World's Leading Plastic Surgery Society Releases First-Ever International Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Tourists

World's Leading Plastic Surgery Society Releases First-Ever International Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Tourists

June 12, 2006

    NEW YORK, June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS),
representing nearly 1,500 of the world's leading board
certified aesthetic plastic surgeons in 73 countries has
launched its new website with the publication of the first
ever comprehensive international guidelines for consumers
traveling for plastic surgery procedures -- commonly
referred to as Plastic Surgery Tourism. 
http://www.isaps.org 

    The ISAPS guidelines, in development for nearly one
year, reflect a growing consumer trend and were created to
address the thousands of inquiries ISAPS has received from
consumers, medical professionals, the media and
governmental organizations. 

    Dr. Joao Carlos Sampaio Goes of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the
current President of ISAPS, championed these breakthrough
guidelines as well as the new ISAPS website.
"Consumers around the world have looked to ISAPS for
over 30 years for the most accurate and reliable
information about qualified plastic surgeons and advice
about up-to-the-minute procedures.  Now, for the first
time, there is a worldwide standard for consumers to
reference when traveling for aesthetic plastic
surgery." 

    The Guidelines were developed under the direction of
American plastic surgeon, Dr. Malcolm Paul, Clinical
Professor of Surgery, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery
Institute, University of California, Irvine. "These 
easy-to-understand recommendations are the absolute first
stop before anyone should consider traveling from home for
plastic surgery," noted Dr. Paul.
    
    Here are some of the key guidelines for plastic surgery
travelers:

    1. What is the surgeon's training?  A gynecologist
performing a breast augmentation or a dermatologist doing a
face lift are not appropriate choices.

    2. Is the plastic surgeon certified? The ISAPS website
lists the names and addresses of nearly 1,500 certified
plastic surgeons in 73 countries.
    3. Is the surgery center or clinic certified? Ask for
certification information and who the certifying body is.

    4. Does your personal health insurance cover you
outside your country? Most health insurance providers do
not cover individuals for surgery performed outside their
own country. Consider obtaining extra coverage.

    5. What about aftercare? Patients should stay in the
area where the surgery was performed for at least one week,
depending on the procedure. Find out in advance where you
will stay and if this facility is prepared to care for your
post operative needs. 

    6. What about complications? What doctor will care for
you at home if you have complications and, who will pay for
secondary or revision procedures?

    7. Do the key personnel at the surgeon's office speak
your language fluently? If you cannot be understood fully,
be prepared for complications.

    8. With whom are you communicating? You should be
talking directly with the doctor's staff and the doctor. A
travel agent should only make travel and accommodations
arrangements.

    9. Is the surgeon a member of recognized national and
international societies? ISAPS membership is by invitation
and is granted only after extensive screening. 

   10. Have you checked for references? Ask for names and
contact information of patients who have recently had a
similar procedure and contact them about their experience
with the surgeon, their staff, aftercare facilities and
post-operative follow up. 

    Commenting on the new ISAPS website, ISAPS
president-elect Dr. Bryan C. Mendelson of Melbourne
Australia, remarked, "Information that was once only
available to a few is now readily accessible to consumers
in virtually every country. The ISAPS guidelines for
plastic surgery travelers provide consumers with vital and
perhaps even life-saving yardsticks to gage if the doctor
they choose for their plastic surgery is appropriately
trained and certified for the procedure they are
considering." 

    We appreciate your including the ISAPS website as a
reference. 

    To obtain complete information:  http://www.isaps.org

    EDITORS' ADVISORY:  

    For media covering this story, contact us to reach an
ISAPS spokesperson in your country.  Please let us know if
you are on deadline.  Contact Tony Staffieri at
[e-mail]. 
 
    The ISAPS Biennial Congress takes place in Rio de
Janeiro on August 1-5, 2006. To attend the Congress, media
credentials must be issued in advance. To attend, receive
updates from the Congress, and/or to be added to the ISAPS
permanent media list for regular updates and advisories,
kindly contact: Tony Staffieri at
[e-mail]. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Tony Staffieri 
     The International Society 
     Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ISAPS)