Considering Cosmetic Surgery Abroad? Your Questions Answered

Ocean Clinic Marbella not only treats many local expat patients, we also frequently have people travel from the UK and many other countries to undergo treatment.

That’s because they can make significant savings here in Spain without sacrificing the standard of care. Patients can save as much as 60%, depending on the procedure and the current exchange rate.

However, there are other considerations besides cost when deciding where to undergo treatment. To help you decide if cosmetic surgery in Spain could be right for you, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions asked by UK-based and international patients…

Do I need to come to Spain for my initial consultation?

Your initial consultation is a fact finding mission that will help you decide if a particular procedure is something you want to go ahead with or not. As such, we recognise that you will want to avoid spending out on hotels and flights at this stage and therefore offer the possibility for you to submit photos to our Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye in the first instance.

He will be able to respond regarding your suitability for the surgery and provide a quotation. If you wish to find out more about the procedure and have questions to ask, then a Skype video consultation can be arranged.

If there is any doubt around your suitability or any potential concerns then an in-the-flesh meeting will be requested. Thanks to the number of low cost flight operators flying from the UK to Malaga this needn’t be a big expense.

If you and Dr. Kaye are happy to proceed after your initial online consultation, you will be asked to arrive in Spain at least two days before your surgery date for a pre-op appointment where you can be assessed in person.

What happens at the pre-op appointment?

This is when we carry out a blood test and an ECG to ensure you are fit to undergo surgery. We will also guide you through a comprehensive health questionnaire, take pre-op photographs and provide detailed information about your procedure for you to read.

When you are happy with everything, you will be asked to sign your consent. The whole appointment normally takes around an hour. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner with you to the pre-op consultation.

You will then be able to spend some time at leisure in sunny Marbella before returning to the clinic for surgery, first thing in the morning, two days later.

How long will I need to stay in Marbella?

Depending on the procedure you’re having, the duration of your stay will range from five days to two weeks (inclusive of pre-op and post-op appointments).

We can provide you with recommendations for hotels or apartments close to the clinic to suit your budget. Ocean Clinic doctors will be on hand at all times should you have any issues.

Although you will be away from home during your recovery, having surgery abroad offers you complete discretion – no one will know unless you tell them!

And once your energy levels return after the first few days, you will find plenty to keep you occupied in Marbella, including a fantastic array of shops and restaurants lining charming Spanish streets and plazas.

Can I travel to Marbella alone for surgery?

We recommend that you have someone stay with you for at least 48-hours after surgery. It’s always great to have the support of a partner or friend, but if this is not possible we can recommend carers who can be privately hired to stay with you.

We can also arrange for taxis to take you to and from appointments. It is important to note that you will not be able to drive immediately after your surgery.

What happens regarding aftercare once I am back in the UK?

Upon discharge you will be provided with information and advice about your ongoing recovery, including what to expect and anything to monitor.

You will be able to speak to a surgeon on the phone or via email at any time should you have questions or concerns. Skype consultations can also be arranged.

The requirement for revision surgery is rare, but if anything does go wrong, you can rest assured in the knowledge that you can return for further treatment, inclusive in the original cost.

The benefit of choosing Spain for your cosmetic surgery over other destinations such as Thailand or Brazil is that you can be here door-to-door in half a day. In addition, the cost of flights is not prohibitive.

If a patient wants to insure any possibility of revision surgery independent from our own service, we offer our international patients the possibility to buy an international aftercare insurance through our medical tourism insurer.

Will the doctors speak English?

Everyone at Ocean Clinic Marbella, from our reception staff and nurses, through to our surgeons and specialists speak good English, so you won’t have to worry about anything getting lost in translation.

Are you regulated in the same way UK cosmetic surgeons are?

Yes. Doctors practicing in the Spain are both highly trained and closely regulated. In accordance with Spanish law, all doctors must undergo at least six years of training before they can officially begin to practice medicine and those who wish to specialise must train for even longer before they are recognised as qualified in their field.

Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye is recognised worldwide for his expertise, regularly invited to lecture at medical conferences and demonstrate his techniques to peers.

Dr. Kaye is a fully registered Plastic Surgery Consultant in Germany, Spain and the UK and is a member of numerous national associations including the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS).

Ocean Clinic is also proud of its world-class operating theatre and facilities, including luxury guest rooms. Find out more here.

Want to know more about coming to Spain for cosmetic surgery? Contact us today via our online contact form or send us a message on Facebook.