advertising their services, according to the country’s health ministry.  However, word of mouth has created high demand for Czech plastic surgery.  According to the BBC, Czech surgeons are regarded as very talented and plastic surgery prices are low.  As plastic surgery prices continue to rise in the UK, expect to see a greater influx of Britons into the Eastern Bloc in search of affordable care that doesn’t sacrifice on quality or service.