LEESBURG, VA, Jun 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –A recent study conducted by treatmentabroad.com reveals medicaltourism for a range of procedures is on the rise as patients striveto save on the cost of the procedure in their own country or avoidwaiting lists. however, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. BehzadParva says he urges his Virginia plastic surgery patients to exerciseextreme caution when considering a procedure outside of the US asincreased costs and unknown risks can surface.
Whether his patients are considering a procedure such as the MommyMakeover or breast augmentation, Dr. Parva says medical tourism canhave its benefits, but only if everything proceeds exactly asplanned. when undergoing a surgical procedure for cosmetic orreconstructive enhancement, a number of variables already existwithout further complicating the situation by leaving the US for acountry with different regulations and standards. Additionally, lackof familiarity with the area and language can pose unexpectedchallenges to patients. Dr. Parva says a variety of risks exist thatare potentially not considered by a patient and could not only putthem in harm’s way, but also wind up costing more money than theyoriginally anticipated.
“The primary driving force for people seeking plastic surgery outsidethe United States is economics. I try to understand a person’smotivations so I can better counsel them and provide information thatthey may not have considered. if they know a Plastic Surgeon who iscertified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member ofASPS, then they have addressed the first major hurdle. Otherconsiderations, however, that may be very difficult to verifyinclude: quality of the surgical facility and anesthesia and devicesand products used may not meet U.S. standards. it is also welldocumented that travel combined with surgery significantly increasesrisk of complications. Additionally, follow-up care may be difficultand costly.”
one main reason to proceed with caution, the Virginia plastic surgeonstresses, is the differences in quality control and regulations. Hesays validating the level of experience and technique a surgeonpossesses, as well as the standards of care in other countries, canbe difficult. in the US, he recommends consulting with a plasticsurgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery,as this is the only way to ensure they have satisfied the rigorouseducation and ongoing training requirements of the certificationprocess.
Additionally, Dr. Parva says complications may arise during theprocedure or post-op recovery period, requiring extra hardships suchas extended care and hospital bills, changes to the original agendaresulting in added fees, and finding a surgeon that is willing totake on the post op care for a patient returning from an overseasprocedure. when he weighs the advantages and disadvantages of medicaltourism during a patient consultation, his patients begin to betterunderstand the process and inherent risks. however, if patients dodecide to travel abroad for a procedure such as tummy tuck, breastlift or breast reconstruction, he offers a set of guidelines toconsider before doing so:
— Establish a relationship with the board-certified surgeon before finalizing the trip — Meet with the surgeon and tour the facilities before undergoing the procedure — Verify the surgeon has specific training in the planned procedure(s) — know the regulations and standards of the country you are planning to have surgery — Verify the type of liability insurance the physician holds — Review the laws regarding medical malpractice and insurance coverage
As with any medical procedure, Dr. Parva reiterates the importance ofhaving the proper credentials and qualifications, as well as havingthe extensive experience with patients and the formation ofindividualized treatments to ensure patient expectations are met withquality results. “My priority for our patients is their safety andhigh quality care. Decisions have consequences and carry risk.Cosmetic surgery is real surgery and involves risk even in the bestof hands. so the best I can do for my patients is to provide accurateinformation and be very real with them. Insist that they do thehomework and weigh all the costs and risks before embarking onmedical care outside the U.S. we are extremely fortunate that theUnited States still continues to offer the best medical care in theworld.”
about Behzad Parva, MD
after earning his medical degree from the Temple University School ofMedicine, Dr. Behzad Parva completed his General Surgery Residency atTemple University and his Plastic Surgery Residency at IndianaUniversity Medical Center. he is certified by the American Board ofPlastic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of PlasticSurgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Parva Plastic Surgery is located at 224-D Cornwall St. NW Ste. 300,Leesburg, VA 20176, and can be reached at (703) 777-7477. Dr. Parvaand his team can also be found online at www.parvaplasticsurgery.com and the Leesburg VA Plastic Surgery Facebook page.
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SOURCE: Parva Plastic Surgery
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