Questions to Ask at Your Consultation: Vetting International Clinics

Medical tourism for hair transplants has grown rapidly, with Turkey, India, Thailand, and Mexico attracting tens of thousands of international patients annually. The price difference is significant: a Norwood 4 FUE procedure costs $2,500 to $7,000 in Turkey compared to $10,000 to $21,000 in the United States. But lower prices come with higher vetting responsibility. This guide walks you through exactly how to evaluate an international clinic before committing to a procedure.

Why International Vetting Matters More

When you choose a local clinic, you benefit from familiar regulatory frameworks, easy access to follow-up care, clear legal recourse, and word-of-mouth referrals from people in your community. International clinics remove most of these safety nets.

This does not mean international clinics are inherently worse. Many are world-class. But the vetting process must be more thorough.

Step 1: Verify Accreditation and Licensing

Clinic-Level Accreditation

The most recognized international healthcare accreditation is JCI (Joint Commission International). JCI accredits hospitals and clinics in over 100 countries and evaluates safety protocols, infection control, patient rights, and facility standards.

Questions to ask:

• "Is your facility JCI-accredited?"
• "If not JCI, what accreditation do you hold?"
• "When was your last accreditation inspection?"

Surgeon-Level Credentials

Questions to ask:

• "Can you provide your medical license number so I can verify it?"
• "Are you an active ISHRS member?"
• "Where did you complete your hair restoration training?"

Do not take the clinic's word for credentials. Look up every claim independently.

Step 2: Research the Specific Surgeon

Many high-volume international clinics employ multiple surgeons. The surgeon featured in marketing materials may not be the one who performs your procedure.

Questions to ask:

• "Which specific surgeon will perform my procedure?"
• "Will that surgeon be present for the entire procedure?"
• "How many procedures does this surgeon perform per week?"
• "Can I see before-and-after results from this specific surgeon?"

A clinic performing 10 or more procedures per day across multiple surgeons is running a high-volume operation. This is not automatically bad, but it increases the risk that your surgeon is overextended or that technicians handle the majority of the work.

Step 3: Evaluate the Clinic's Communication

How a clinic communicates before you travel is a strong indicator of the experience you will have in person.

Pre-Consultation Assessment

Reputable international clinics offer a thorough pre-consultation process:

Questions to ask:

• "Can I have a video consultation with the operating surgeon before I book?"
• "Will you send a detailed written treatment plan?"
• "What is included in the quoted price?"

Response Time and Quality

Pay attention to how the clinic handles your initial inquiry. Professional clinics assign a dedicated patient coordinator who responds within 24 to 48 hours with personalized information. Clinics that send generic copy-paste responses or pressure you to book immediately are displaying warning signs.

Step 4: Check Independent Reviews

Clinic websites and social media accounts only show curated content. Independent review platforms provide a more balanced picture.

Red flags in reviews:

• All reviews are 5 stars with similar wording (possible fake reviews)
• No reviews from patients in your country
• Negative reviews about bait-and-switch (different surgeon than expected)
• Complaints about communication difficulties after surgery
• Reports of unclean facilities or unprofessional staff

Questions to ask the clinic:

• "Can you connect me with 3 past patients from my country?"
• "How do you handle negative reviews or complaints?"

Step 5: Understand the Legal Framework

Medical malpractice laws vary significantly between countries. Understanding your legal rights before you travel is important.

Questions to ask:

• "What malpractice insurance do you carry?"
• "What is the formal complaint process if I am dissatisfied?"
• "Do you have an English-speaking legal contact for international patients?"

In practice, pursuing legal action in a foreign country is difficult, expensive, and rarely successful. Prevention through thorough vetting is far more effective than attempting to resolve problems after the fact.

Step 6: Assess the Full Patient Journey

An international procedure involves much more than the surgery itself. Map out the entire patient journey and ask the clinic about each stage.

Pre-Travel Phase

• Pre-consultation video call with the surgeon
• Written treatment plan and cost confirmation
• Medical questionnaire and blood test requirements
• Travel logistics guidance (visa, flights, accommodation)

On-Site Phase

• Airport pickup and transfer
• In-person consultation and final assessment
• Procedure day(s)
• Immediate post-op check and aftercare instructions
• Recovery accommodation comfort and accessibility

Post-Travel Phase

• Remote follow-up schedule (video calls at key milestones)
• Local referral for emergency care if needed
• Medication prescriptions valid in your home country
• Protocol for requesting a touch-up if needed

Questions to ask:

• "What is your full patient journey from initial inquiry to final follow-up?"
• "Do you have a written aftercare protocol I can take home?"
• "Can my local doctor contact you directly if I have concerns?"

Step 7: Compare Multiple International Clinics

Never book with the first international clinic that responds to your inquiry. Compare at least 3 clinics across these factors:

Use this comparison table to evaluate your options objectively. The cheapest clinic is not always the worst choice, and the most expensive is not always the best. Focus on verifiable quality indicators.

Step 8: Prepare Your Medical Records

International clinics need your medical history to plan the procedure safely. Prepare the following before your trip:

• Current medications list
• Known allergies
• Previous surgical history
• Blood test results (within 30 days)
• Photos of your hair loss from multiple angles
• Your Norwood stage assessment from myhairline.ai/analyze

Having your Norwood stage and expected graft range confirmed before you arrive prevents the clinic from overestimating your needs. A Norwood 3 patient needs 1,500 to 2,200 grafts, and a Norwood 5 needs 3,000 to 4,500. If the clinic quotes significantly outside these ranges, you will know to ask why.

Country-Specific Cost Reference

For a deeper analysis of how location affects total cost, read geographic and travel factors for hair transplants. For communication-specific concerns, see managing language barriers with overseas clinics.

The Bottom Line on International Vetting

Medical tourism can save you thousands of dollars without sacrificing quality, but only if you do the vetting work. The time you invest in researching credentials, reading independent reviews, and asking detailed questions during video consultations is the best protection available. Clinics that welcome thorough questions are the ones worth trusting.

Start by knowing your own numbers. Get your free Norwood assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze, then use the frameworks in this guide to evaluate clinics with confidence.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified surgeon or dermatologist for personalized recommendations.