Medical tourism is a booming industry, with thousands of Australians travelling overseas every year to undergo cosmetic and medical procedures to save money or bypass long waitlists. If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of travelling overseas for some nip and tuck, here’s what you should know.

David Allen is the founder of Asthetica, an Australian and UK-owned and operated medical travel company, specialising in personalised cosmetic procedures with world-class surgeons and facilities.

I started Asthetica as I wanted a hair transplant. Money wasn’t an issue for me, but quality and outcome were. I know Turkey is the global leader in hair transplants, so after much research, I flew there and quickly realised I had been lied to.

It became apparent that those who spend the most on marketing are not the best when it comes to quality of outcome or experience. So, I set up Asthetica to give Australians access to high-quality surgery at an affordable price and then wrap this up into an affordable luxury holiday so that our clients can rest and recover and come home looking fabulous.

How do cosmetic surgery holidays work?

Medical tourism is a huge industry and growing rapidly in Australia. Clients travel overseas to countries where the lower economic costs give them access to highly skilled surgeons at a fraction of the price. That’s the good part. The tricky bit is how do you know the company you’re entrusting with your looks is up to standard?

That’s where companies like Asthetica come in. As an Australian-owned business we adhere to high standards, our clients deal with people who are culturally aligned and have vetted key hospital partners in order to minimise risk. This is then bundled into a turnkey solution, allowing the client to sit back and relax and feel confident they are in safe hands.

Why has medical tourism become so popular in Australia?

There are several key reasons driving this trend. First, affordability plays a huge role—Australians can save up to 70% on procedures abroad, even when factoring in flights and accommodation. Second, the high standard of care in countries like Turkey, combined with world-class facilities and highly experienced surgeons, makes it an attractive option. Lastly, the rise of Medical Tourism companies.

Unfortunately, with social media, reviews and likes can be bought. Using a company such as Asthetica who have spent a lot of time on the ground in Turkey to select key partners, this degree of transparency delivers the missing piece for ultimate confidence before travelling overseas.

Is cosmetic medical tourism more popular with men or women?

Women have traditionally led the way in cosmetic tourism, but more men are now seeing the benefits too. At Asthetica, we’ve noticed a significant increase in male clients, especially for facelifts, eyelid surgery, and hair transplants. The stigma around male cosmetic surgery is fading rapidly, and men are just as eager to look younger and feel their best.

How does a cosmetic surgery holiday work?

A cosmetic surgery holiday is designed to be a seamless experience from start to finish. With Asthetica, the process begins with an online consultation where clients discuss their goals and medical history with our experts. Once a procedure is selected, we arrange everything—including flights, luxury accommodation, private transfers, and pre-surgery consultations. We only work with hospitals that are both ISO and JCI accredited which means clients can feel assured of the quality, approach and safety.

Clients are monitored throughout their recovery period. Post-surgery, patients can relax in a five-star setting while receiving dedicated aftercare before flying home. We also provide shopping guides, places to go to eat and private tour guides, allowing them to make the most of their trip and experience the incredible sights that Istanbul has to offer.

What surgeries are available?

We offer all cosmetic procedures including facelifts, eyebrow transplants, rhinoplasty, lipo and dental, as well as pre-wedding makeovers and (ironically) divorcee packages. We also have another company called NoWaitSurgery.org which specialises in Stem cell treatment for Autism, IVF and organ transplants.

What’s the best country for getting plastic surgery?

Prior to COVID we had partnerships with several countries, however, the quality we get from our existing partners in Turkey delivered by far the best results. I would personally say that it is better than what I’ve seen in Australia or the UK.

Whilst South Korea ranks as the number one destination for off-shore surgery due to the Chinese market and low prices, we have not found the quality to be up to our standards. Equally, Thailand is a natural go-to for Australians, but as we remind clients considering Thailand, we are talking about the way you look and your confidence, why cut corners?

We would have a lot more clients if we worked with Thai hospitals, but I got into this business to change lives for the better and my test for any hospital we work with is, ‘Would I send my family here’, which is again why we only work with the select partners we have in Turkey and don’t work with facilities in Thailand, India, Sth Korea, South America.

Which country is the cheapest for cosmetic surgery?

While cost is a significant factor, the cheapest option isn’t always the best choice. Countries like Thailand, Mexico, South Korea and Brazil offer very cheap prices, but what sets Turkey apart is the combination of affordability with medical excellence.

Asthetica ensures clients receive the highest standards of care while still benefiting from significant savings. We would not feel comfortable trading cost for quality.

How soon after cosmetic surgery can I fly?

This depends on the type of procedure. For minor surgeries such as hair transplants, eyebrow transplants etc clients can fly within 48 hours, however, we always try to encourage clients to stay longer, relax and explore so that they are not putting their body under unnecessary strain.

However, for more intensive procedures like facelifts or tummy tucks, we generally recommend staying for at least 7-10 days to ensure proper healing. Safety is always our priority, and we tailor recovery plans to each individual. Clients must be signed off by the doctor prior to travel.

What are the risks?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved, including infection, complications from anaesthesia and unsatisfactory results. This is why choosing an accredited provider like Asthetica is crucial. We only work with highly qualified surgeons and ensure rigorous pre-op assessments, state-of-the-art hospital facilities, and continuous post-operative care to minimise risks.

What are the benefits?

Beyond the cost savings, patients benefit from access to some of the world’s best surgeons, recovering in private luxury, for example, we recently had a very wealthy client from Monte Carlo, she came to us through a recommendation and her primary goal wasn’t price, but privacy and personalised care.

A lot of our clients like to recover away from family, nosy neighbours or the Deliveroo guy and return home when they are feeling relaxed and refreshed without drawing attention to the recovery process. Plus, combining surgery with a relaxing getaway helps with healing and reduces the risk of damage as you’re not tempted to do all those odd jobs at home and instead can relax carefree.

For anyone considering a cosmetic surgery holiday, research and preparation are key. With Asthetica, clients can feel confident knowing they are in expert hands from consultation to recovery.
For more information head to Asthetica to book a free 20- minute consultation.

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Are you considering medical tourism, or do you know someone who’s experienced it? Share your thoughts below.