Scots Warned: Health Tourism Risks Catastrophic Outcomes

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), the country's health watchdog, is urging citizens to avoid traveling overseas for cosmetic procedures. This advisory comes amid a surge in Scots seeking treatments such as hair transplants, breast implants, facelifts, and tummy tucks in countries like Turkey, Brazil, and Thailand. The primary concerns raised by HIS involve the heightened risks of complications, including infections and serious post-operative issues, often resulting from operating in settings with lower clinical standards than those in Britain.

These warnings follow the tragic case of Carol Keenan, a 54-year-old grandmother from Glenrothes, Fife. She died on April 20, 2022, after undergoing a tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, and abdominal repair in Turkey. Ms. Keenan had reportedly saved £7,000 for the procedures, significantly less than the UK cost. Her family attributed her death directly to the surgeries, as an autopsy indicated she would still be alive had she not undergone them.

HIS emphasizes that clinics registered and regulated within Scotland are listed on their website, providing a recourse for patients seeking assurance of quality. The watchdog's chief inspector, Laura Boyce, stressed that evidence consistently shows increased risks with procedures performed in countries with variable clinical standards and limited follow-up care, advising the public to avoid such practices entirely.