Before cosmetic surgery, at home or abroad, ask the surgeon these questions and get the answers in writing. Abroad, U.S. rules do not protect you, so the questions are your protection.

Last updated: October 22, 2026

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) notes that there are no U.S. laws governing the qualifications of surgeons abroad and there may be no legal recourse after negligence (ASPS). The questions below follow ASPS, CDC, the FDA and the NHS.

The surgeon

☐ 1. What is your full name, and which board certifies you in plastic surgery? In Mexico, check the surgeon with CMCPER; in Turkey, ask whether they are a plastic surgery specialist, not only a certificate holder.
☐ 2. Will you do the whole operation yourself, and will I meet you in person before the day of surgery? The NHS recommends two consultations with the operating surgeon (NHS).
☐ 3. How many of these operations do you do a year, and how many on the same day as mine?

The hospital and anesthesia

☐ 4. In which hospital will I be operated on, which authority licenses it, and is there an intensive care unit on site?
☐ 5. What anesthesia will I have, and who gives it: an anesthesiologist? In 2023, U.S. patients got fungal meningitis after epidural anesthesia at two clinics in Matamoros (CDC).

Combined operations and blood clots

Why it matters: In a U.S. database of 25,478 tummy tucks, complications rose from 3.1% for a tummy tuck alone to 10.4% with liposuction and other body contouring (PRS, 2015). In high-risk patients, more than half of blood clots were found 15 to 60 days after surgery (J Am Coll Surg, 2011), when most travelers are home.

☐ 6. Do you recommend doing these operations together or in two stages, and why?
☐ 7. What is my blood-clot risk score (Caprini), and what is the plan: walking, compression stockings, blood thinners, and for the flight?
☐ 8. On what day can I safely fly home? ASPS suggests 5–7 days after body procedures and 7–10 after facial surgery (ASPS); CDC suggests 10–14 days after major surgery (CDC).

If you are having a BBL

Why it matters: Florida, after a series of BBL deaths, now requires these steps by law (Fla. Stat. §458.328). Other countries do not, so ask for them in writing.

☐ 9. Will you personally harvest and inject the fat?
☐ 10. Will fat be injected only under the skin, never into the muscle, with ultrasound guidance?
☐ 11. Will you operate on only one patient at a time?

If you are having breast implants

Why it matters: In the U.S., the FDA requires a boxed warning, a patient decision checklist the surgeon must review with you, and a patient device card (FDA). Abroad, ask for the same.

☐ 12. Which implant brand and model, smooth or textured, and what size? Is it FDA-approved or registered in this country?
☐ 13. Will I get an implant card with the serial or lot number?
☐ 14. Will you go through the FDA decision checklist with me?

Aftercare and complications

☐ 15. Who removes drains and stitches, and who do I call at night if something is wrong?
☐ 16. If I have a complication after I fly home, what do you do, and who pays for treatment or a return trip?
☐ 17. Will I get my operative note and discharge papers in English?

Before you book, read our safety guides for Mexico and Turkey, and what to do if something goes wrong.

xcuro can send these questions to clinics for you and pass on their written answers. We do not perform medical audits or inspections; see our methodology and medical disclaimer. For questions that apply to any clinic abroad (price, deposit, insurance), see 20 questions to ask a clinic abroad.

Sources

All sources accessed October 19–22, 2026.

ASPS – Briefing paper: cosmetic surgery tourism: www.plasticsurgery.org
CDC – Medical tourism: wwwnc.cdc.gov
CDC – Fungal meningitis after epidural anesthesia in Matamoros: archive.cdc.gov
NHS – Cosmetic surgery abroad: www.nhs.uk
FDA – Things to consider before getting breast implants: www.fda.gov
Florida Statutes §458.328: www.flsenate.gov
Winocour et al., abdominoplasty complications, PRS 2015: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pannucci et al., timing of VTE after plastic surgery, 2011: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
CMCPER – verify your plastic surgeon: cmcper.org

Questions to ask a plastic surgeon before cosmetic surgery