The gory social media trend fuelling a surge in cosmetic tourism in Turkey
Australians are increasingly traveling to Turkey for affordable cosmetic surgery, a trend fueled by social media influencers documenting their recovery journeys. Medical professionals are concerned about the rise in post-surgical complications and the strain these cases place on the domestic healthcare system.
Why it matters
The rise of 'cosmetic tourism' creates significant public health risks and highlights the influence of social media trends on medical decision-making.
While Australians increasingly film their post-op journeys for millions of views, doctors are scrambling to build a national database to measure the strain botched overseas surgeries are placing on our healthcare system.
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Share A A A Joanne McGinniss always hated the excess skin on her neck.
At the hairdresser, she felt self-conscious when the salon cape was fastened snugly, gathering the loose skin underneath her chin.
“I hated looking in the mirror,” she said. “My biggest insecurity was my neck.”
Joanne McGinniss paid $18,000 for extensive cosmetic surgery in Turkey. She is far from alone. In February this year, for her 45th birthday, McGinniss boarded a plane to Turkey.
The purpose of the trip? “Getting snatched,” she said.
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