Plastic Surgery Tourism is a growing trend, with many consumers looking to travel abroad to meet their plastic surgery needs. However, traveling abroad for plastic surgery is often risky, especially since not all countries have the same surgical standards.

To help consumers ensure their safety abroad, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) has released the first ever comprehensive plastic surgery guidelines for consumers.

The guidelines, which define a worldwide standard, took nearly a year to develop and provide consumers with key questions to think about when considering plastic surgery abroad.

“The ISAPS guidelines for plastic surgery travelers provide consumers with vital and perhaps even life-saving yardsticks to gauge if the doctor they choose for their plastic surgery is appropriately trained and certified for the procedure they are considering,” said ISAPS president-elect Dr. Bryan C. Mendelson.

Some of the key consumer guidelines outlined by the ISAPS include:

• Does the surgeon have appropriate training?
• Are the plastic surgeon and the surgery center both certified? Who is the certifying body?
• Will your insurance cover you abroad?
• What will be offered in terms of aftercare?
• What happens in the case of complications?
• Do your doctor and the clinical staff speak your native language fluently?
• Is the surgeon a member of a recognized national or international society?
• Have you asked for references?

“These easy-to-understand recommendations are the absolute first stop before anyone should consider traveling from home for plastic surgery,” said Dr. Malcolm Paul, Clinical Professor of Surgery with the Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Institute at University of California, Irvine.

The ISAPS, which recently launched its new website, represents nearly 1,500 of the world's leading board certified aesthetic plastic surgeons in 73 countries.

To consult with a board certified plastic surgeon near you , click here .