The current recession has hit a number of different industries and affected millions in adverse ways that most never imagined. Now it has reared its ugly head in the world of cosmetic surgery. Citizens of the UK are being enticed into cosmetic procedures by “Plastic Surgery Package Holidays”, trips to foreign nations where medical procedures are done for a fraction of the price charged here at home.

In this time of economic difficulty, more people are considering combining their holidays with the breast enlargement or tummy tuck they have been hoping will make them look their best. But at what risk? The surgeons in these foreign nations are not accredited UK physicians and remotely verifying credentials can be a risky business. The cost of hiring a local surgeon to fix something which goes awry could outweigh any quick savings on the initial procedure.

BAAPS, otherwise known as the British Associate of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, have been at the forefront of an awareness campaign aiming to make sure UK men and woman understand the potential risks of going under the knife whilst on holiday. BAAPS highlighted how woman’s magazines were a prime marketing channel for these foreign surgeries, and that they often have UK-based representation to reassure and push through the sale.

Cosmetic surgery has been around long enough now to be considered relatively safe, although of course there will never be a zero risk of complication, but BAAPS are keen to make sure those considering plastic surgery are aware of the aftercare if any, and understand that these surgeons are not BAAPS accredited.

At the extreme end of the scale, Brits wanting to save a significant amount on their tummy tuck or breast enlargement surgery may be tempted to venture even further afield, where there is no guarantee of the latest developments in safe technology or procedures.

There was a staggering 650 million pounds spend on cosmetic surgery last year by Britons, and there’s little sign of this declining despite the squeeze of the recession. However, the desire to look good and boost confidence levels has the potential to outweigh the risks of the unknown.

Understanding the message that BAAPS wants to communicate is essential if Brits are the reduce the risk them expose themselves to when looking for beauty. A lot of countries will be governed by similar organisations designed to regulate the standards of surgeons, and this can only be a good thing.

In times of financial scarcity, it’s understandable that people look to making themselves feel better inside, and looking good on the outside is one way of achieving this. As long as people have all the information available to them to weigh up the risks then it’s down to personal choice considering all the factors involved.