Hello, I'm Dr. Teng (Dr. Apirak Wongsawasup, License 35777), Plastic Surgeon and owner of Aurora Clinic Plastic Surgery Clinic.

If you've decided to invest in yourself through Plastic Surgery, it's a monumental and exciting decision. However, the world of beauty, driven by marketing and massive profits, is rife with unexpected traps and dangers. As a Plastic Surgeon, I have witnessed numerous losses resulting from misconceptions and falling victim to the vicious Plastic Surgery Scams circulating in the industry.

Beauty should never come at the risk of long-term life and safety. This is the principle I uphold. At Aurora Clinic, we emphasize the highest standards, both in our Surat Thani Aesthetic Clinic and Koh Samui Aesthetic Clinic.

Today, I want to expose 5 vicious plastic surgery scams that make me, Dr. Teng, shake my head, so you can protect yourself from losing money, your appearance, and most importantly, your long-term health. This article is the shield you need before deciding to undergo surgery.

I. Introduction: Why Do "Plastic Surgery Scams" Run Rampant? (The Anatomy of Desire and Deception)

The world of Plastic Surgery is not just about beauty; it has a dark side that exploits patients' desires for profit. The wish to look beautiful quickly, cheaply, and exactly like a Fake Surgery Review is the opening for fraudsters to seek gain.

1.1. The Trap of Desire: Why Patients Fall Victim to "Cheap Surgery"

The biggest misunderstanding is comparing Plastic Surgery to ordinary commodities. However, Plastic Surgery is a medical procedure involving anatomy, risk, and expertise. Price competition is therefore the most dangerous factor.

1.1.1. Socioeconomic Factors Driving Risk

• Pressure from Social Media: Seeing numerous Fake Surgery Reviews leads patients to set unrealistic expectations and demand those results at the lowest possible price.

• The Misconception that "Surgery" is a Trend: Patients overlook the importance of Substandard Surgery by focusing on short-term external results rather than long-term safety.

• The Alluring "Cheap Surgery" Strategy: Clinics using Plastic Surgery Scams often use prices far below the market rate to attract patients, at the expense of compromising the quality of materials, facilities, and personnel.

1.2. The Importance of Choosing a Real "Plastic Surgeon"

Before diving into the 5 scams, you must understand the difference between a general practitioner performing surgery and a Plastic Surgeon certified by the Medical Council.

1.2.1. Plastic Surgeon: Mastery of Anatomy and Safety

A Plastic Surgeon must undergo specialized training in plastic surgery, which includes correcting complications and various Failed Surgery cases. Choosing a non-specialist vastly increases the risk of Substandard Surgery.

II. Scam 1: The Empire of "Fake Surgery Reviews" and the Illusion of "Fake Korean Surgery"

This is the most widespread Plastic Surgery Scam in the digital age—creating the illusion that a clinic has world-class expertise or delivers stunning results at an affordable price

2.1. "Fake Surgery Reviews": Building Credibility Unethically

Fake Surgery Reviews are systematically created, from hiring influencers to using photo editing software.

2.1.1. Strategies for Creating a False Image

• Review Farming: Clinics employing Plastic Surgery Scams invest in buying reviews from people who have never had the procedure, or hire "mules" to undergo surgery in exchange for high compensation and permission to use their photos.

• Deceptive Lighting and Angles: Before/After photos are often taken with drastically different lighting and angles. The Before photo may use shadows to emphasize imperfections, while the After photo is taken with bright light and an angle that lifts the face.

• Exaggerated Editing (Photoshop and Filtering): Using editing software to remove swelling or alter proportions unrealistically in Fake Surgery Reviews sets expectations that are impossible to meet, leading to disappointment when Failed Surgery occurs.

2.2. "Fake Korean Surgery": Misrepresenting Credentials

Claiming expertise equivalent to or originating from South Korea is another Plastic Surgery Scam that leverages popularity.

2.2.1. Misappropriating Doctors' Names and Techniques

• The Interpreter as the Doctor: In some cases, there are claims that a foreign doctor performs the surgery, but in reality, the surgeon may be an unskilled Thai doctor, or worse, an Unlicensed Practitioner (Mor Krabao) in disguise.

• Giving Techniques Korean-sounding Names: Naming Plastic Surgery techniques with complex foreign terms, when the actual technique used is a basic, Substandard Surgery technique.

III. Scam 2: The Silent Threat of the "Unlicensed Practitioner" and the Danger of the "Illegal Clinic"

This Plastic Surgery Scam is life-threatening and a primary cause of Failed Surgery and severe complications.

3.1. "Unlicensed Practitioner" (Mor Krabao): Life-Destroyers Without a License

An Unlicensed Practitioner is an individual without a medical license or a doctor with a real license but no specialty in Plastic Surgery, providing services in inappropriate settings.

• 3.1.1. Operating in Substandard Environments

  • Places That Aren't "Illegal Clinics" But Are Dangerous: Performing surgery in homes, condos, or hotels without necessary hygiene control and sterilization systems leads to a severe risk of infection (Sepsis), the ultimate form of Substandard Surgery.

  • Using Substandard Tools: Using unsterilized or reused instruments leads to contamination with various germs and viruses.

3.2. "Illegal Clinic": A Structure Designed to Evade the Law

An Illegal Clinic is a facility operating without permission from the Ministry of Public Health, often established specifically to conduct Plastic Surgery Scams and focus solely on Cheap Surgery.

• 3.2.1. Lack of Emergency Preparedness

  • No Necessary Personnel: Illegal Clinics lack an Anesthesiologist to manage anesthesia, experienced professional nurses, and emergency life support equipment like a Defibrillator. When severe complications occur, such as drug allergies or cardiac arrest, no one can save the patient in time.

IV. Scam 3: The Lifetime Threat of Banned Substances "Liquid Silicone" and "Counterfeit Silicone"

This Plastic Surgery Scam leaves permanent physical and psychological scars—the use of non-medical grade materials.

4.1. "Liquid Silicone": Banned Substances That Permanently Destroy Tissue

Liquid Silicone is a substance that has been banned from Plastic Surgery for decades but is still smuggled in and injected by Unlicensed Practitioners as a Cheap Surgery option for augmentation.

4.1.1. Mechanism of Tissue Destruction and Complications

• Migration and Hardening: Liquid Silicone does not hold its shape but often migrates to other parts of the body. Over time, the body initiates a Foreign Body Reaction, causing chronic inflammation, hardening of tissues into lumps, and permanent deformation.

• Cancer Risk: In the long term, chronic inflammation caused by Liquid Silicone can increase the risk of cancer in the injected area—a Failed Surgery requiring highly complex and dangerous corrective surgery.

4.2. "Counterfeit Silicone": Low-Quality Materials Not Certified by the FDA or local authorities (Thai FDA)

Counterfeit Silicone refers to implants used in surgery (e.g., nose, chin, or breast augmentation) that are not made from Medical-Grade Silicone or lack certification from the FDA or local authority.

4.2.1. Cost Reduction at the Expense of Risk

• Fake Implants: Clinics focused on Cheap Surgery may use Counterfeit Silicone that is many times cheaper than standard silicone, but the material quality is weaker, and the chance of rupture or infection is significantly higher.

• Substandard Shapes: Counterfeit Silicone is often not designed according to anatomical and aesthetic principles, resulting in unnatural outcomes and potential long-term Extrusion (breaking through the skin), requiring urgent Failed Surgery correction.

V. Scam 4: The Trap of "Cheap Surgery" and the Hidden Costs That Follow

Cheap Surgery is the most powerful marketing ploy to lure victims, but you must remember that "nothing good and cheap exists in the world of surgery."

5.1. "Cheap Surgery": Quality Sacrificed in Every Dimension

When you see a Plastic Surgery price significantly lower than competitors, it means the clinic has compromised quality in the following crucial factors:

5.1.1. Compromising Personnel Quality and Safety Standards

• No Anesthesiologist: Clinics prioritizing Cheap Surgery often cut the cost of hiring an Anesthesiologist by having the operating surgeon administer the local or twilight anesthesia themselves, vastly increasing risk in case of drug complications.

• Using Inexperienced Doctors: Hiring recent graduates or general practitioners without experience in Plastic Surgery to perform the operation for lower wages than a certified Plastic Surgeon.

5.1.2. Compromising Material and Facility Quality

• Using Non-Premium Materials: Choosing Counterfeit Silicone or substandard materials instead of premium ones (e.g., poor quality dissolvable threads, or fake fillers/Botox).

• Rushing Surgery Time: Scheduling tight and rushed operating times so the doctor can perform multiple cases per day, leading to doctor fatigue and a significant reduction in surgical precision, resulting in Substandard Surgery.

5.2. Hidden Costs: The Price Tag for Correcting "Failed Surgery"

Saving money initially with Cheap Surgery often leads to much higher costs for correcting Failed Surgery later.

5.2.1. Correction Costs Higher Than the Initial Procedure

• Tissue Damage: When Failed Surgery occurs (e.g., implant extrusion, infection from Liquid Silicone or Counterfeit Silicone), the tissue in that area suffers severe scarring and damage. The correction requires far more complex techniques and costs 2-3 times more than the initial procedure.

VI. Scam 5: Exaggerated Marketing and the Lack of Accountability for "Substandard Surgery"

This Plastic Surgery Scam relates to the clinic's ethical responsibility for undesirable outcomes.

6.1. Over-Promising and Selling Unnecessary Packages

Clinics using Plastic Surgery Scams often employ marketing strategies that focus on selling large packages not designed for the patient's actual problem.

6.1.1. Incorrect Diagnosis for the Sake of Sales

• Trying to Sell Everything: Recommending multiple procedures at once, even when unnecessary, without regard for patient safety (e.g., advising multiple types of Plastic Surgery under general anesthesia in one session, which significantly increases risk).

• Using Guarantee Language: Using phrases like "100% Guaranteed" or "Look like a celebrity," which is untrue in Plastic Surgery, as results are never 100% guaranteed and depend on many factors, including the patient's body response.

6.2. Lack of Accountability When "Failed Surgery" Occurs

When Substandard Surgery or Failed Surgery problems arise, this scam becomes evident in the form of denial of responsibility.

6.2.1. Blaming the Patient and Ignoring Aftercare

• Blaming the Patient: Unethical clinics will attempt to blame the patient for poor aftercare or their body not responding well to the surgery.

• Cutting Off Communication: Ignoring calls or messages from patients experiencing Failed Surgery, forcing the patient to bear the burden of correcting the Substandard Surgery themselves.

VII. The Prevention Guide: 7 Steps to Choose a Safe Plastic Surgeon (The Safety Checklist)

After exposing all the Plastic Surgery Scams, your job is to arm yourself with the correct information to prevent yourself from falling victim to Cheap Surgery and Substandard Surgery.

7.1. Step 1: Verify the Doctor's License (The Gold Standard Check)

• Must be a "Plastic Surgeon": Check the Medical Council's website to see if the doctor has a specialized board certification in Plastic Surgery (my license V.35777 is a Plastic Surgery board certification).

7.2. Step 2: Verify the Clinic's License (The Legal Check)

• The Clinic Must Have a Valid Operating License: Check that the clinic clearly displays its license and is not an Illegal Clinic.

• Facilities Must Be Clean and Hygienic: Observe the overall environment of the clinic, including the operating room, for cleanliness and standards.

7.3. Step 3: Confirm the Authenticity of Implants (The Material Certification)

• Silicone and Fillers Must Be FDA/Thai FDA Approved: Ask for the brand and model name of the Silicone or Filler used and request to check the product box to ensure it is genuine and certified, avoiding Counterfeit Silicone and Liquid Silicone.

• Do Not Proceed if the Material is Hidden: A good clinic will be happy for you to inspect the materials before the operation.

7.4. Step 4: Confirm the Presence of an "Anesthesiologist" (The Life Support Check)

• An Anesthesiologist Must Be Present for All General Anesthesia Cases: If you are having major surgery under general anesthesia, a board-certified Anesthesiologist must supervise you throughout the operation.

7.5. Step 5: Critically Evaluate "Reviews" (The Reality Check)

• Look for Neutral "Reviews": Don't trust staged Fake Surgery Reviews, but look for reviews detailing the journey, feelings during recovery, and long-term results.

• Ask About Complications: An honest doctor will disclose risks and potential complications, not just sell dreams.

7.6. Step 6: Evaluate the Consultation (The Transparency Check)

• The Doctor Must Take Time for Diagnosis: A good Plastic Surgeon will take time to thoroughly assess your anatomy and design a surgery appropriate for you, not just sell a package.

7.7. Step 7: Clarity on "Failed Surgery" Correction Policy (The Accountability Check)

• Ask About the Responsibility Policy: A standard clinic must have a clear policy on post-operative care and the correction of Failed Surgery resulting from medical error.

VIII. The Aurora Clinic Standard: Sustainable Safety (Commitment to Ethical Surgery)

The reason why women choose Aurora Clinic to address their facial concerns is to avoid the risk of fake drugs and facial damage. We only have one face, so we must choose the best for ourselves.

At Aurora Clinic, in both the Surat Thani Aesthetic Clinic and Koh Samui Aesthetic Clinic, we set a standard focused on integrity, safety, and sustainable results, ensuring you avoid all Plastic Surgery Scams.

8.1. Using Certified Technology and Materials

• 100% Premium Grade Materials: We only use implants, fillers, and Botox certified by the Thai FDA and international FDA. There is an absolute zero-tolerance policy for using Counterfeit Silicone or Liquid Silicone.

• Standard Sterile Operating Rooms: All procedures are performed in an environment with maximum hygiene control and sterilization, complete with vital sign monitoring equipment.

8.2. Care by a Genuine Plastic Surgeon

• Holistic Planning: I, Dr. Teng (Dr. Apirak Wongsawasup), diagnose and plan the surgery myself for every case, ensuring technical decisions are precise and best suited to your structure.

• Anesthesiologist for All Necessary Cases: All major procedures requiring general anesthesia are supervised by an experienced Anesthesiologist, ensuring your safety at every second of the surgery.

IX. Conclusion: The Worthwhile Investment is Safety

I'm Dr. Teng (Dr. Apirak Wongsawasup).

I understand that deciding to have Plastic Surgery is one of the biggest investments in your life. Don't let the desire for beauty cloud your judgment and make you a victim of Plastic Surgery Scams.

The cheapest surgery may turn out to be the most expensive surgery of your life if you end up paying the price with pain, infection, and the enormous cost of correcting Failed Surgery.

Use this 7-Step Checklist for Choosing a Plastic Surgeon as your shield, and choose a clinic that prioritizes safety and medical ethics over profit.

If you are ready to begin your journey to safe and sustainable beauty, my team and I at Aurora Clinic in Surat Thani and Koh Samui welcome you and are ready to provide the most honest consultation possible!

Aurora Clinic, Samui Branch ✨

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/auroraclinicsamui

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TEL: 083-629-1446

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Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Aurora Clinic, Surat Thani Branch ✨

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/auroraclinicsurat

Tel: 096-652-0899

Line: @auroraclinic

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MfSBczSYdXZ2xctr9…

Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM N.

We warmly welcome you and are ready to help you achieve your desired beauty and confidence.