For international patients here is a full List of Cosmetic Procedures Available in India (Explained Simply)
A practical, traveler-focused guide to cosmetic and aesthetic procedures offered in India — what they do, who they're for, typical recovery, risks and what to ask your surgeon.
Overview: Cosmetic medicine in India
India offers a broad spectrum of cosmetic services in urban medical centres and private hospitals. Services range from minor non-surgical treatments delivered in outpatient clinics to complex reconstructive and aesthetic procedures performed in NABH-accredited hospitals with full operating theatre and ICU backup. This post lists the procedures commonly sought by international patients, explains what each one achieves, typical recovery expectations, common risks, and suitability guidelines.
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Face procedures
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
Purpose: Reshape the nose for cosmetic balance or functional improvement (e.g., breathing).
Approach: Open or closed rhinoplasty; cartilage reshaping; septoplasty if needed.
Recovery: 1–2 weeks for initial swelling and splint removal; subtle swelling may persist for 6–12 months.
Risks: Bleeding, infection, asymmetry, breathing changes. Revision rates vary; choose a surgeon with specific rhinoplasty experience.
Facelift & neck lift
Purpose: Reduce sagging, restore youthful contours of the lower face and neck.
Approach: SMAS lift, deep-plane lift, mini-lift depending on age and skin laxity.
Recovery: 2–4 weeks for visible recovery; final results settle over 6–12 months.
Risks: Nerve injury (usually temporary), scarring, hematoma. Proper patient selection and experienced anaesthesia are essential.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
Purpose: Remove excess upper or lower eyelid skin/fat to reduce tired appearance and improve field of vision (if drooping obstructs sight).
Recovery: 7–14 days for bruising/initial healing; stitches removed typically at 5–7 days.
Risks: Dry eye, temporary eyelid weakness, asymmetry; careful preoperative assessment is required.
Otoplasty (ear correction)
Purpose: Pin back prominent ears or reshape ear contours; common in adolescents and adults.
Recovery: 1–2 weeks of headband support; minimal downtime.
Risks: Scarring, asymmetry, infection; most outcomes are durable.
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Breast procedures
Common options:
- Breast augmentation: implants (silicone/saline) or fat grafting to increase size.
- Breast reduction: remove tissue for relief from symptoms or proportion.
- Breast lift (mastopexy): reposition and reshape sagging breasts.
- Breast reconstruction: post-mastectomy reconstruction using implants or autologous tissue (flap surgery).
Recovery: 1–2 weeks off heavy activity; full recovery several weeks to months depending on technique.
Risks: Implant issues, infection, sensation changes, need for future revisions. Discuss implant warranties, follow-up, and possible long-term maintenance with your surgeon.
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Body contouring & fat procedures
Liposuction & VASER
Purpose: Remove localized fat deposits to sculpt body contours. VASER is an ultrasound-assisted method that may improve skin retraction.
Recovery: Swelling and bruising 1–4 weeks; compression garments usually required for 4–6 weeks.
Risks: Contour irregularities, seroma, numbness. Liposuction is not a weight-loss surgery; patient selection matters.
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
Purpose: Remove excess abdominal skin and fat; repair diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles).
Recovery: 2–6 weeks off strenuous activity; full recovery several months.
Risks: Wound healing issues, seroma, scarring; smoking increases risk significantly.
Body lift & contouring
Purpose: Post-bariatric patients often require circumferential body lifts to remove excess skin after major weight loss.
Recovery: Intensive, often multi-stage surgery with extended recovery and specialist nursing aftercare.
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Hair restoration
Common procedures:
- FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): Individual follicular units harvested and implanted. Minimal linear scarring.
- FUT (Strip method): Linear strip harvested from donor site; may leave a linear scar.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Adjunct therapy to support growth.
Recovery: Donor/recipient sites heal in days to weeks; hair growth visible over months (6–12 months typical).
Risks: Shock loss (usually temporary), infection, poor graft take. Choose clinics with documented graft survival rates and experienced teams.
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Non-surgical & minimally invasive treatments
Botox & dermal fillers
Purpose: Botox relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles. Fillers restore volume (lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds).
Recovery: Minimal downtime; bruising possible for 3–10 days.
Risks: Vascular occlusion (rare but serious), asymmetry. Injectors should be medically qualified and experienced.
Laser skin treatments
Purpose: Resurface skin, treat pigmentation, scars and texture (CO2 fractional, erbium lasers).
Recovery: Depends on intensity — from minimal (non-ablative) to 1–2 weeks (ablative resurfacing).
Chemical peels & microneedling
Purpose: Improve skin texture, reduce scarring and fine lines. Microneedling may be combined with PRP.
Recovery: Few days of redness/swelling for medium-depth peels; minimal for lighter treatments.
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Cosmetic dentistry
Services offered: veneers, crowns, full-mouth rehabilitation, teeth whitening, smile design and implant-supported restorations. Many dental clinics in India offer high-quality cosmetic dentistry that appeals to international patients because of cost savings and skilled prosthodontic teams.
Recovery: Limited; depending on treatment schedule. Implants require months for osseointegration.
Risks: Implant failure (low with proper planning), bite issues — ensure digital planning and porcelain quality checks.
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Bariatric & major weight-loss procedures
Procedures: Sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion. These are medical-surgical interventions with major health benefits but require lifelong follow-up.
Recovery: Hospital stay several days; months of dietary adaptation and long-term nutritional monitoring.
Risks: Nutritional deficiencies, surgical complications — must be done in tertiary centres with multidisciplinary teams.
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Reconstructive & scar revision procedures
Scope: Trauma reconstruction, flap surgeries, burn contracture release, scar revision and microsurgery. Reconstructive expertise often overlaps with cosmetic surgery skills and is available in major Indian centres.
Recovery & risks vary widely depending on complexity; these procedures prioritize function and form.
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Pediatric & minor corrective procedures
Examples: minor ear corrections (otoplasty), correction of congenital ear anomalies, removal of benign skin lesions. Pediatric aesthetic surgery is carried out with parental consent and careful timing considerations.
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What patients should consider before choosing a procedure
Before committing, ensure you have:
- Clear medical indication and realistic expectations.
- Verified surgeon qualifications (M.Ch/DNB in Plastic Surgery) and hospital accreditation (NABH/JCI).
- Full understanding of recovery timelines and local accommodation for recovery.
- Insurance coverage and written agreements covering follow-up care and revisions.
- Pre-op medical clearance for anesthesia if you have comorbidities (heart disease, diabetes, obesity).
Risk mitigation: choose accredited hospitals, confirm anesthesia staffing, and insist on written consent in English (and translated if needed).
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Printable traveler checklist (final)
- Procedure name, expected outcome and alternatives documented in writing.
- Surgeon credentials: degree, specialization, hospital privileges, years of experience.
- Hospital accreditation and emergency services confirmation (NABH/JCI; ICU on-site).
- Estimated hospital stay, recovery time, and follow-up schedule (in writing).
- Itemized cost breakdown and revision/refund policy.
- Pre-op medical tests and anesthesia clearance completed.
- Local accommodation close to hospital for recovery; emergency contact details saved.
- Copy of all records, consent forms, and before/after photos for your files.
Keep this checklist printed while traveling and share copies with a trusted contact at home.
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Conclusion & next steps
India provides a comprehensive range of cosmetic procedures with internationally trained surgeons and accredited facilities in major medical cities. Success depends on clear goals, careful provider verification, and conservative planning for recovery and follow-up. Use this guide as a reference during your research and request written documentation from clinics and hospitals before confirming travel.
If you would like, we can prepare a templated verification email to send to potential surgeons and hospitals, or generate the printable checklist in PDF format for immediate use.
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