Giving the gift of a cosmetic trip

‘Tis the gift-giving season, and there is a growing number of people who are forgoing the usual necktie or bathrobe a gift that the recipient can wear, even if they’re not wearing anything at all.  Cosmetic procedures, no longer just options for the very affluent, are gifts under more and more Christmas tress than ever before. 

If you were to give a loved one the gift of a trip to any exotic or intriguing locale in the world, where would it be?  Have you heard your spouse remark how he or she would like to undergo a specific kind of medical procedure to improve their appearance or quality of life?

If so, you may want to consider combining that wanderlust with you or your loved one’s cosmetic desires and give the gift of a medical tourism vacation.  Lasik eye surgery, dental whitening, cosmetic dentistry, skin rejuvenation, or any of a host of others procedures—at dozens upon dozens of beautiful destinations—are gifts that are closer within your reach than you may have imagined.

After all, medical tourists from the US and going in droves to places like India and Thailand for medical care; some come for tertiary treatment, but many are heading abroad for cosmetic surgery. This growth is attributed, in big part, to the insurance policies that do not cover cosmetic surgeries. 

Plus, like a shopper in the mall looking for the best value, a medical tourist is looking for high quality and low cost when it comes to their medical procedures.  With the advantages of medical tourism, procedures like Lasik, cosmetic dentistry, and others, are gifts that are not far out of reach. 

In addition, a person who decides to undergo the procedure in someplace like India or Thailand would spend less on airfare, accommodations, and the cost of the procedure that they would on the procedure alone in the United States.    

However, the idea for cosmetic surgery should come from the person who intends to have it, not from a spouse, relative or friend (i.e., don’t “surprise” your wife by telling her that she’s scheduled for rhinoplasty, or you may have a broken nose).  Cosmetic procedures, no matter how non-invasive, are still medical treatments and take serious planning and thought. 

In short, follow this advice: Don’t give the gift of cosmetic surgery unless you’re sure the recipient wants it, and remember that cosmetic surgery is not the gift for last minute shoppers.      

In honor of the holiday, we will not be publishing on Christmas Day.  We sincerely hope that you have a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah season!