Why Thailand is a Popular Destination for Cosmetic Surgery
Thailand has been a top tourist destination for decades, but did you know that it’s also one of the top destinations for cosmetic surgeries, not just in Asia, but the world? Besides the beautiful landscape and breathtaking beaches, Thailand has great quality healthcare at reasonable prices compared to most other western countries.
Every year, Thailand attracts more than 2 million medical tourists who flock to the kingdom seeking a variety of treatments and procedures, ranging from breast augmentation to rhinoplasties.
Besides the excellent service that Thailand’s healthcare industry provides, another reason it attracts so many medical tourists is that the Thai baht is weak against most western currencies. This immediately translates to more affordable cosmetic procedures for those coming from America and Europe.
Thailand also boasts a large contingent of medical professionals who, in large part, trained and studied in western medical institutions. Beyond the highly trained and skilled doctors and surgeons, private hospitals in Thailand invest heavily in the latest medical technologies and techniques.
Here are some cosmetic surgeries that are popular in Thailand:
Breast Augmentation
Colloquially known as a ‘boob job’, an augmentation mammoplasty is one of the more popular procedures for medical tourists. This surgery increases breast size and involves placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. Most women seek breast augmentation to boost their self-confidence or to rebuild a breast lost due to cancer. Surgery can also be done to minimize back pain and to correct breast size after significant weight loss.
However, there are some risks associated with breast augmentation, and they are:
- Scar tissue that can distort the shape of the breast implant
- Breast pain
- Infection
- Changes in nipple and breast sensitivity
- Implant misalignment
- Implant rupture
How It’s Done
Breast augmentations are usually day surgeries where you get to go home on the same day. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthetic.
The surgeon will either make an incision under your arm, on the crease under your breasts, or around your nipple. Once an incision is made, the surgeon will separate the breast tissue from the muscles and connective tissue of your chest. This will create a pocket on your chest wall. Once this is done, the surgeon will insert the implant and center it behind your nipple. For saline implants, the surgeon will insert the implant first before filling it with sterile salt water to the desired size. Silicone implants are inserted already filled with silicone gel. After the implants are in place, the surgeon will close the incision and bandage it.
Some swelling and soreness can be expected for a few weeks after surgery. Bruising is common as well, but it should fade over time. The scars from the incision will heal over time and become less visible, though they won’t disappear completely.
Rhinoplasty
This is another common surgery that’s popular with both local and foreign patients. A rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose according to the patient’s preference. The surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons and also to improve breathing. The procedure can modify the bone, cartilage, or skin on the nose individually, or all three can be altered during the surgery.
The risks when performing a rhinoplasty are limited but include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Having an adverse reaction to the anesthetic
How It’s Done
Depending on the complexity of the surgery, a rhinoplasty is typically performed under local or general anesthetic. The surgeon will make an incision inside your nose or between the nostrils. This will allow the surgeon to readjust the bone and cartilage under your skin.
To change the shape of your nose, your surgeon will reclaim cartilage from other parts of your body, like your ear, deeper inside your nose, or your ribs. For more extreme surgeries, implants will be used instead. Once your surgeon is happy with the results, they will close the incision.
The surgeon will place dressings inside your nose for up to a week after surgery. They will also place a splint on your nose for protection and support. Recovery takes several weeks, but the final result can take as long as a year to be seen.
Liposuction
For some people, exercise isn’t enough to burn away body fat in certain areas of their bodies. That’s where liposuction is used to remove body fat. Fat is removed from specific areas of the body like the abdomen, hips, arms, thighs or buttocks, and even the neck. This allows a surgeon to contour your body according to your preference.
However, there are risks associated with liposuction, these include:
- Due to the uneven fat distribution, your skin may appear wavy from the fat being removed or poor skin elasticity. Damage under the skin can be caused by the thin tube that surgeons use to remove the body fat. Some of these side effects can be permanent.
- Fluid can accumulate in certain areas of the body due to the fat being removed, and it can form pockets under the skin.
- There is a risk of nerve damage that might be temporary or become permanent.
- In certain cases, the thin tube used by the surgeon could puncture an internal organ. This can be life-threatening.
How It’s Done
Before the procedure, your surgeon will mark areas where you would like fat removed. Depending on where these areas are, you could be put under local or general anesthetic. Once you’re fully under, the surgeon will insert the thin needle known as the cannula under your skin and start removing fat from your target areas.
Some pain, swelling, and bruising will be expected after the procedure. Your surgeon will prescribe painkillers to manage the pain and recovery will take from a few weeks, to several months.
Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic has a team of highly experienced surgeons who can bring your dream to reality with a safe and patient-centric approach. Contact us today to find out more about the cosmetic surgery we offer.
