Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Tunisia

MyMediTravel has teamed up with Doctors, Surgeons, and Clinics to offer you a fabulous selection of Plastic and Cosmetic surgery procedures. Many of our customers shared the same opinion that Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery were actually the same. So what is the difference? While both plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery aim to improve a patient’s body, there are differences:

Plastic Surgery is reconstructive surgery aimed at reconstructing the burnt, cut, or damaged part of the body. Functional abnormalities due to accidents, burns, injuries, cancers, fractures, tumors, medical impairments, congenital defects including cleft palate, cleft lip, spina bifida, etc., fractured body parts are also treated under plastic surgery. The most common reconstructive procedure is the redevelopment of removed breasts in cancer patients, hand surgery, and the removal of tumors.

Cosmetic surgery or aesthetic surgery is involved in enhancing your physical beauty. It is not for the treatment of any disease or ailment. Your physical appearance is changed according to your desire by performing surgery. Facial features are altered by reshaping of the nose, chin implants, lip implants, brow lifting, eyelid lifting, and face lifting. Butt implants, breast implants, breast lift. and neck contouring is also prevalent. The likes of liposuction and Tummy Tucks also fall under this category.

Plastic Surgery Treatments

The procedures vary according to the purpose for which surgery is being performed. The following are some of the procedures used in plastic surgery:

• Skin Grafting involves taking a healthy piece of skin from a Donor Site and implanting onto a damaged Recipient Site. 
• Flap Surgery, in this type of plastic surgery a piece of flesh is transferred from one body part to the other. This piece of tissue carries its own blood supply and heals faster. It is used to treat the more complicated type of disorders.
• Tissue Expansion, as the name indicates, the body grows extra tissue by the extension of the surrounding skin. A device called an expander is used in this method. It is a balloon-like machine that is inserted under the skin near the defected area which needs to be repaired. This is filled with saltwater allowing the skin to expand and grow.
• Microsurgery, in this technique, very small sutures are used to connect arteries, veins, and nerves in the transplanted tissue. It makes the healing process rapid.   

Length of Stay in Tunisia

This also depends upon the type of surgery being performed. Complex surgeries require a long stay in the hospital. For example, if someone is going through reconstructive surgery for burns, the duration of stay in the hospital depends upon the percentage of the burnt area. It is referred to as total body surface area burnt (TBSA%). In cases of severe burns, the stay is longer. For breast tumor removal two methods are used. In a lumpectomy, only the tumor along with some surrounding tissue is removed and the patient is discharged the same day. While in the case of mastectomy, the whole breast tissue is removed leaving the chest flat. It requires an overnight stay at the hospital. 2 days are needed if the breasts are reconstructed after the removal of the tumor. Similarly, different cosmetic surgeries require a different stay at hospital time. Butt lift surgery demands variable time which depends on your pain tolerance and healing speed. But in most cases, a minimum of 10-14 days post-op stay in Tunisia is required for the removal of stitches and for follow up checks, etc.

Recovery Time

This too depends upon the type of surgery performed. It is advised to give yourself plenty of time for recovery. This will make you happy if you recover in less than the estimated time. In the case of a breast transplant, you can return to work after 5-7 days. In three months, the swelling subsides and the breasts get proper size and shape. Butt lift surgery demands four months for complete recovery. Liposuction has varying recovery times, depending on the area of the body from which fat is removed. Vaginal rejuvenation requires 3 to 6 weeks for recovery in which you need to abstain from sexual intercourse. Rhinoplasty shows an early setting within one month. However, complete results are seen after 1 year. Facelift and eyelid surgery requires 2 to 3 week recovery time.

Success Rate

Plastic surgeries are not always successful. Physical conditions of a patient are considered before undergoing surgery, and those with the least health risks are allowed to go through the operation. The success rate is higher if the subject is fit, both physically and mentally. Although the success rate is high, surgery can still go wrong. In the case of plastic surgery gone wrong, your body might become de-shaped, but surgeons are well equipped and well experienced enough to correct this as quickly as possible, which is why you must not fly home immediately after surgery.

Aftercare

Plastic surgery is a wide field, with many operations coming under this category, and aftercare for every surgery is different. Following are some tips for aftercare:

1. Visit your doctor on a regular basis and follow his/her guidelines.
2. Make sure that you have someone with you because recovery can take some time.
3. Ask your doctor about a healthy diet plan. Eat nutritious food according to that plan.
4. Take some days off work. Take rest and avoid un-necessary exercise and movement.
5. Drink a lot of water.
6. Do not take medicines on your own because some pain killers can increase inflammation.

Alternatives to Plastic Surgery

• Microdermabrasion: in this method, fine crystals are rapidly sprayed onto the skin removing superficial dead skin layer.
• Botox: Botulinum Toxin is injected into the skin which temporarily paralyzes your muscles causing skin lines and wrinkles.
• CoolSculpting: This technique works by freezing the adipocytes present under your skin. These are crystallized and ultimately killed. After that, your body will digest them leaving fat free skin.
• Ultherapy: This involves using ultrasound energy for skin tightening giving smooth and healthy skin.
• Facial Fillers: these are long term, short term, or permanent fillers. Which improves your skin quality without surgery.
• Bio Stimulators: these are the boosters of collagen production. Increased collagen gives tight and youthful skin.

In the case of reconstructive surgery, breast prostheses may be considered an alternative to breast implants. Prostheses are an artificial body part. Artificial breasts are worn inside a suitable bra giving the appearance of natural breasts. It is useful for those who do not want to go for reconstructive surgery.  

Before and After

The visible difference is seen before and after going through plastic surgery. In reconstructive surgeries, your body parts are reconstructed such as breasts. While in cosmetic surgery your physical appearance is altered.

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in and around Tunisia

About Tunisia

Tunisia is one of the few countries which can cater to everyone and it manages to combine climate, golden beaches, history, and shopping for an “all-around” experience. It has a high standard of healthcare and an excellent reputation for cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic and plastic surgeons are regulated by the Tunisian Ministry of Health and the private clinics have state-of-the-art equipment and English-speaking staff. Tunisia welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of whom travel for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from Europe and neighboring African countries with an inferior healthcare system. Popular medical tourism destinations outside of the capital, Tunis, include Sousse and Mahdia

Popular Parts of Tunisia

• Tunis, the country’s capital, is overflowing with a history that dates from the 4th Century BC. The city is divided into two parts, the old city known as the medina and the new city (or Ville nouvelle in French). Many tourists visit Tunis to see the Archaeological Site of Carthage which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful Islamic architecture in medina also attracts many tourists to the city.
• Tozeur is known as a home to an enchanting desert oasis, which was a place to rest and refuel for caravans crossing the Sahara. Another main attraction in the city is the medina, where tourists can find lines of beautiful brick-patterned traditional dessert houses. Chott el Djerid, Sahara’s largest salt pan, is a popular day-trip destination.
• Sousse is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It offers good beaches with a clear blue sea. The city has been fought over by the Romans, Arabs, and Europeans, giving it a colorful history and culture. Sousse Archeological Museum is one of the most visited sites in the country; it has the second largest collection of mosaics in the world.
• Hammamet is the country’s original tourism resort. The city has beautiful gardens filled with oranges, lemons, and other citrus plants. It also has wonderful sandy beaches with crystal clear water. Just like any other city in Tunisia, this city is also brimming with interesting histories. Sites such as The Gafsa Museum and Bardo Museum will give insights about the Islamic faith and culture.
• Douz, also known as “the gateway to the Sahara.” Tourists who want to experience the Sahara Desert come to this city. Take a camel trip or a 4-wheel-drive into the Sahara or see the Museum of the Sahara that has an interesting collection portraying traditional Saharan life.

Weather and Climate in Tunisia

The North of Tunisia has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and hot summers. The South and inland areas have a tropical desert climate.

The weather is relatively comfortable throughout the year. Summer starts in June and lasts until August. The average temperature is between 28 °C to 32 °C with July and August being the hottest months. The heat is not as bad on the coast because of the seaside breeze. Be aware that July to September is the jellyfish season.

The heat decreases in autumn and the weather is somewhat more comfortable. There are occasional rain showers in September. The temperature in October can be like summer during day time, but cold at night. October has more rain than September. The season lasts for three months from September to November with an average temperature of around 19 °C to 29 °C.

The weather in winter can be uncertain. The average temperature is between 16 °C and 18 °C, but it can drop to 7 °C at night and below 0 °C in highlands and deserts and a clear sky is rare during this season.

Spring comes in March and the temperature can rise to 20 °C. Mornings and nights are cold; there is still a high probability of rains and thunderstorms at the end of this season.  

Getting Around in Tunisia

Tunisia has several international airports. The main airport is Tunic-Carthage International Airport. It has international connections with major European countries and the Middle East. The airport is the hub for Tunisair, Tunisair Express, and Nouvelair. Other airports that have international flights are Enfidha-Hammamet, Monastir Habib Bourguiba, Djerba-Zarzis, and Tabarka-Aïn Draham.

Taxis and buses are available to get to the city center from Tunis Airport. The SNT bus line departs every 30 minutes from the airport, the ticket costs less than 1 TND. There is also the TUT bus which departs every 15 minutes and is more luxurious and expensive.

Airport taxis are available at the airport taxi stand and are usually metered. Always make sure that the driver turns the meter on before riding the taxis. A journey to the city should cost around 5 TND. An extra cost will be added if you have baggage.

Getting around in Tunisia can be done by several transportation modes. Tunisair Express provides domestic flights between Tunis, Tozeur, Djerba, and Gabes. The Train is also available and the national train company in the country is SNCFT that runs modern and comfortable trains from Tunis to Sousse, Sfax, and Monastir. There are three classes of service that tourists can choose. The fare from Tunis to Sousse is between 6 to 10 TND. The long-distance bus is an economical option to travel between big cities such as Tunis, Hammamet, and Nabeul. The buses usually depart every 30 minutes.

Tourist Visas in Tunisia

Citizens of 97 countries (including Australia, China Singapore, the United States, and Russia) can visit and stay in Tunisia for up to 90 days without a visa. Other nationalities are advised to check with their local Tunisia embassy. Tunisia provides an online visa application for nationalities that needs a visa to enter. The eVisa will simplify the process of obtaining travel authorization to enter the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND). 1 USD converts to 2.61 TND.

2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found in most cities and in all tourist areas. Many ATMs have withdrawal limits of 400 TND. Credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) are accepted in major cities and tourist areas. They can be used for shops, car hire, or top-end accommodation. Always make sure to carry cash if you want to travel outside major cities. Tipping is not necessary but will be appreciated.

3. Local Language: Arabic is the official language of Tunisia. French is very common due to the country’s former status as a French protectorate. English is still very limited except in the tourist areas and expensive hotels.

4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam is the major religion with 98% of the population identified as Muslim. There is a small group of Christian and Jews. Since most of the population is Muslim, always remember that the dress code is important in Tunisia.

5. Public Holidays: Tunisia celebrates major Islam holidays. The country hosts several annual festivals throughout the year such as The International Festival of the Sahara, Yasmine Hammamet Festival, and the International Festival of Carthage.