Beauty tourism is quietly flourishing globally and locally – but at what cost?

From rhinoplasty and liposuction to dermal fillers and veneers, the beauty tourism industry is burgeoning. Tourists are travelling to all corners of the globe from South Korea and Thailand to Mexico and Turkey in pursuit of aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgeries.

The pandemic did little to hamper their search, as these consumers looked inward to local providers to get the job done so that they can look and feel their best.

Now that leisure travel is on the horizon again thanks to the advent of Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs), beauty tourism is also slowly picking up too mainly due to its attractive procedure cost that can shave at least 30% off the price one has to pay for the same service done locally.

Beauty tourism is gaining traction again – but is it worth the risk?

However, if you do not do your homework well, your liposuction procedure may end up needing corrective surgery – or worse, costing you your health.

All types of surgeries come with risks and complications, of course – but in recent years, some of the real-life botched cases that happened overseas and in Singapore have dominated headlines, with some losing their lives while undergoing cosmetic surgeries.

If you’re looking at especially delicate procedures such as liposuction to reduce stubborn fat in targeted areas, these are the key things you should look out for when searching for an accredited doctor to perform liposuction.

The top things to look out for when researching a certified and accredited liposuction doctor

Liposuction is one of the most challenging surgeries, especially when you’re looking to address the issue of stubborn fat in delicate areas, and it takes a doctor with true extensive experience to ensure your wellbeing from start to finish.

Therefore, choosing a liposuction doctor should not be like a hasty game of chance and dice. Instead, take your time to do the research and keep all these factors in mind before booking an appointment.

Word-of-mouth recommendations

Apart from looking up a list of liposuction on the Internet, getting first-hand accounts from either family or friends, particularly those who have undergone liposuction, is the ideal first step to determining if the doctor you’re eyeing is any good.

In Singapore, liposuction is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Health (MOH), so it’s vital that you ensure the doctors you’ve shortlisted are accredited by the MOH to perform liposuction.

It’ll also help if you take the time to read up on real patient reviews and take note of their experience on other factors such as the doctor’s bedside manners and professionalism.

The doctor’s experience

A highly experienced doctor with numerous liposuction procedures to his or her name can address a patient’s needs and anticipate potential issues that may arise before, during, and after the operation.

Steady hands, a composed mind, and calm nerves are assets that are obtained only with experience amassed over the years, so you may want to think twice if the doctor you’ve shortlisted is still new to the game.

Consistent results are good indicators too, so find out more about the doctors on your “shopping” list. Ask to see before-and-after photos during your consultation, and find out the average number of liposuction procedures that they perform in a month.

Complexity of surgery

A doctor should preferably have a good eye for aesthetics to visualise the desired-looking results and, with extensive know-how under his or her belt, materialise them according to your needs and wants.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method when it comes to liposuction since each body part is unique and requires a different approach, and a truly experienced doctor can undertake this challenge with confidence and relative ease.

Patient care

You may not give this much thought, but attention to patient care is another essential prerequisite for every doctor.

After all, a patient’s safety, comfort, and well-being are of utmost importance not just for the doctor, but also for the medical team and facility.

Post-operative care and how the team of medical professionals handle emergencies are factors that you should also take note of.

Compliance level

A doctor’s ethics is just as important as his credentials too, and you should only settle for one that respects and adheres to the rules and regulations set by MOH in Singapore.

Transparent communication

Open and honest communication is key throughout a patient’s journey, and it’s imperative that you find a doctor who is a good listener and communicator that you can safely trust.

The ones on your shortlist should have the ability to understand your needs, alleviate worries and concerns, and confidently address any queries you may have.

The doctor’s support team

The doctor’s experience is a key piece to this puzzle, but so is that of the doctor’s medical support team.

How long have these medical professionals been assisting the doctor with the procedure? Are they able to render advice to you timely?

Are they professional, confident, and knowledgeable when answering your questions? Are they able to alleviate your concerns and worries about the procedure and make you feel at ease under their care?

During your consultation, it’s important that you speak to the support team present on-site and bear these factors in mind to determine if they’re a good fit.

Where to find an accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore

For liposuction in Singapore, one of the doctors that you can add to your shortlist is Dr. Ivan Puah, a MOH-accredited liposuction doctor who is the medical director of Amaris B. Clinic.

The liposuction performed by Dr. Ivan Puah is markedly different from the ones offered by other liposuction providers, thanks to his unique body sculpting approach called the MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique.

With his extensive surgical experience accumulated over the years of his career, Dr. Ivan Puah had developed this one-of-its-kind method to achieve thorough fat removal with precise sculpting that’s fully customised according to your optimal body goal and shape.

MDC stands for Multi-Dimensional Contouring, a precision-focused technique that effectively removes more than 90% of localised subcutaneous fat cells, tightens loose skin and limits the future deposition of fat in the treated area.

What’s more, scarring is reduced to the bare minimum and post-surgical downtime is also reduced, leading to faster recovery for the patients.

Dr. Ivan Puah developed this liposuction technique to allow for better efficacy and comprehensive fat removal in common troubled zones such as the face, armpits, shoulders, abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, breasts, knees, and calves while enhancing and harmonising natural body contours and musculature.

“Body fat characteristics, thickness, and distribution are just like fingerprints and are unique for each individual. No one body shape is the same and, therefore, liposuction cannot be done in a cookie-cutter manner,” he shares.

Compared to traditional liposuction, this approach is also gentler and less traumatising, which translates to faster recovery, lesser bruising, and discomfort for patients,” adds Dr. Ivan Puah who’s also the chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore.

Results are noticeable immediately after the fat removal is done; however, post-operative tissue swelling is to be expected but this will gradually subside over a few weeks.

However, it’s worth noting that liposuction should not be mistaken as a tool for weight loss. Rather, it is an effective body surgical treatment to correct disproportionate body shapes and eliminate stubborn fat that cannot be removed with diet or exercise.

Always putting patients as a top priority, Dr. Ivan Puah and the medical team will discuss in detail with you the expected result during your consultation, before the procedure, and throughout the aftercare appointments.

Let Amaris B. Clinic help you achieve the slender figure with the highest safety protocols in place

Thanks to the combination of Dr. Ivan Puah’s surgical experience and the degree of the meticulous face and body sculpting that he adheres to, as well as the team’s commitment and dedication to their patients’ pursuit of physical perfection and well-being over the years, Amaris B. Clinic has earned the trust of its patients.

If you’re looking for liposuction, leave it to the team of medical professionals at Amaris B. Clinic to help you achieve your goals with their fully personalised approach to your treatment.

Amaris B. Clinic is located at 140 Arab Street, Singapore 199827. Call 6536 4211 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation.

This article is brought to you by Amaris B. Clinic.