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.

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

Dermal Fillers and Skin Rejuvenation

As well as surgical procedures, it is also worth considering dermal fillers and skin rejuvenation in Poland. Dr Robert Chmielewski at the Vita Med Clinic near clinic uses injections of hyaluronic acid to restore firmness to the skin on the hands, and reduce the signs of ageing. He explains, “The treatment is based on injection of special stabilising gel with hyaluronic acid through a very thin needle, which minimizes the risk of damaging the vessels and nerve fibres. The hand is then gently massaged in order to evenly spread the substance which results in giving the skin a naturally youthful appearance. The effects can be seen immediately and - apart from small puncture marks - there are no marks of intervention. Hands look more ‘plumped up’ and thickened veins are no longer visible.”

For further information, visit www.cmvitamed.pl

Cosmetic Dentistry

Having the perfect smile can make a big difference to how you look and feel. Cosmetic dentistry is also a popular treatment in Poland, with some procedures at Polish clinics costing up to 60% less in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Uni-Dent is a Warsaw based dental clinic that offers a wide range cosmetic dental procedures, including whitening, implants and crowns.

For further information, visit www.unident.pl

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