Sun, sightseeing and plastic surgery

By Jack Izzard
BBC News, Budapest

More and more people are travelling abroad for surgery

It might not trip off the tongue like some holiday slogans. But more tourists than ever are being tempted by holidays offering sun, sightseeing and surgery.

It's called healthcare tourism - going abroad for private treatment.

Dentists in eastern Europe were the first to attract British patients for teeth whitening and other cosmetic work.

But now plastic surgeons are following suit - offering bargain breast implants and other procedures.

The Kontur Clinic in Budapest has been in business for 15 years, although until now its clients have mostly been Hungarian.

'Huge' price difference

But in the last year more than 100 British people went under the knife in its pristine operating theatre.

Surgeon Dr Gyula Laszlo says most are attracted by the low prices.

Breast enlargement costs about £2,000 and a facelift £1,700 - a fraction of what it would in the UK.

The Kontur Clinic has been in business for 15 years

Debi Robinson from Middlesbrough paid £2,500 to have loose skin removed from her belly and arms.

Even adding the cost of accommodation and a return flight from Britain, she still paid less than a third of the British price for the work.

She said: "The difference in price was huge. I would have to have saved up for ages to get it done in Britain. In Budapest I was able to have the surgery and stay on for a short holiday - for less money."

Debi found the clinic through Perfect Contours, an agency which markets the clinic to British and German patients.

Talented surgeons

Its founder, Annette von Gotzen, first spotted a niche in the market when she saw the huge difference in surgery prices across Europe.

"Doctors, nurses and anaesthetists all charge less for their time in Hungary. So you can get the same level of care for much less money.

More than 100 Britons went to the Kontur Clinic in the past year

"The facilities and techniques used are the same as in western Europe."

Her company only uses experienced surgeons who have internationally recognised qualifications.

Dr Barbara Jemec from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons agrees there are some very talented surgeons in eastern Europe.

But she cautions anyone thinking about having surgery abroad to check that the surgeon is properly registered with their country's medical regulatory body.

She adds: "But it's not just about the quality of the operation. It's not a good idea to get on a plane right after you've had surgery. And it's difficult to get good post-operative care when your surgeon is a 1,000 miles away."

More affordable

But with eastern European surgeons undercutting those in Britain by such a big margin, the trend will inevitably continue.

Some patients who use this clinic turn their visit into a holiday - and stay on in Hungary after they come out of hospital.

Plastic surgery was once an expensive indulgence restricted to Hollywood film stars.

Now it's becoming more affordable, more people will be tempted to try it - as a way to hang onto, or improve, their looks.