The author presents an interesting and thought-provoking case study, describing the risks of undergoing non-surgical procedures overseas. The account describes the journey of an individual who sought treatment with a dermal filler on the basis of a ‘weekend experience’ in Poland, and subsequently experienced complications following the procedure, requiring revision surgery as well as emotional and psychological support. Post procedure care was unavailable and the patient was faced with the isolation and challenges of language barriers as well as unanswered emails and text messages from the clinic where the treatment had taken place. The piece instills key messages to non-surgical practitioners by identifying some of the complex litigation that arises from claims when complications do occur, particularly abroad, reinforcing the vulnerability of those who seek cosmetic treatments. This is a useful case study to reinforce the message to non-surgical practitioners to proceed with caution, especially with patients attending for consultation who have received dermal filler treatments at other premises. As the author implies, patients may present for assessment who have encountered serious complications from undergoing treatment elsewhere. The article highlights the challenge of managing such complex medical and legal clinical cases, as well as the importance of timely specialist referral in circumstances where the level of cosmetic specialist intervention required, exceeds the expertise of the practitioner.
The pitfalls of having cosmetic procedures abroad
Reviewed by Anna Baker
A case study showing the pitfalls of having cosmetic procedures abroad.
