Is Overseas Cosmetic Surgery Worth the Risk?

Thanks to increased affordability, higher standards, and the positive experiences of celebrities and influencers all over the world, cosmetic surgery is more popular than it’s ever been. And now with Covid restrictions being lifted across all of Europe, travel for cosmetic surgery is once again a big trend. But is overseas cosmetics surgery worth the risk?

Photo: Latvian Microsurgery Center

Best place for plastic surgery abroad?

When it comes to the best place for plastic surgery abroad, many of the most popular destinations require long haul travel. The country with the most plastic surgery procedures per capita (and the most plastic surgery surgeons) is Brazil so, naturally, the South American country offers anyone wishing to have plastic surgery abroad great options. Other popular foreign destinations for plastic surgery include Mexico, Japan and India. 

Closer to home, top European destinations for plastic surgery abroad include Italy and Latvia, offering top class private surgery just a short plane journey away

Why do people choose to go abroad for surgery?

You might ask yourself, why do so many people travel abroad for plastic surgery rather than having treatment in their own country? Well, there are several important reasons for this:

Skipping waiting lists

At any given time, tens of thousands of men and women are waiting for plastic surgery in each of the biggest European countries. This often equates to 12-18 months of waiting lists before it’s possible to be treated. Consequently, many wise-minded individuals recognise the opportunity to skip the waiting lists and receive the treatment they so desire in Latvia, at the time of their choosing and without delay. 

Price savings

Choosing to have plastic surgery abroad can save you thousands of euros. Plastic surgery in Latvia is typically 50-70 percent cheaper than in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

Top surgeons and technology

Countries such as Latvia offer the latest cutting edge technologies combined with the highest international standards of medical professionals.

Covid restrictions lifted

With Covid restrictions lifted and things returning to how they were two years ago, now is the perfect time to travel abroad for plastic surgery treatment. 

Combine your medical trip with tourism and rehab

Not only is Latvia one of the greenest countries in the world and one of the least densely populated but Latvia also enjoys four distinct seasons, boasts pristine forests, lakes and coastline, has its own unique culture, and is home to the UNESCO world heritage jewel, Riga. Combining plastic surgery with a short holiday in this beautiful Baltic country is extremely popular. And it’s also a fantastic place to spend time recovering from procedures. 

Fluent English speakers

If you’re put off by the idea of having plastic surgery abroad because of a perceived language barrier, then the good news is that in Latvia all the medical professionals you will come into contact with for your treatment are fluent English speakers.

Is it really worth the risk?

Combining safety, privacy, and the highest standards of technology and surgery, travelling to Latvia for plastic surgery is a fantastic option that will also save you time and money.  

What makes Healthtravellatvia.lv different?

With more than 30 years of experience in offering high quality affordable plastic surgery to foreign visitors, Latvian Health Tourism Cluster is a cut above the rest. Cluster –  healthtravellatvia.lv is a group of Latvia’s leading private and state establishments adhering to EU quality standards that together provide a full set of services to meet the needs of medical tourists.

Medical tourism in Latvia, how can we help You? (with subtitles)

Cosmetic surgeries & procedures

Health Travel Latvia offers a wide range of plastic surgery including eyelid surgery, breast correction procedures, liposuction, nose plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery and abdominoplasty. Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures, while abdominoplasty – better known as a ‘tummy tuck’ – is in very high demand.

Photo: Latvian Microsurgery Center

Patient reviews

Jacqueline Otis, Canada

I had upper eyelid surgery. I am very happy with the treatments I received. I was treated like a five-star client. You come in and you’re very well looked after. No complaints whatsoever. 

Everything was explained to me on multiple occasions to make sure that I had a clear understanding. The ability to text or email the nurses and doctors directly was something I’ve never experienced in my life but it’s absolutely incredible. And feeling absolutely whatever your question is whether it’s a minor issue or something major you’re concerned about, you get the answers very quickly.

Customer service is outstanding. Appointments were very quickly arranged after request. 

I did have some initial concerns because I didn’t know Latvia very well. I wasn’t sure what the level of health care was here. Being from Canada I didn’t know much about public versus private because we have universal healthcare. Knowing what I know now that Latvia has a lot of private clinics available, it’s wonderful. 

It’s absolutely possible for me to compare between the prices in Latvia and Canada. For a treatment like I’ve had in Latvia, it is realistically less than half of the cost of Canada. And so the costs versus actual service quality, I’ve found, is much better here than it is in Canada. There’s no difference in service based on cost, just much less expensive here but also with better treatment.

Patient review of BLEPHAROPLASTY (eyelid surgery) in Latvia, 2020