Medical tourism is on the rise, with people flocking overseas for unconventional appearance medicine treatments and cosmetic surgeries. But are they safe? And what\u2019s available in New Zealand? Ashleigh Cometti investigates. <\/p>\n
\n A coroner ruled last week that British businessman and influencer Igho Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism after
\n receiving a hyaluronic acid injection during a penis enlargement procedure in Thailand.\n <\/p>\n
Investigations into Ubiribo\u2019s death on March 6 are ongoing, including whether the Bangkok clinic held a valid licence and followed proper safety protocols after Ubiribo was injected with 40ml of filler. <\/p>\n
Ubiribo\u2019s death has sparked debate around the niche elective surgeries driving medical tourism. Thailand, South Korea and Turkey are popular destinations for those seeking specialised cosmetic interventions abroad for cost savings or legal access.<\/p>\n
What began with breast augmentations and rhinoplasties has morphed into something else entirely, with technological advancements in the aesthetic space making even the most niche requests to \u201cnip this\u201d or \u201ctuck that\u201d possible.<\/p>\n
But what are some of the most niche appearance medicine treatments and cosmetic surgeries available, and how safe are they? <\/p>\n
Before (left) and after an earlobe revision surgery at Clinic 42.<\/p>\n
Earlobe revision, repair or rejuvenation is said to be a low-risk cosmetic procedure to repair torn, split, stretched or ageing earlobes. <\/p>\n
The surgery aims to restore the natural shape of earlobes, improving their appearance and allowing a patient to comfortably wear earrings again. <\/p>\n
Performed under local anaesthetic in clinic, the procedure takes up to an hour with minimal downtime. Most patients resume duties 24-48 hours post-op. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of the many treatments on offer at Auckland\u2019s Clinic 42. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have tried to avoid niche treatments until we have tried, tested and made sure they\u2019re safe,\u201d says Dr Ellen Selkon, Clinic 42\u2019s cosmetic physician and director. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have done earlobe treatments for many years, as this is a real dilemma for some women when their earrings don\u2019t sit correctly or their earlobes are asymmetrical.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThese treatments are not requested often but we don\u2019t advertise them. It is mostly word of mouth, or in-consultation discussions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other plastic surgery clinics across the motu offer earlobe revision surgeries, including the private clinics of Dr Mark Gittos and Dr Charles Davis.<\/p>\n
In July, Married At First Sight star Bec Zacharia was invited to Bali for rib contouring (also known as rib remodelling) as part of an influencer collaboration with compression garment company Snatched Waist. <\/p>\n
The cosmetic procedure involves a patient going under general anaesthetic, while surgeons fracture the lower ribs and reposition them to create a smaller waistline. <\/p>\n
A device called a piezotome vibrates and weakens the rib bones before the surgeon applies pressure to fracture the outer layer of the bone and sets it in place for a reduced waist. <\/p>\n
Patients wear compression garments for several months post-procedure while their ribs heal.<\/p>\n
The surgery is not widely practised in Australia or New Zealand. At the time of Zacharia\u2019s procedure, both the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and Medical Board of Australia warned that such procedures carried risks, including collapsed lungs, nerve injury, infection and poor bone healing.<\/p>\n
Before (left) and after Ruby Tuesday Matthews’ ponytail lift. Photos \/ Instagram<\/p>\n
Ponytail Lift <\/p>\n
Australian content creator Ruby Tuesday Matthews travelled to Ilchi Plastic Surgery clinic in Seoul, South Korea, in August for an endoscopic lift. <\/p>\n
In a post shared to Instagram, 33-year-old Matthews said she booked the four-hour surgery (also known as a ponytail lift) to appear more \u201crefreshed and awake\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ponytail lifts sit between a temporal lift (where eyebrows and eyelids are lifted) and a full facelift. Ilchi says using an endoscope helps minimise the incision, compared to traditional lifting surgeries.<\/p>\n
The dissection range varies, but mostly the surgery is performed across the midface \u2013 a plane that spans from below the cheekbone to the temple \u2013 giving the illusion of a tightly pulled ponytail to address sagging or slackening skin.<\/p>\n
In New Zealand, a ponytail lift can be achieved by non-surgical PDO thread lifts, a minimally invasive, temporary procedure that uses dissolvable medical-grade sutures to lift and tighten sagging skin. PDO thread lifts are offered at clinics like The Face Place and Skin Institute. <\/p>\n
Endoscopic techniques like those offered at Ilchi are also available from plastic surgery clinics across the country. <\/p>\n
Witch Chin Lift<\/p>\n
Another lifting procedure offered at Ilchi is the Witch Chin Lift (also known as mentopexy), designed to reshape a droopy or elongated chin without filler.<\/p>\n
Soft tissue and muscle can sag and hang over the edge of the chin, which creates a deep fold. This can be the result of ageing, weakening muscles, or after facial surgery.<\/p>\n
At Ilchi, the procedure involves a small incision under the jawline, before the surgeon lifts, trims and fixes the sagging muscle and soft tissue back to their original position. <\/p>\n
The results smooth the deep chin crease, balancing the lower face and refining the jawline. <\/p>\n
Mentopexy surgery is available at selected plastic surgery clinics in New Zealand, including Dr Charles Davis, who performs chin augmentations in Wellington. <\/p>\n
Are They Safe?<\/p>\n
The risks vary depending on the treatment or surgery, but Selkon says while fatalities aren\u2019t common, \u201ceven one [death] is too many as they are all elective procedures\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy opinion is that it is very risky to head overseas for surgery,\u201d Selkon says. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhere some of the results are good, if you do have complications, then it can be hard to find a local surgeon who will want to handle your care.\u201d <\/p>\n
Complications can be minimised by going to an experienced practitioner trained to perform the specific procedure, she adds, citing the list of qualified doctors published on the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM) website.<\/p>\n
Selkon says the Clinical Aesthetic Network New Zealand (CANNZ) and NZ Aesthetic Nurses Association (NZANA) have credentials showing their nurses are trained and audited.<\/p>\n
Before going under the knife (or needle), Selkon recommends booking a consultation where you can ask questions, including seeing before-and-after photos.<\/p>\n
\u201c[People] do need to realise that every procedure may have complications and side effects and [practitioners should] make sure you are aware of these. Ask how the practitioner will deal with this should it happen,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
Selkon believes New Zealand needs to improve training, monitoring and patient care in aesthetics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Australia they have a body that covers all cosmetic medicine practitioners. We need the same thing here to ensure that all healthcare providers have the same training and patient-centred approach,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
In the event of an emergency, \u201cAll practitioners should have full medical resuscitation equipment on site and know how to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Next?<\/p>\n
Selkon predicts that as research develops around ageing, new drugs, products and techniques will come to the fore. <\/p>\n
\u201cGen Y [Millennials] onwards have mostly looked after their skin much better than Gen X and Baby Boomers did \u2013 so they will automatically age better,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
While surgical techniques will continue to advance, Selkon predicts non-surgical body treatments will hit their peak, with targeted treatments for wrinkly arms, decolletage and buttocks continuing to evolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cBatwing and buttock treatments are up-and-coming. While they\u2019re not as frequently asked for in Aotearoa as they are overseas, they are still becoming popular,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
Selkon says it\u2019s important not to fall prey to fleeting aesthetic trends. <\/p>\n
\u201c10 years ago big cheeks, big lips were all in, now we\u2019ve reverted to a much more natural look,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the women who had permanent filler or cheek implants 10 years ago are now regretting that and having them removed.\u201d<\/p>\n
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