{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T03:02:09Z","timestamp":1792638129370,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]],"date-time":"2026-03-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773100800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/pages\/standard-publication-reuse-rights"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,15]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Cosmetic surgery tourism has increased rapidly, with growing numbers of UK patients returning with complications requiring National Health Service (NHS) care. Limited regulation and inconsistent perioperative standards contribute to preventable harm.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The aim of this study was to characterize the nature, severity, and causes of complications from overseas cosmetic surgery and estimate the resulting burden on the NHS.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A national retrospective study analyzed all 198 cases reported to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) Cosmetic Tourism Complications Database between September 2022 and September 2024. Demographic, procedural, and clinical data were examined, and complications were graded using the BAAPS 5-stage classification.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Patients were predominantly female (93%) with a mean age of 39 years; 76% had surgery in Turkey. Abdominoplasty (45%) was the most common procedure, followed by breast and liposuction surgeries. Frequent complications included wound dehiscence (37%), infection (28%), seroma (24%), and tissue necrosis (20%). Nearly half (48%) required operative management under general anesthesia, 28% minor procedures, and 4% intensive care; 1 death occurred from pulmonary embolism. Thematic analysis identified inadequate aftercare (21%), poor preoperative optimization (12%), and premature air travel (5%) as recurrent contributory factors. Estimated NHS treatment costs (\u00a35883-\u00a39328 per patient) equated to \u00a31.2 to \u00a31.8 million over 2 years.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Cosmetic surgery tourism poses a substantial clinical and financial challenge for the NHS. A multilevel harm-reduction strategy\u2014encompassing patient education, complication insurance, international accreditation, and data surveillance\u2014is essential to improve safety and reduce preventable harm.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjag056","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]],"date-time":"2026-03-09T12:20:50Z","timestamp":1773058850000},"page":"1177-1183","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Beauty Abroad, Burden at Home: Complications and National Health Service Impact of Cosmetic Tourism\u2014Insights From the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons National Database"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"46","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2298-6707","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mohammad R","family":"Goodarzi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nora F","family":"Nugent","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marc D","family":"Pacifico","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael","family":"Tyler","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"James E T","family":"Wokes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"tay042","DOI":"10.1093\/jtm\/tay042","article-title":"Medical tourism and cosmetic surgery: a systematic review of patient motivations, risk, and outcomes","volume":"25","author":"Pereira","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Travel Med"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B2","volume-title":"Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Treatment Type","author":"Grand View Research","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2011.07.027","article-title":"The unwritten price of cosmetic tourism: an observational study and cost analysis","volume":"65","author":"Miyagi","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"339","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surge.2021.12.007","article-title":"An analysis of the cost and impact of cosmetic tourism and its associated complications: a multi institutional study","volume":"20","author":"Rafeh","year":"2022","journal-title":"Surgeon"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B5","author":"Advertising Standards Authority"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B6","volume-title":"Enforcement Notice Issued to Non-UK Cosmetic Surgery Providers to Tackle Irresponsible Ads","author":"Advertising Standards Authority","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B7","volume-title":"Advice Online: cosmetic Surgery","author":"Advertising Standards Authority","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B8","author":"British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B9","volume-title":"Cosmetic Surgery Abroad\u2014Patient Information","author":"British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B10","author":"British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qual Res Psychol"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"786","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjy338","article-title":"Surgical management of cosmetic surgery tourism-related complications: trends and cost impact on the NHS","volume":"39","author":"Thacoor","year":"2019","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"627","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjaa092","article-title":"Complications of cosmetic surgery tourism: case series and cost analysis","volume":"41","author":"Venditto","year":"2021","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"462","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2024.10.036","article-title":"The impact of cosmetic tourism across one year on an NHS breast surgery unit","volume":"99","author":"Ahari","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2025.01.017","article-title":"The rising NHS burden from cosmetic surgery procedures performed abroad and non-surgical procedures performed in the United Kingdom","volume":"102","author":"Whiteman","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"474","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjw198","article-title":"Complications after cosmetic surgery tourism","volume":"37","author":"Klein","year":"2017","journal-title":"Aesthetic Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"517e","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000004214","article-title":"Plastic surgery complications from medical tourism treated in a U.S. academic medical center","volume":"141","author":"Ross","year":"2018","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"524e","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000004215","article-title":"Discussion: plastic surgery complications from medical tourism treated in a U.S. academic medical center","volume":"141","author":"Nasser","year":"2018","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surge.2024.04.012","article-title":"The cost of cosmetic surgery tourism complications to the NHS: a retrospective analysis","volume":"22","author":"Roberts","year":"2024","journal-title":"Surgeon"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B20","volume-title":"Global Survey 2022 Full Report and Press Releases","author":"International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)","year":"2022"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e5486","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000005486","article-title":"Practice profile of practicing plastic surgeons: a 20-year review of plastic surgery statistics","volume":"11","author":"Gutowski","year":"2023","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"597e","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000001700","article-title":"Abdominoplasty: risk factors, complication rates, and safety of combined procedures","volume":"136","author":"Winocour","year":"2015","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B23","volume-title":"The Bottom Line","author":"BAAPS","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2281","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000002281","article-title":"Complications of cosmetic surgery abroad: cost analysis and patient perception","volume":"7","author":"Farid","year":"2019","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1270","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000008599","article-title":"Safety comparison of abdominoplasty and Brazilian butt lift: what the literature tells us","volume":"148","author":"Del Vecchio","year":"2021","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"NP263","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjad377","article-title":"Augmented safety profile of ultrasound-guided gluteal fat transfer: retrospective study with 1815 patients","volume":"44","author":"Vidal-Laureano","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B27","author":"American Society of Plastic Surgeons"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1295","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjad142","article-title":"Static injection, migration, and equalization (SIME): a new paradigm for safe ultrasound-guided Brazilian butt lift: safer, faster, better","volume":"43","author":"Pazmi\u00f1o","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B29","author":"British Medical Association"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"675","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjac316","article-title":"The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) gluteal fat grafting safety review and recommendations","volume":"43","author":"Tillo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.52214\/vib.v8i.9894","article-title":"The expansion of Turkey's medical tourism industry","volume":"8","author":"Pirzada","year":"2022","journal-title":"Voices Bioeth"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"ojad113","DOI":"10.1093\/asjof\/ojad113","article-title":"Plastic surgery tourism: complications, costs, and unnecessary spending?","volume":"6","author":"Hery","year":"2023","journal-title":"Aesthet Surg J Open Forum"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3914","DOI":"10.1007\/s00266-024-04117-8","article-title":"Aesthetic surgery tourism: an opportunity or a danger?","volume":"48","author":"Budini","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aesthetic Plast Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B34","volume-title":"Teeth, Boobs or Bum\u201d: Turkey's Surgeons are Here to Sell you a Solution","author":"The Times","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B35","volume-title":"Cosmetic Tourism\u2014Patient Safety Information","author":"BAAPS","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1912","DOI":"10.1007\/s00266-021-02183-w","article-title":"The ever-present costs of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism: a 5-year observational study","volume":"45","author":"Henry","year":"2021","journal-title":"Aesthetic Plast Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B37","volume-title":"Think Over Before You Make Over","author":"BAPRAS","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B38","author":"BAAPS & TSPRAS"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B39","volume-title":"Government Works with TikTok to Help Safety for Treatments Abroad","author":"UK Government","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B40","volume-title":"In-hospital Abroad Guidance","author":"UK Government","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B41","author":"Griffiths"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B42","volume-title":"Medical Tourism: A Snapshot of Evidence on Treatment Abroad","author":"Lunt","year":"2011"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B43","author":"American Medical Association"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2024.11.044","article-title":"The NHS burden of cosmetic tourism complications: enhancing data quality for effective patient management","volume":"100","author":"Karamitros","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B45","volume-title":"Cosmetic Tourism Guidelines","author":"BAAPS","year":"2023"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B46","volume-title":"The JCI Advantage: A Global Leader in Health Care Accreditation","author":"Joint Commission International","year":"2025"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B47","volume-title":"ISAPS Safety Diamond: Four Critical Factors for Safe Aesthetic Plastic Surgery","author":"International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery","year":"2022"},{"key":"2026101419570268300_sjag056-B48","volume-title":"Groups Unite to Combat Medical Complications of Cosmetic Tourism","author":"Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)","year":"2024"}],"container-title":["Aesthetic Surgery Journal"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/asj\/advance-article-pdf\/doi\/10.1093\/asj\/sjag056\/67288568\/sjag056.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"am","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/asj\/article-pdf\/46\/11\/1177\/67288568\/sjag056.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/asj\/article-pdf\/46\/11\/1177\/67288568\/sjag056.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,14]],"date-time":"2026-10-14T23:57:14Z","timestamp":1792022234000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/asj\/article\/46\/11\/1177\/8513013"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,15]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/asj\/sjag056","relation":{},"ISSN":["1090-820X","1527-330X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1090-820X","type":"print"},{"value":"1527-330X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published-other":{"date-parts":[[2026,11]]},"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]]}}}