Every summer, many Americans combine a vacation with a medical procedure in a foreign country — often cosmetic surgery, which can be less expensive than what U.S. doctors charge.

But experts warn that the cost savings of work done abroad can wind up costing you a bundle in terms of your health, welfare, and follow-up care.

If you decide to fly to South America, for instance, to have plastic surgery and spend some time vacationing and recuperating, you don’t necessarily know what you are getting into. And botched or poorly performed surgeries aren’t the only potential risk.

Dr. Andrew Miller, a plastic surgeon who practices in New Jersey and New York, tells Newsmax Health a common complication of cosmetic surgeries done out of the country is infection.

“The infection can be delayed a week or two weeks after surgery,” he explains. "The patient is back in the states and the wound may break down and create a big problem. If you come back and have trouble you’ll have a hard time finding a doctor to take care of it.

“The rules and regulations for practicing medicine are much stricter in the U.S. than in other countries. We also have high standards for sterilization. You may be going to a doctor’s office in South America and you don’t know what [his or her] credentials are. It is much easier to check background and certification in the U.S.”

Miller also notes that you can’t always trust a friend’s referral. That person may have had good results, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a positive experience. By one estimate, Brazil has 5,500 certified plastic surgeons, and another 12,000 doctors without specialized training doing cosmetic procedures. 

Brazil is known as the “nip/tuck capital of the world” and it has been a popular destination for people looking for affordable plastic surgery for decades.

“The risk is always there,” Miller says. “If you do some research and find out the doctor is certified and qualified, that helps, but don’t just go to someone because they are cheap.

You can’t let price dictate your decision. You also don’t want to have surgery in a doctor’s office only to find out that they don’t have privileges at a hospital.”

The temptation to go to South America is significant, when you consider the cost. Medical tourism websites claim that plastic surgery in South America may cost anywhere from 15 to 85 percent less than in the U.S. Most of these procedures — rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, and face lifts — cost thousands of dollars.

Patients should check, however, and make sure that fees include the surgeon’s costs, the hospital or surgical facility charges, anesthesia fees, prescriptions for medication, post-surgery garments, and medical tests.

Miller graduated with honors from Baylor College of Medicine and then completed a training program in head, neck, and facial plastic surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans. He is board-certified in facial plastics by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has staff privileges at John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Overlook Hospital.

He focuses on face lifts, rhinoplasty, body contouring, and breast surgery. Miller believes the complexity of the face, in particular, requires a specialist for the best care.

What kinds of things should you consider if you want to have plastic surgery – and might be tempted to do it in Brazil?

• Understand that travel plus surgery significantly increases the risk of complications, particularly pulmonary embolisms and blood clots.
• You may not be legally protected if you choose a surgeon outside of the US.  In other words, if surgical negligence occurs, there is nothing you can do to recoup your costs.
• If you need revision surgery after a trip to South America, the cost of that surgery might cost more than the initial operation. What looks like a bargain may cost more in the long run.
• Many South American clinics and hospital advertise that they have an English-speaking assistant, but if you aren’t fluent in Spanish or Portuguese you may feel that you are at a disadvantage.