Recently Great Britain vacationers have started to return from their getaways with more than just a tan. Cosmetic surgery is now a major motivation for Brits to get out of the country for a while.

According to recent research, over 2.65 million residents of Great Britain have undergone some sort of alteration while travelling abroad. These alterations include facial manipulation, tummy tucks, and breast implantation. The international surgery extends even beyond cosmetic alteration in many cases; some have received knee replacements, gastric balloon operation, and even heart surgery in foreign countries.

The reasons for these surgical sabbaticals are two-fold. The first is the long waiting period for surgical procedures. According to the National Health Service, the waiting period for these procedures could last as long as eighteen weeks. For individuals who need medical treatment, eighteen weeks may be far too long, especially for vascular or cardiac issues. Even for Brits who want cosmetic treatment, eighteen weeks can be a long time. The second reason to travel for surgery is the monetary benefit. Even with the cost of travel, the cost of surgery in other nations such as Portugal does not come close to the cost it would be in Great Britain. On average, the cost of a heart bypass is around £10,000. In Great Britain, the same operation would be around £40,000. The benefit of international treatment is even more apparent after examining the cost of dental treatments such as laser whitening, bridges, and implants, with an 80% difference in price between Great Britain and other nations.

The advancement of science and technology in the medical realm has allowed other countries to maintain a secure, thriving health care system. According to Paul Krugman of the New York Times, though the United States of America’s health care system is more costly than Great Britain’s, other countries have outclassed both in the health care industry. These other nations are more cost effective and are able to provide medically sound health care on par with the national “superpowers” such as Great Britain and the United States of America.
This news comes after the post office announced the possibility of hidden credit card charges for international usage. 

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