LEADING BRITISH plastic surgeons are calling for drastic action after a new audit revealed a staggering 44% rise in botched cosmetic surgery procedures abroad.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) say the number of patients being treated for serious complications following cosmetic surgery abroad increased by 44% in 2021, compared to the previous year.

Social media and the increased use of online platforms is driving the so called “Zoom Boom”, as people become more aware of their appearance on screen.

The new  BAAPS Audit showed in the past four years, 324 patients have required surgery after returning to the UK.

BAAPS is calling for Cosmetic Surgery Travel Insurance to be made compulsory to help tackle the problem.

Mary O’Brien, President of BAAPS said: “When patients go abroad for cosmetic surgery, they usually have no knowledge of the competence and experience of the surgeon, and there is very little prospect of follow-up care and advice.

“Best practice is compromised by the fact that patients are only meeting their surgeon immediately before a procedure – at which point generally they are committed to and have paid for the surgery.

“Patients then return to the UK without adequate medical records, if any. Follow-up is difficult. Complications do occur and are usually left to the British system to pick up.

“The surgeons involved in these schemes do not have a work permit nor are registered in the UK, and it is unlikely there will be any possibility of seeking revisional surgery.”

BAAPS say the lack of local cosmetic surgery and the enticement of cheap cosmetic surgery deals, is encouraging patients to look abroad, which is resulting in BAAPS seeing an increase in patients needing correctional surgery.

In 2021, 75 women and seven men were treated for complications which included some with life threatening problems such as the emergency surgical removal (debridement) of dead skin tissue and admission to intensive care for life support following systemic infection.

These complications, despite treatment, still leave permanent life changing physical deformities along with the psychological effects of these injuries.

A survey of BAAPS council members found 100% of complications came from Turkey and that Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) accounted for 75% of complications, followed by breast surgery procedures at 25%.

According to the audit Cosmetic Tourism continued during the Covid pandemic, despite travel restrictions being in place.

According to Consultant Plastic Surgeon and BAAPS Council Member Caroline Payne: “BAAPS members were very cautious in recommending surgery during the pandemic. Additionally, many private hospitals were assisting the NHS with their facilities to help with emergency and urgent medical need, as were many of the BAAPS surgeons themselves.

“Unfortunately, Covid does not seem to have deterred patients seeking low-cost options abroad and some UK clinics are paid to refer patients to Turkey. 

“Cheaper can sometimes prove to be more be expensive – if patients need things put right or are worried and need a follow up consultation they may have to fly back. That additional cost can wipe out the original saving. Alternatively, they may have to pay a surgeon in the UK to correct the procedure or the NHS may end up shouldering the responsibility.”

This comes after The Voice,found that black British women are travelling to Europe for Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and other procedures to enhance their bodies.

According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is now the fastest-growing cosmetic surgical procedure in the world. 

Since 2015, the number of butt lifts performed globally has sky rocketed by 77.6%. 

The procedure has been labelled by experts “the world’s most dangerous cosmetic surgery”, as one in 3,000 operations result in death. 

In America earlier this year, 53-year-old Maxine Messam, died after being dropped off at a New York hospital naked from the waist down.