Plastic and cosmetic surgery in Denmark, or “plastik og kosmetisk
kirurgi”, as it is termed in local parlance, is gaining increasing
popularity in the country. It is, but one, of the myriad manifestations
of the health and fitness drive. The economic boom witnessed by the
country, in the past few years, has also made the affordability factor
less of a consideration. Indulgence in cosmetic beautification has
gripped the young and elderly, both men and women, and touched towns,
cities and the countryside, all alike.

Already about 320,000 Danes
have been under the knife, in other words, 8 % of the total adult
population of Denmark – and the numbers are projected to rise even
further. Latest research indicates a 20 % to 30 % projected increase in
the coming years of the number of Danes looking for cosmetic surgery.
Interestingly, every fifth female over the age of 17 is actively
considering getting cosmetic surgery done, whereas every tenth female
has already had cosmetic surgery done. Eighty percent of all Danes find
the notion of cosmetic surgery fully acceptable. At present, about
30,000 cosmetic surgeries, per annum, are performed nationwide.

What
is even more fascinating is that men account for a significant
proportion of all cosmetic surgeries performed in Denmark. Every third
Dane who has undergone or is contemplating cosmetic surgery is a male.
Five percent of the adult Danish male population, about 100,000 has been
under the knife, and 15% to 25% of the patients at plastic and cosmetic
surgery clinics are indeed male, many of whom are the metrosexual
varieties.

The types of plastic and cosmetic surgeries in Denmark
that generate the greatest patient interest are related to the breast
treatments, eyelids, nose, liposuction, laser hair removal, abdomen and
stomach, and last but not least, face-lifts.

The surge in interest
in cosmetic surgeries is putting pressure on the Danish public
healthcare system in a number of ways: (i) the brightest of plastic and
cosmetic surgeons are defecting into private practice, thus reducing the
talent pool within the public domain; and (ii) the costs of certain
plastic and cosmetic surgeries performed in private hospitals are still
being paid for by the public system – such as eyelid surgery, breast
reduction and obesity surgery, where patients can easily claim that
surgery is necessary to the healthy functioning of the body, and not
due to any cosmetic concerns. According to Danish law, all cosmetic
surgeries are to be financed privately by individuals, however, this
grey zone of interpreting what is cosmetic versus what is essential to
the healthy functioning of the body, has begun to tax the Danish public
budget. Given the recent increase in the interest in cosmetic surgery,
this problem is bound to worsen. In all likelihood, the Danish public
healthcare system will have to put its foot down and refuse paying for
such grey zone surgeries. If this happens, clearly, the demand for
cosmetic surgeries at private hospitals will further rise, and hence, as
will the waiting periods. To illustrate, one of the most famous private
hospitals in Copenhagen, Hamlet Privathospital, has increased its
revenues from cosmetic surgery three-fold in the past six years.
However, the waiting period, in certain cases at private hospitals, can
be as long as two-and-a-half months, from initial consultation to actual
treatment.

Traditionally, cosmetic surgery has never been fully
covered, if at all, by medical insurance, whether in Denmark or in most
parts of the world. And, therefore, as is common knowledge, it can be
an expensive undertaking. The cost of plastic and cosmetic surgery in
Denmark is expensive. To quote a few examples of private hospital
prices:

(i) Eyelid Surgery: ranges from DKK 7,000 to DKK 13,000 (USD 1,100 to USD 2,100)

(ii) Breast reconstruction: the surgery can cost from anywhere upwards of DKK 65,000 (USD 10,800);

(iii) Liposuction of the stomach: DKK 21,500 (USD 3,500);

(iv) Laser Hair Removal: DKK 12,000 (USD 2000)

(v) Hair Transplant: ranges from DKK 40,000 to DKK 350,000 (USD 6,600 to USD 58,000)

High
cost of plastic and cosmetic surgery and significant waiting periods,
has led to a notable growth in medical travel to other countries where
the cost of the same treatment is lower and, therefore, more affordable
for Danes. Popular treatment destinations include Turkey, Poland and
Hungary. An increasing number of Danes have also now begun traveling to
Asia, where they can draw the benefits of both excellent surgical
treatment at the most competitive rates, combined with the option of
making the trip a leisure and holiday journey. Now, given the waiting
lists for cosmetic surgery even at private hospitals in Denmark, it is
only natural for Danes to continue traveling abroad for treatment.

India
may well be the next destination for medical tourists from Denmark.
Cost of medical treatment in India for foreigners is one of the cheapest
in the world, if not the most competitive. In Asia, it surpasses the
cost advantages of even Thailand and Singapore. Quality of treatment is
world-class, second to none, and at par, if not superior, in cases, to
treatment available in the United States and the United Kingdom. In
2002, the number of foreign patients who traveled to India for treatment
was 150,000. In 2005, the same figure was close to 500,000. Travel to
India for medical treatment is gaining momentum – India is a
fast-growing centre for tourism offering the wonders of resplendent
cultural richness with the magic of India’s natural beauty. Patients
are now also able to combine travel to India for medical treatment with a
uniquely fulfilling holiday.

For more information on medical tourism to India, please consult the information below.

Important Details:

Poonam Mathur – Denmark Consultant: mathur@forerunnershealthcare.com

Medical Tourism to India: http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

International Patient Experiences: http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com/international.php

Contact Number: Mobile: +45 2986 2501; +45 39 67 03 97