Tuesday, August 6, 2024

A plastic surgery expo in London has prompted serious concern among UK health professionals, who warn it exposes patients to the growing dangers of unregulated cosmetic tourism. Held at the QEII Centre, the event featured dozens of exhibitors promoting package deals for procedures abroad—especially in Turkey—ranging from weight loss surgeries to Brazilian butt lifts.

While these offers appeal to cost-conscious consumers, medical experts say the risks are too often hidden. Consultant plastic surgeon Mark Soldin, based at St George’s Hospital in London, sees the consequences firsthand. “I treat around one patient a week suffering complications from surgery performed overseas,” he says. “The marketing can be incredibly persuasive—but it’s often profit-driven and lacks transparency.”

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reports a 94% rise in UK patients needing hospital treatment after surgery abroad over the past few years, with the average NHS cost per case around £15,000. Some of the worst outcomes include infections, poor surgical technique, and even death—six Britons died in Turkey last year after cosmetic procedures.

Despite this, the expo and others like it operate with little oversight. UK regulators including the GMC, MHRA, and ASA have no jurisdiction over such events, leaving a grey area in which companies can aggressively market medical services without clear accountability. BAAPS president Marc Pacifico called the regulatory gap “remarkable,” warning that patient safety is falling through the cracks.

Soldin and other leading clinicians are calling for government intervention to tighten rules around how surgeries are promoted, especially at live events. Until then, they stress the importance of public awareness. “People deserve to make informed choices,” says Soldin. “Without regulation, too many are being misled—and paying the price with their health.”