AMA and cosmetic surgery warning

THE death of a New Zealander after an operation in Malaysia organised by the Sydney-based Gorgeous Getaways firm has prompted a warning by the AMA against travelling overseas for cut-price cosmetic surgery.

Australian Medical Association president Rosanna Capolingua said the organisation had grave concerns about patients travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery or any other medical procedures.

“If there are complications or further treatments that are required, they’re usually not provided by the doctors overseas, so the patients come back to Australia and the doctors here have to manage the problem and pick up the pieces,” she said.

“The other issue is that if you have surgery in Australia and something goes wrong, the doctors here are indemnified and the patient can seek recourse and receive ongoing treatment or financial compensation. But if the problem happens overseas, there’s no protection for the patient.”