Plastic Surgery in Tunisia from Abroad: Step-by-Step Guide

Planning cosmetic surgery from abroad: what is different

Clinique Pasteur Tunis, in the Centre Urbain Nord, welcomes patients from North Africa, Europe, Africa and the Gulf countries, including for cosmetic and plastic surgery. When you live far from Tunis, the medical project itself is the same, but it is organised differently: much of the communication takes place remotely, the time you spend in Tunisia is limited, and you need to think from the start about travel, accommodation, recovery and follow-up once you are back home.

This article walks you through that journey step by step, as described on our “International patients” page. For the project itself (motivation, consultation, medical preparation), you can read our article “Cosmetic Surgery in Tunisia: Planning Your Project” in the Health advice section. The information below remains general: only your surgeon and the anaesthesia team can adapt it to your situation.

Step one: the online quote request

Everything starts with the quote request form on the website. You do not need to travel for this step: you describe your project and attach your documents directly to the form (PDFs, photos, text documents and even DICOM medical images). The more precise your request, the more useful the review of your file will be.

For a cosmetic surgery request, it helps to include:

• the procedure you are considering and what bothers you, in your own words;
• your medical and surgical history, including any previous cosmetic surgery;
• a list of your current treatments and any known allergies;
• your recent medical reports and test results;
• if you wish, photos of the area concerned, which help the surgeon understand your request;
• the period when you could travel, and whether a relative will come with you.

Step two: file review and quote

Your file is reviewed by the relevant specialist, in this case a plastic surgeon, who may ask for further details or additional documents before giving an opinion. Our patient services team then sends you a detailed, free and no-obligation quote. Your medical documents are handled with strict confidentiality.

Take the time to read the quote and ask your questions before booking anything. Keep in mind that an opinion given on the basis of documents does not replace an examination: the in-person consultation with the surgeon remains essential. It confirms that the procedure is suitable for you, and it may lead the surgeon to adjust the plan or advise against a procedure.

Step three: planning your stay in Tunis

Once the plan is confirmed, the dates of your consultation, tests and procedure are set with you. They are grouped together as far as possible to keep your stay short. Our patient services team also helps you book accommodation close to the clinic for you and your companions, and arranges your transport between the airport, your accommodation and the clinic. The clinic is a few minutes from Tunis-Carthage international airport.

Before booking your trip, a few points deserve your attention:

• depending on your nationality, you may need a visa: check with the Tunisian embassy or consulate in your country;
• plan a stay long enough to include the consultation before the procedure and the check-ups after it: your surgeon will tell you the recommended length;
• ask your surgeon when you will be able to fly again before choosing the date of your return flight;
• bring your passport or ID, your medical reports, your test and imaging results, and the list of your treatments;
• pack loose, easy-to-wear clothes, especially if a compression garment is prescribed after the procedure.

Step four: your care at the clinic

On arrival, you are welcomed at the clinic in French, Arabic or English. The consultation with the plastic surgeon is an opportunity to review your request together, examine the area concerned and confirm the technique. The anaesthesia consultation takes place before the procedure: it is the time to mention your treatments and medical history again. Preparation instructions, such as fasting, are those given to you personally by the team.

The procedure takes place in the operating theatre. Depending on the procedure, you return to your accommodation the same day or stay in hospital for a few days, in a room suited to your needs. The nursing team monitors your recovery from anaesthesia, manages pain and helps you get up early.

Step five: recovery and going home

The first days after cosmetic surgery often bring swelling, sometimes bruising and temporary tiredness. If your stay continues after discharge, use this time to rest: swimming, sun exposure and physical effort are often discouraged for a while, and your surgeon will tell you what is possible and when. The check-ups planned before you leave make sure that healing is progressing well.

You leave with your medical report and follow-up instructions. Keep these documents: they will be useful to the doctor who follows you near home. The team remains available after your return to answer your questions. If you notice anything unusual (fever, increasing pain, redness or discharge from a scar), contact your surgeon or see a doctor near you promptly.

The most requested cosmetic procedures

The Cosmetic surgery section of the website describes each procedure in detail: principle, how it is performed, recovery and frequently asked questions. Among the most common requests from patients coming from abroad are rhinoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentation or reduction, fat grafting including the BBL (buttock fat transfer), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and facelift. Several of these procedures also have a dedicated article in our Health advice section.

If you are unsure which procedure suits you, simply describe what bothers you in your quote request: the surgeon will guide you towards what fits your situation, or explain why a procedure is not advisable.

Frequently asked questions

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