With the growing demand for aesthetic surgery in Singapore, there has been much talk and concern about such procedures and where it is performed. I feel that it is necessary for would-be patients to understand the benefits as well as the risks involved in such procedures.

 

Let’s take LASIK, for example. LASIK is a very safe procedure with excellent success rates but, as with all medical procedures, is not without complications. Comparing LASIK centres of high repute around the world, success and complication rates are generally similar.

 

But even with these encouraging statistics, problems can occur at even the best medical facilities, performed by the best surgeon using the best technology.

 

The decision to go overseas for medical treatment such as LASIK is most commonly fraught with 2 important questions

Choosing an overseas medical provider can often be a very tough decision. On the surface, their marketing materials often look indistinguishably good. Objective measures like international accreditations become the only gauge for the layman trying to do his due diligence.

 

Seeking redress for problems that occur after a patient returns from overseas can be a major problem as most medical professionals will not want to sort out another doctor’s complications.

 

Therein lies the importance of ensuring that there is a medical backup in your home country to handle your pertinent issues. Most problems which occur post-procedure tend to be minor complaints or worries that can be solved by an objective medical professional.

 

Although LASIK has proven to be a revolutionary breakthrough in vision correction, it is primarily still a cosmetic procedure. As such, cost should not be a chief consideration when deciding to go for LASIK. At the end of the day, patients' interests need to be well looked after, ensuring safety and comfort as priorities.