Beauty from Afar: A Medical Tourist's Guide to Affordable and Quality Cosmetic Care Outside the U.S. [Paperback]

Jeff Schult (Author), Curtis Schroeder (Afterword), John Corey (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

A nip here, a tuck there. Less fat on the belly, butt, and thighs. More than half of all American adults admit they wouldn't mind looking "a little more perfect"-if they could afford the high price of plastic surgery. Now they can, by joining the flocks of medical tourists who are venturing to exotic overseas locales for cosmetic procedures that are equal to or better than those provided by the best doctors in Beverly Hills for as little as 10 percent of the cost.

It's how journalist Jeff Schult got his new smile, and he was so impressed with his experience that he went on to investigate the medical tourist industry and top medical centers from Costa Rica to Brazil to Thailand. The result is Beauty from Afar, a guide that offers consumers the pros and cons of traveling abroad for cosmetic or other elective surgeries. Readers will get the facts on the locations, the doctors, and the facilities, as well as the spa-like resorts where patients recover. The book also offers guidelines on how to do your own research, interview prospective surgeons, and get information about hospitals and amenities-what to expect every step of the way, even when you're back home. Beauty from Afar gives new meaning to the idea of going on vacation and coming back renewed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Schult has been writing about his personal experiences (among other things) for more than 20 years as a journalist in southern New England. He lives in Seymour, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang; 1st edition (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584794860
• ISBN-13: 978-1584794868
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,190,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been a journalist for most of the last 25 years; my first book, "Beauty from Afar," was published in June '06 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang of New York. The book is about the phenomenon of people traveling abroad for health care and cosmetic surgery and other procedures.

I'm proud of "BFA" and am planning to release an updated version as an eBook.

In 2011, I'm working on a book about dating and sexual culture in America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best most comprehensive guide to medical tourism!, September 21, 2006

By 

Didi Carr Reuben (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beauty from Afar: A Medical Tourist's Guide to Affordable and Quality Cosmetic Care Outside the U.S. (Paperback)

Jeff Schult's new book Beauty from Afar is the best most comprehensive guide book on medical tourism I've ever seen. I love the layout of the book. Very easy to read, and to find information. Mr. Schult has a wonderful way of writing that holds your interest while offering invaluable information about medical tourism. He's not biased toward or against one country or doctor over another. He takes a neutral position and simply shares the knowledge he has garnered over several years of intense research. I've recommended this book to all my friends and family members, particularly the ones who I happen to know, are seriously considering going out of the United States for plastic surgery or dental work. I give this book BOTH of my thumbs way way up!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and informative, September 20, 2006

By 

Rebecca L. Bozart (St. Helens, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beauty from Afar: A Medical Tourist's Guide to Affordable and Quality Cosmetic Care Outside the U.S. (Paperback)

I was pleased to read "Beauty from Afar". I was at a conference where the author spoke before the book came out and I was eagerly waiting for it. I have been to Brazil twice for plastic surgery and think the book has a lot of good information for those who are considering surgery out of the country. Medical tourism will keep being more popular as people realize that we are not the only country in the world to provide excellent medical care, and that the only way to afford what you need to have done may be to go abroad. Jeff Shult's book tells you what to look for, what to watch out for, and how to choose where to go. He gives a lot of information from people he's personally talked to or visited, so you can trust the information. Some books and articles on the subject are just rehashing what someone found on the Internet. This book actually gives you REAl information from someone who's been there (Costa Rica for dentistry). I highly recommend it as the best one out there of its type.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks to this book, I'm on my way to Brazil!, April 9, 2007

By 

One Reader (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty from Afar: A Medical Tourist's Guide to Affordable and Quality Cosmetic Care Outside the U.S. (Paperback)

In a few months I will be flying to Vitoria, Brazil for a "total body" makeover with Dr. Fabio Zamprogno Mendes ([...]) thanks to Jeff's book on medical tourism (I'll write back in September and share the results!) After reading the book I had complete confidence to travel outside the U.S. for plastic surgery and the tools to adequately research everything I needed to know to make my trip a success. It's interesting that you may know one or two people who have gone to a U.S. plastic surgeon but the foreign docs have forums where all patients share. I know much more about my foreign doctor and what his patients think of him than I did with any plastic surgeon in the U.S. I can have everything done that I've dreamed of and afford it. My bill will be 60 to 70% cheaper than what I would pay here. By all means, read Jeff's book and embark on the make-over journey you have always wanted!