Increasingly in many countries around the world, including Australia and New Zealand, people are resorting to cosmetic surgery to increase their personal appeal. They should be aware that surgery of any kind carries risks and may result in a burden to the country's public health system. In addition, the desired cosmetic result may not be achieved.
In both Australia and New Zealand there is no systematic gathering of data about cosmetic surgery, nor about the risks posed by this kind of procedure. In many cases, patients demand this kind of surgery without proper knowledge of the risks and consequences that it involves.
Because it can be cheaper overseas, many Australian women — and some men — travel to Asian countries to have cosmetic surgery. According to some estimates, more than 15,000 Australians head overseas every year to have this kind of procedure, particularly in Thailand.