The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Cosmetic Surgery Tourism: India, Hungary, and now . . . the U.S.? - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Wall Street Journal reports that Europeans, who have spearheaded the cosmetic surgery tourism movement, are considering taking their vacations here in the United States. Why?

The United States has always been seen as the home of top-notch cosmetic surgeons. With our celebrity-driven and appearance-obsessed culture, demand has inspired some of the best doctors to choose cosmetic surgery over other specialties. The results are eyed enviously by many Europeans, but in the past, only the super-rich considered coming across the water to have their face lifts or breast augmentations because the relative cost of the procedure was much higher in the United States.

Nowadays, though, the weak dollar has changed the entire cost equation. The dollar has lost 24 % of its value against the euro, and 11 % of its value against the British pound in the past three years. With that change in the exchange rate, the cost begins to be less of an issue, and the quality of work tips the balance. The president of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says that the United States has always been a center for cosmetic surgery because of its quality. Now that the cost has become comparable, many patients are considering coming to the United States to have their work done by an internationally-recognized specialist rather than a surgeon in their own country.

Cosmetic surgeons are welcoming the influx of customers, which can partly serve to stem the ebb of patients as a result of the weakening domestic economy.

If you are interested in world-class results, contact The Centre, P.C. today for a consultation.