Text By Alison Hope

Once the preserve of Hollywood stars and ladies who lunch, cosmetic surgery has become increasingly acceptable in recent years, as more and more men and women go under the knife for elective procedures. There are now dedicated magazines featuring interviews with leading surgeons, and television programmes which follow patients into theatre, then follow up with them post-surgery, exploring how their procedure had changed their life. There are even exhibitions, where patients can have an initial consultation with a surgeon and find out more about the options open to them. While the idea of having a cosmetic procedure may be more acceptable now than ever before, the price of the operation may be the only factor holding the patient back. Patients from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and even North America are however overcoming this hurdle by travelling to Poland for their procedure, where a spot of nip and tuck can cost up to 60% less than at home.

Since joining the EU, Poland has emerged as a popular destination for cosmetic surgery. Initially, patients from Germany were driving across the border to take advantage of highly skilled surgeons operating in modern clinics equipped with the latest technologies, but as low-cost airlines increased the number of direct flights to Poland from other parts of Europe, clinics found that they were also welcoming patients from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia. Patients from North America, notably those with Polish roots, have also been known to travel to Poland for cosmetic surgery.

The fact that patients are jetting around Europe for procedures has not escaped the British media, with newspapers and magazines reporting on “Boob-Job Holidays”, as if the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is made on a whim. While it is easy to be sniffy about cosmetic surgery, and assume that every patient that goes under the knife is striving to achieve an unnatural Barbie doll physique, most patients are simply seeking to correct an aspect of their appearance that is making them unhappy, such as ears that protrude or a bump on the end of the nose. It is small imperfections like these that can have a devastating impact on the patient’s self-esteem, and this can have a knock-on effect on other aspects of their life. There can also be physical benefits to having surgery, for instance patients seeking breast reduction are often plagued by back pain which is eased following their procedure.

The decision to have cosmetic surgery is rarely one that is made lightly, and patients seeking a cosmetic procedure tend to spend time carefully researching their options. It is typically the case that patients travelling to another country for a procedure will be even more thorough in their research. There are many sources of information available to patients: As well as books, magazines and television programmes dedicated to cosmetic surgery, there are also websites and internet portals, where potential patients can chat to each other on forums and message boards, comparing different clinics and surgeons all over the world. Time spent researching cosmetic surgery in Poland is often worthwhile, as patients who travel to Poland for a procedure not only save money – in most cases, several thousand pounds – they are more likely to find themselves in the hands of some of Europe’s most skilled and experienced surgeons.

While there are no specific statistics that show the exact number of patients travelling to Poland for cosmetic surgery, individual clinics are reporting a definite increase in the number of patients that they are receiving from outside of Poland. “Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, we have noticed a significant increase in the number of patients that we receive from the United Kingdom and Ireland” says Monika Chomiuk of Artplastica Clinic in Szczecin, “the initial patients found our clinic though advertising in magazines or via the internet, though we are now receiving more and more patients as a result of the personal recommendation from delighted patients”. Chomiuk believes that patients from the United Kingdom and Ireland account for 60% of all patients, though she also points out that many Poles based in these countries are returning to Poland for surgery too. Evidence of the fact that Artplastica is receiving an increasing number of patients from outside of Poland can be found on the coffee table of the warm and cosy – yet spotlessly clean – lounge area of the clinic: a heavy, leather-bound book containing personal messages from patients starts off with messages of thanks and praise written in Poland and German, but as you flick through the pages to more recent dates, the messages are increasingly signed by patients are from towns and cities including Belfast, Nottingham, Bournemouth. Many pledge to recommend the clinic to friends and family.

Whatever the procedure, the decision to go under the knife should never be taken lightly. Speak to any surgeon, clinic representative or patient, and they will all insist that research is the most crucial part of arranging surgery in another country. If you have access to the internet, it is worth setting aside a couple of hours comparing different clinics, and what they have to offer. If you don’t have access to the internet at home, it is really worth seeing if you can get an internet connection at your local internet cafe or library and enlisting a friend or family member to help you navigate your way around the options available. Does a clinic’s website provide you with the information that you need? Is it easy to find out about the surgeon’s qualifications and experience? A good clinic will be upfront about the capabilities of its professionals. Be wary of a clinic that places a greater emphasis on the sight-seeing excursions that can be arranged for you over and above the skill and expertise of the surgeons.
Another great piece of advice is not to make any decisions based on price alone. Sometimes it is worth spending a little bit extra on seeing a more experienced surgeon, or in treatment at a clinic that has better facilities.

There are a number of specialist travel agents which can arrange everything – from introducing patient to the most suitable surgeon, to taking care of all travel arrangements. They are often on call while the patient is in Poland, whether he or she forgets to pack a mobile ‘phone charger or needs some bottled water and an English language newspaper to read during the recovery period. Some patients chose these services because they provide complete piece of mind, however more and more private clinics in Poland are appointing an English speaking member of staff who is dedicated to taking care of patients from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The next step is to get in contact with the clinic. Draw up a short-list of several clinics and also make a note of any specific questions that you would like to ask. Any clinic that provides vague, unclear responses, or tries to give you the hard sell on a package of procedures that you don’t really want should be crossed off your list. A good clinic will, on the other hand, respond to your questions with clear and concise answers and provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs involved – including blood tests, overnight accommodation in the clinic and surgical garments. Don’t be afraid to ask if a clinic can put you in contact with a previous patient, who can candidly tell you all about their experience and pass on any practical tips of their own.

It goes without saying that you should never commit to a procedure if you have any niggling doubts about the surgeon or the clinic. While surgeons can often make a fairly accurate assessment the procedure based on photographs of the patient, an initial consultation is always necessary. A good surgeon will always be thorough and understand the patient’s expectations, as well as be able to explain what is – and what is not – possible. The initial consultation can be carried out when the patient arrives in Poland for their procedure, though it is generally best if the patient can make an initial visit to Poland so that they can meet the surgeon and become familiar with the clinic before making the decision to go ahead with the procedure. As there are so many low-cost flights to Poland these days, this is not as extravagant as it sounds.
The recovery period is a crucial part of any procedure. There is always the temptation to fly home as soon as possible; however it is wise to factor in a couple of extra days’ stay in Poland – maybe longer depending on the procedure. Monika Chomiuk of Artplastica explains that patients are provided with a detailed list of post-operative instructions, which gives step by step instructions on how to change the dressings, the type of stitches that have been used, as well as other important details. Above all, rest is essential, especially in the days and even weeks after surgery.

A further benefit of having cosmetic surgery in Poland is the fact that it is highly unlikely that you will bump into somebody you know during the initial recovery period, when – depending on the procedure – you may look bruised or swollen, and will certainly have to wear surgical dressings. Instead, you can create the impression of having gone on holiday for a few weeks, and returned looking revived and refreshed!
While having cosmetic surgery in another country does require extra planning, the time spent researching the options in Poland certainly pays off, especially for patients who are saving thousands of pounds on their procedure.

The Surgeon’s Perspective

Professor Edward Towpik is one of the cosmetic surgeons who operates at the Damian Medical Centre, one of the largest private clinics in Warsaw.

He trained in the United Kingdom, at the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit in Glasgow, and has also worked in both the United Kingdom and the USA. Professor Towpik is a member of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association in Boston, the Royal Society of Medicine in London, the International Confederation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS) and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). He talks exclusively to Discover Poland.

"There has certainly been a considerable increase in the demand for plastic surgery in Poland in recent years – and there has been a notable increase in the number of patients from the United Kingdom seeking procedures in Poland. There are two main reasons for this – very competitive prices and also an excellent standard of surgery carried out by leading surgeons. However it should be pointed out that patients need to carefully research their options.

There is very little difference between Polish patients and patients from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Both consider their procedure very carefully, research the surgeon and his qualifications and experience as well as look for the highest standards of care that available within the EU.

The most popular procedures that patients are seeking include breast surgery – both enlargement and uplift, tummy-tuck, face lift and blepharoplasty (eye-bag removal).These procedures are carried out at Damian Medical Centre in Warsaw, a leading private medical centre with excellent facilities, where I work alongside a team of other highly skilled plastic surgeons.

Warsaw is a great city for tourists, with a wide range of accommodation and other amenities. It is a safe city, and a very easy place to travel around.”

 

The Patient’s Perspective

Amanda from Guildford, Surrey travelled to Art Plastica Clinic in Szczecin. She talks exclusively to Discover Poland about her experience.

“When I decided to have a lower facelift, researched my options very carefully, and even visited clinics on Harley Street, but the price of the procedure at these clinics was simply too high – I just couldn’t do it. At the same time, I was travelling to Szczecin for dental treatment at the HAHS clinic, where I was already very impressed by the level of expertise and the standard of hygiene. This prompted me to consider having my lower facelift in Poland too, so I started to research my options in Poland. It was dental surgeons at HAHS clinic who recommended Artplastica.

My initial impression of the clinic at Artplastica was that it was like a warm and friendly home that was spotlessly clean. During my stay at the clinic, I got to know all of the staff quite well, even the cleaners. Everybody was incredibly friendly and nothing was too much effort. The surgeon was absolutely marvellous – he was very thorough, and really understood what I was looking to achieve with my procedure. He was also very honest about what was and what wasn’t possible. As for there being any problems with the language, we had absolutely no problems communicating. He was very experienced in working with patients from England.

During my recovery period, I spent most of my time reading though I also spent time with other patients. Some of them were quite nervous, though I found that talking to them about my procedure helped to reassure them and put them at ease.

The travel aspect of my procedure really did not put be off having it Poland. I found that if I booked my flights far enough in advance, I could get some really cheap deals, flying from Stansted to Szczecin. There have been quite a few instances where the flight price was so low that I only had to pay for the airport taxes. In fact, I paid much more to park my car at the airport. I stayed at Atrplastica during my recovery period, though I have also stayed at the Radisson hotel in Szczecin on a previous trip for dental treatment. This is a good choice of hotel, as it is right in the centre of everything.

The best advice that I can give anyone considering cosmetic surgery in Poland is to do as much research as possible before deciding to go ahead with any procedure. I have to say that I am delighted – both with my dental treatment at HAHS clinic and with my procedure at Artplastica.”

What does it cost?
The savings that cane be made by travelling to Poland can be quite significant – in many cases as much as 60%. The following prices are typical of a good clinic:
tummy tuck - from PLN 10, 000 (approx. GB£ 2, 250)
breast lift - from PLN 9, 000 (approx GB£ 2,025)
rhinoplasty – from PLN 4, 000 (approx. GB£ 900)
liposuction - from PLN 6, 000 (approx. GB£ 1350)

Know before you go – make sure that you have the right travel insurance.
Pay careful attention the small print in your travel insurance policy: Your usual travel policy will not provide cover if you are travelling for a dental or medical procedure – even if your claim is not related to your treatment – for instance if the flight is delayed or your luggage gets stolen. Specialist insurance policies are however now available and it pays to shop around for the right one for you. For further information, please see www.healthtraveller.co.uk

Useful Websites
Vita Glob www.vita-glob.com.pl
Mekmed www.mekmed.pl
Medi Q www.medi-clinique.pl
Perfect Medica www.perfectmedica.pl
Ars Medica www.ars-medica.com.pl
Art-Derm www.laserclinic.com.pl
HAHS Dental Clinic www.hahs.co.uk
 

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