'I flew overseas for breast implants. As soon as I got home, I ended up in emergency.'

In 2012, years after having medical breast implant surgery to correct asymmetry, Megan* noticed a new sort of asymmetry had developed — one side sat high, while the other had naturally dropped with time. 

To Megan, the difference felt stark.

But when she returned to her original surgeon, she was told any further surgery would be considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by any Medicare rebates.

The quote was out of reach, but she couldn't ignore the way she felt. 

So, she started looking outside of Australia. There were a few options, but she eventually settled on Thailand.

Watch: Garett and his mum Dalene on getting cosmetic surgery in Türkiye. Article continues after the video.

"Even with flights and accommodation, it was cheaper than getting it done here," Megan says. The organisation made it sound easy — flights, surgery, accommodation, recovery, all tied up in a neat little package.

"From the first moment I spoke to the sales rep, I felt heard. They really sold the dream."

But once she arrived in Thailand, Megan's confidence started to waver. 

"You don't meet the surgeon until right before surgery. And the minute he looked at me, I could tell it wasn't straightforward. He said they'd have to use different-sized implants and make a call during surgery."

That would cost an extra $1000, but Megan was prepared to pay the price for a higher-quality job. 

The surgery itself went smoothly. "I can't fault the hospital care. The room was high-end, the nurses were amazing."

But within days, after joining some of the tourist activities the package encouraged, she noticed her wound wasn't healing properly. "The dressing came off, and it just didn't look right. The nurse seemed concerned, but the surgeon wasn't too worried. He just gave me more meds."

Then came the vomiting, the sweats, and the unbearable sickness. "I thought I'd just eaten something bad. I didn't connect it to the surgery. I just wanted to get home."

"Looking back, I don't know how I survived that flight. I was so unwell and probably delirious."

Within days of arriving home, Megan knew something was wrong. "The wound smelled awful. I could see it going gangrenous. I reached out to the company, sent photos to the surgeon, but it was clearly getting worse."

Eventually, she told her parents and headed to emergency. "You have to explain your story over and over again — to the triage nurse, the admissions team, the doctor. It was heartbreaking every time I said it out loud."

Megan had a bad infection, and an ultrasound revealed a mass they believed could be cancerous. 

"They couldn't do anything until the infection was under control. I was told they might need to remove the implant. It was all too much."

She was referred to Dr Lily Vrtik at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. "Lily came in late that night. She looked at me and said, 'I don't know if we can save your breast, but I'm prepared to try.' She didn't sugar-coat anything. That's exactly what I needed."

In 2018, after years of discomfort, she returned to Dr Vrtik for revision surgery. "It was a two-step plan. First, she removed the original implants and inserted new ones. Then we went back a few months later for a lift and a muscle graft. She handled it with so much care. I trusted her completely."

Now 45, she says she's finally at peace with her body. "Back then, I thought I had to look a certain way to be loved. That idea doesn't hold power over me anymore."

"We can't always fix the cosmetic outcome."

Dr Vrtik, who is also the President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, says Australians are being sold a fantasy when it comes to medical tourism. 

"The cost is lower overseas because the safeguards aren't there. There's no mandatory psychological screening, no GP referrals, no cooling-off period," she says. 

"We've seen everything from ghost surgeons to unapproved implants and antibiotic-resistant infections."

Flying home too soon can also be dangerous, she says. 

"Air travel within days of surgery increases the risk of blood clots. We tell patients to wait six to eight weeks."

But the biggest issue is what happens if something goes wrong. "We often don't know what was done, what materials were used, or what technique. It makes fixing things very complex."

Patients often return with shame and regret. "Some are angry, some are scared. Many can't afford private care and come through the public system. We can treat infections, but we can't always fix the cosmetic outcome."

'I felt really confident.'

That doesn't mean all overseas cosmetic procedures are a disaster. For Kerry*, who travelled to Thailand for rhinoplasty, things went a little more smoothly. 

"I'd always been self-conscious about my nose. I figured, if I'm ever going to do it, it should be before my wedding."

She did her homework – reading reviews, joining Facebook groups, and asking questions. 

Flying home too soon after surgery can be dangerous. Image: Getty.

"I didn't book until I felt really confident."

Post-surgery, the recovery was tough. "I was groggy, swollen, and emotional. The nurses were lovely, but being alone in a hotel room wasn't easy."

Kerry stayed in Thailand for ten days before flying home. "By then, most of the swelling had gone down. But I definitely missed home comforts."

Despite the surgery being a success, when she later decided to have breast augmentation, she chose to stay local.

"Bythen I had kids. I didn't want to be alone during recovery. I wanted to be able to call my doctor if anything felt off."

The difference in care was stark. "At home, it felt personal. The surgeon knew me, understood my goals, and was just a phone call away."

She's happy with both surgeries, but says it's important to look beyond the procedure itself.

"Do your research. Think beyond the surgery. What happens if you're in pain at 3am? What if something feels wrong?"

'There's so much shame.'

Despite the risks, cosmetic tourism is booming, with Australians estimated to spend $300 million a year on it.

"Social media is full of influencers showing off beachside recoveries and perfect results. But no one shows the complications.

"There's so much shame. You don't just have to admit the surgery went badly — you have to admit you had it in the first place."

That silence almost broke Megan.

"For a long time, I felt like an idiot. I carried so much shame. But I'm not hiding anymore. If sharing this helps even one person, it's worth it."

Kevin Skeen, Director and Co-Founder of Australian cosmetic surgery provider MINKST, understands the appeal of overseas procedures — especially in destinations like Thailand, where skilled surgeons and modern facilities can offer quality care at a lower price point. But he says, even the most successful surgeries come with risks.

"Complications like implant displacement or rotation can happen anywhere," he says. "If you're already home when something goes wrong, you're looking at the cost and hassle of flying back or trying to find a surgeon locally who's willing to take on someone else's work."

He stresses the importance of factoring in hidden costs — flights, accommodation, exchange rates, and follow-up appointments — when comparing overseas deals to local surgery.

"You've got to do your research. Know who your surgeon is, what their credentials are, and what kind of follow-up care is available. Telehealth can be helpful, but it's no substitute for being face-to-face when something doesn't feel right."

Ultimately, Kevin says the right decision depends on your priorities. "For some, the savings are worth it. For others, staying local gives them the peace of mind they need."

If you're considering surgery—here or overseas—ask yourself:

• Why am I doing this?

• Is this the right time?

• Is the surgeon qualified?

• Is the facility safe?

• What happens if something goes wrong?

Dr Vrtik says choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in Australia is the safest path.

"Our surgeons undergo rigorous training, are held to strict ethical standards, and work in accredited facilities."

"In Australia, you're a patient. Overseas, you're a customer. That distinction matters."

*names have been changed.

Feature image: Getty.