D146. Aesthetic Tourism: The Real Cost of Discount Plastic Surgery

PURPOSE: Aesthetic surgery tourism is a popular option to save money on aesthetic procedures. This single-center retrospective study recorded outcomes in patients presenting with complications after traveling for aesthetic surgery. METHODS: Medical record numbers of patients presenting to Henry Ford Health (HFH) following aesthetic surgery tourism were obtained from providers. Retrospective data was compiled including surgery type, complications, number of emergency room (ER) visits, interventions, admission length of stay (LOS), patient charges, and hospital costs. RESULTS: From 2021 to 2024, 44 patients were seen by the Plastic Surgery team at HFH for complications following aesthetic surgery tourism. Of all patients, 25% had Brazilian butt lift (BBL), 54.5% abdominoplasty, 40.9% liposuction, 15.9% breast, 2.3% jaw surgery, and 2.3% buttock implant. Complications were infection (52.3%), pulmonary embolism (PE) (6.8%), seroma/fluid collection (S/F) (52.3%), abscess (18.2%), wound dehiscence (WD) (20.5%), and foreign body/retained suture/retained drain (misc) (6.8%). Average ER visits were 1.75. Average LOS was 3.16 days. Patients requiring operating room or bedside intervention was 25% and 61.4% respectively. Total hospital cost was $282,936.06, average per patient was $6,900.88. Total patient charges were $1,435,962.35, average per patient was $35,023.47. CONCLUSION: Aesthetic surgery tourism is more affordable for some patients short term, but the complications jeopardize patient safety and place an increasing financial burden on our healthcare system. It is crucial to educate patients on risks of traveling for aesthetic surgery. Potential interventions include education at pre-operative clearance appointments, providing options to consult a U.S. board-certified plastic surgeon before traveling, and increasing domestic regulations.