With more people seeking help for hair loss now than ever before there’s been a corresponding rise in media coverage about surgery tourism. Recently tow UK women lost their lives after a Brazilian Butt Lift and when it comes to hair stories of people with life threatening infections and even death mean it’s time to seriously think – ‘Is saving a few thousand pounds really worth it?’

The number of patients undergoing hair transplants has been on the rise for some time. With the average costs in the UK staring at around £4,000 for a relatively low number of grafts and rising to £10,000 plus for a large number of grafts it’s not surprising that people may look abroad for a cheaper alternative.

In fact a recent documentary aired on the BBC followed a gentleman who decided to travel to Turkey for a transplant. Fortunately it went well for him, but here we highlight why this isn’t a good idea and some of the questions you should ask yourself:

• Do you know the surgeon who will carry out the procedure and what his or her qualifications are?
• Will you get a chance to meet with him or her prior to deciding if the surgery is right for you and to get a proper assessment and full explanation of all the pitfalls and risk associated it?
• Have you been given a realistic expectation of how successful, or not, the surgery would be before you booked those flights and hotel?
• Were you ‘sold’ a surgical, flight & hotel package?
• Do you know if the clinic meets the usual medical hygiene & safety standards?
• Does the doctor have insurance if something goes wrong?
• How about after care & follow up – do they have a plan that will look after you or will you be relying on the NHS or a private practitioner back home to fix things.
• Can you be certain of who exactly will be performing the surgery?

While it seems a lot cheaper, a nice little bit of R&R in possibly a picturesque hotel in another country, sunshine, maybe a pool, or the sea nearby, possibly a tantalising city, there are so many reasons to reconsider going abroad and seek out a reputable surgeon here in the UK.

Any qualified and registered surgeon in the UK will need to adhere to strict regulations of the GMC (General medical council) have their operating theatre checked regularly by the CQC (Care quality commission) – a health regulatory body.

They would also be a member of BAHRS (British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery) or ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) and possibly BAAPS or BAPRAS (The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery). You can search for the surgeons here – if they aren’t members of one or more of these organisations, beware.

Before your surgery you should have met the surgeon face to face and had a full consultation, if you haven’t ask ‘why?’

Surgeons train for many years, have to undergo extensive peer reviews and have carried out thousands of procedures in their specialised field of medicine.

To find a reputable Hair Restoration surgeon look on the Harley Street Emporium and on the register of BAHRS.

Two of these surgeons have links to their bio here at: www.harleystreetemporium.com

Dr Luca De Fazio of the LDF Hair Clinic in London and Dr Reza Nassab of the Resa Nassab Cosmetic Surgery Clinic Manchester and London.

Be safe. Do your homework and don’t be afraid to ask questions.