MUSCAT – The study, conducted by the Directorate General of Khoula Hospital, reviewed cases between January 2013 and December 2023 and identified 191 patients who required 488 treatment visits after undergoing aesthetic procedures outside the Sultanate. Many of these cases involved serious post-surgical complications that placed additional strain on the local healthcare system.
According to the findings, the most common procedures performed overseas were abdominoplasty (50.8%), liposuction (29.3%), and breast surgeries (17.8%), with patients most frequently traveling to Iran, followed by India and Thailand.
The study revealed that wound infections were the most prevalent complication (36.1%), followed by fluid accumulation (20.4%), cellulitis (11%), and abscesses (5.8%). In more severe cases, patients required admission to intensive care units, reconstructive surgeries, and extended hospital stays. Nearly half of admitted patients required further surgical intervention, while around 20% needed critical care.
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Health officials said the findings highlight the significant burden that complications from medical tourism place on Oman’s healthcare system, including emergency services, hospital admissions, and repeat surgeries.
The research, titled “Paying the Price for Beauty Abroad: Khoula Hospital’s Experience with Complications Following Aesthetic Procedures Performed Overseas (2013–2023),” is the first of its kind to document the scale and nature of such complications among Omani patients.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the need for greater public awareness of the risks associated with cosmetic procedures abroad and called for structured pre-travel counselling to help patients make informed decisions. It also urged individuals to choose accredited medical facilities and qualified surgeons when seeking treatment overseas.
Officials further recommended strengthening regulations related to medical tourism, improving post-treatment follow-up systems, and enhancing infection prevention measures to reduce avoidable complications.
The ministry reiterated that while cosmetic procedures may appear more accessible abroad, patients should carefully weigh potential risks, as complications can lead to serious health consequences and prolonged medical care upon their return to Oman.
