In recent years, cosmetic surgery has become popular amongst women in the Middle East. While more and more Middle Eastern women seek plastic surgery, they aren’t having these procedures done in their own countries.
Instead, most of these women travel to the United States — mainly Beverly Hills — to get cosmetic procedures, and it’s not due to the cosmetic surgery cost in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, or other emirates of the UAE. In fact, plastic surgery is much cheaper in these countries than in the U.S. It turns out this phenomenon is part of a more significant trend referred to as “cosmetic surgery tourism” that is gaining popularity.
Why exactly are so many women traveling across the world to get plastic surgery? Is plastic surgery common in Arab countries? There are several reasons Middle Eastern women are coming to America to have their cosmetic procedures. Learn more about those reasons and cosmetic surgery tourism below.
What Is Cosmetic Surgery Tourism?
“Cosmetic surgery tourism” refers to the ever-growing trend of traveling to another country solely to have plastic surgery. Whether it be safety concerns, financial reasons, or something else entirely, many people feel that going out of the country to have a cosmetic procedure is a better choice than having it done in their own country.
This practice has become increasingly popular in the United States, with a large subset of the country’s plastic surgical procedures done for people from out of the country.
Which Country Is Best for Plastic Surgery?
Have you found yourself googling things like, “Which country is best for plastic surgery?” When asking this question, many people around the world arrive at the same answer—the United States.
The U.S. has become one of the top destinations for cosmetic procedures, performing more plastic surgeries than any other country in the world. According to the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), the United States performed 15.6 million cosmetic procedures and 6.8 million reconstructive procedures in 2020.
While other countries like Mexico and Thailand are also popular plastic surgery destinations, the United States stands alone in its number of surgical options. The U.S. is known for offering the widest variety of cosmetic procedures, including everything from tummy tucks to labiaplasties.
The United States is also a top destination because of its safety standards and protocols. Surgeries are performed with the utmost professionalism by expert cosmetic surgeons, making the risk for complications far less than in other countries. While the cosmetic surgery cost in Dubai may be more affordable, the cost in America is worth every penny, as you’re going to get better results.
Why Saudi, Emirate, and Dubai Women Travel to Beverly Hills for Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery tourism has become increasingly popular among Middle Eastern women. More and more women from the Middle East travel to Beverly Hills to get plastic surgery before returning home to their Arab countries.
It turns out there are several specific reasons women from the Middle East come to Los Angeles for their cosmetic procedures:
There are More Female Surgeons in Los Angeles
Many Middle Eastern women are practicing Muslims who have traditional values. They feel much more comfortable with a female surgeon performing their cosmetic procedures, especially in a more intimate area, like a labiaplasty or breast augmentation.
Beverly Hills has many board-certified female cosmetic surgeons, such as Dr. Cat Begovic. Dr. Cat is a renowned expert in the industry, specializing in procedures like Abdominoplasty and Brazilian Butt Lifts.
Dr. Cat explains her approach to patients from overseas:
“Over 30% of my medical practice are patients that fly in from out of town or overseas for surgery. We have a simple process for our out-of-town patients and would start with a video consultation with photos. You can go to the Out-of-Town patient link on my website for more information.”
Lack of Variety in the Middle East
While many cosmetic surgeries are conducted in Arab countries, there aren’t as many as in America. Plastic surgery is only somewhat common in Arab countries, so Arab women who desire specific plastic surgery procedures need to seek options in other countries.
Public Knowledge of Plastic Surgery in Saudi Arabia is Poor
A recent study showed that the public’s knowledge of plastic surgery in Arab countries like Saudi Arabia was minimal. In Arab countries, it was generally assumed that plastic surgery applied strictly to cosmetic procedures like liposuction and rhinoplasty. The public was unaware that plastic surgeons could also perform reconstructive procedures that correct physical abnormalities or malformations, like a cleft lip.
Higher Cost, Better Results
When it comes to plastic surgery, most patients are willing to pay more to ensure they get the best possible result. The cosmetic surgery costs in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the other Emirates are relatively inexpensive, with only a small number of procedures being performed by inexperienced surgeons.
Plastic surgery in the U.S. is more expensive than in Arab countries, but the results are far better. Patients having cosmetic surgery in America are more likely to choose a trained and credible expert plastic surgeon working in a renowned facility with comprehensive list of patients’ success stories.
Process for Out-of-Town Patients In Beverly Hills
As an expert cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Cat is committed to providing every patient with the best possible results. That is why Dr. Cat has a simple and unique process to help out-of-town patients make the most of their plastic surgery “staycation.” For more information on how Dr. Cat’s patient out-of-town process works, please go to Dr. Cat’s website.
Schedule Your Consultation
The first step is booking your consultation. Since this is for overseas patients, these consultations happen by phone or video chat. Call Dr. Cat’s office to learn how to schedule your consultation. You can begin by filling out the requested form under “Book Consultation.”
Send Photos
Once you’ve booked your consultation, Dr. Cat’s office will email you an invite to sign onto OnPatient, an online portal where you can fill out your consent forms and upload photos. Dr. Cats office will also send you instructions on how to send clear photos from various angles that show your area of concern in good lighting.
Phone or Video Consult
Once the office receives your photos and consultation forms, you are ready for your consultation with Dr. Cat. Over the phone or through a video chat, Dr. Cat will discuss your desired procedures and if you are a good candidate for plastic surgery. You will learn what the surgery entails, and Dr. Cat will address any questions or concerns. The consultation fee is $500, which will be applied to your procedure if you choose to schedule one.
Schedule Your Procedure
After your consultation, our surgical consultant will give you a cost estimate for your procedure and help you schedule a date for your surgery. A surgery deposit of $2,500 is required to book your procedure date.
Read and Sign
Once you schedule your surgery, you will receive a packet containing all of your pre and post-operative instructions. That will include consent forms for your procedure. You are required to read and sign each page before the date of your surgery.
Medical Clearance
Before your surgery, you will need medical clearance from your physician. That will include routine blood work and a general physical to ensure you are in good health for surgery. The exact testing needed will vary depending on your age, physical condition, and the cosmetic procedure you’re having done. For example, if you are having a breast augmentation, you will need to have had a mammogram done within the last 12 months before your surgery.
We recommend making an appointment with your doctor as soon as you schedule your surgery so that you have time to complete the proper testing. Tests must be conducted at least two weeks before your surgery so that Dr. Cat’s office has enough time to receive and review the results.
Travel Plans and Recovery
For out-of-town patients, we work with the concierge luxury extended hotel, AKA, in Beverly Hills. We recommend that you arrive in Los Angeles at least one day before your scheduled surgery so that you can have a pre-operative appointment with Dr. Cat. Once your surgery is over, you may be required to stay in a plastic surgery aftercare facility. The length of stay depends on what procedures you’ve had and the complexity.
Once your procedure is complete, you will need to stay in the area for at least one week. Patients who undergo more extensive procedures remain in the Los Angeles area for two weeks. We recommend bringing an adult friend or family member who can help you. If you cannot bring someone, we will arrange for a caretaker or private nurse to assist you until you are cleared to return home.
Contact Dr. Cat for Your Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgery
If you are interested in traveling to Beverly Hills to have a cosmetic procedure done, please contact Dr. Cat’s office today. With her expertise and specialized approach to a wide range of procedures, you’ll return home feeling gorgeous! Book your consultation with Dr. Cat today and start your plastic surgery journey.
