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Not all surgeons are created equal. Even in Australia, you should make enquiries about the surgeon's skill and in particular, his or her experience and expertise.  Under normal circumstances overseas, you would not have any ability to determine a particular surgeon's skill and experience.

While there are many skilled surgeons overseas, they may not necessarily have any particular expertise in the procedure you seek.  Indeed, they may have performed only a few procedures.

All surgery carries risk and reputable surgeons will not only discuss risks prior to surgery, but will explain if you have a problem (even minor) and what can be done to fix it.  If you have an operation overseas you may not have this reassurance.  Can the company you are travelling with guarantee this?  Have you considered that if you have a problem after returning home, it may cost you twice or even three times the original amount to repair the damage?

In many developing countries it is not mandatory for surgeons to carry insurance.  In any event, trying to pursue a liability issue in a foreign country, in a foreign language and in a different legal system, may just not be possible.

Having a cosmetic operation is a complex issue: it's not just about the surgeon or the hospital.  The hospital may look modern and glamorous from the outside, but do you know about standards in the Central Sterilising Supply Department?  Or the training of the nurses and orderlies?  What are the food hygiene standards?

All Australian hospitals have to go through a rigorous accreditation process every two years that looks at all these issues and more, just to stay in business.  Do you know how often the air filters (a source of millions of bacteria) are changed in that particular hospital’s operating theatres? In Australia you do.

If you are having an operation that involves an implant e.g. breast, buttock or cheek, how do you know that your implant is real?  You pay one price for your surgery.

Some countries are known for their “genuine copies”.  Why not a breast implant?  It Happens, All The Time!!

You may feel you have some protection in the company you travel with, (rather like a travel agents guarantee), if you read the small print and ask the right questions you may find the company absolves itself of any liability.  You may also find that the company is not even registered in Australia.