For a growing number of people, “medical tourism” is dangerous and even potentially deadly.
29 Americans have died after being infected. cosmetic surgery The outbreak occurred in the Dominican Republic between 2009 and 2018, according to a Jan. 25 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What is even more worrying is that the number of deaths has increased rapidly in recent years. Between 2009 and 2018, there were an average of 4.1 deaths per year. From 2019 to 2022, that average increased to 13 deaths per year, peaking in 2020 with 17 deaths.
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These deaths were related to “fat thromboembolism,” or “venous thromboembolism,” in which blood clots form in the veins, the CDC reported.
Most of the patients had risk factors for the disease, including obesity, diabetes, smoking, and having multiple surgical procedures performed at once.
To ensure a safe surgery, not only the surgeon but also the entire surgical team, including anesthesiologists, nurses, and surgical technologists, must be well-trained for the specific procedure, doctors say. points out. (St. Petersburg)
Recorded by the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. Cosmetic surgery related Number of deaths of U.S. citizens since 2009.
The embassy noticed the increase in deaths and contacted the CDC, which triggered an investigation.
All but one of the deaths involved women, the report said. The average age of patients at the time of death was 40 years.
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In the 24 deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2020, all patients underwent liposuction, usually along with other procedures such as buttock fat grafting, abdominoplasty, and breast augmentation.
According to the report, fat embolism was the cause of death in 55% of cases, and pulmonary vein thromboembolism was the definitive cause in 35% of cases.
Plastic surgeon’s reaction
The CDC report highlights the risks associated with destination procedures, said Dr. Joseph Hadeed, chair of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Patient Safety Committee, who was not involved in the CDC investigation. he pointed out.
In the 24 deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2020, all patients underwent liposuction, usually along with other procedures. (Fox News Digital)
Dr. Hadeed, who is also a plastic surgeon with practices in Beverly Hills, Calif., and Miami, Fla., said in an interview on Fox News Digital that “very often patients travel to other countries because the surgery is cheaper.”
“But it comes with a lot of risks. travel to other countries For cosmetic procedures. ”
He added: “All surgeries carry risks, but the report outlines excess deaths, most of which were probably avoidable.”
“Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s good for you.”
Regarding the cost of the surgery, Hadeed advised patients: “You get what you pay for. Just because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean it’s better for you.”
He also said, “The most important issue in plastic surgery is patient safety. ”
Experts agreed that it’s important to find a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices at Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, who was also not involved in the report, said the CDC’s latest findings are “sad but true.”
“There are risks with any surgery, but in the United States, we are well aware of whether a doctor is board certified in the specialty he or she practices,” he told Fox News Digital in an email.
“There are also additional risks in going to a foreign facility that lacks the quality assurance and safety protocols required by U.S. law,” Kaplan added.
Increased risk
Hadeed said traveling abroad automatically puts patients at increased risk of thromboembolism, which can lead to fatal blood clots.
Another consideration, Kaplan warned, is that people who undergo surgery outside the United States lack access to medical assistance if complications arise.
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“Then you’ll have to find a local doctor who charges exorbitant amounts of money to fix your problem, and you’ll end up spending more than you saved in the first place,” he says. To tell.
While all surgeries come with some degree of risk, the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is associated with the highest risk of death of any plastic surgery procedure, a report confirms. Hadid pointed out.
Between 2009 and 2018, 29 Americans died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic, according to a Jan. 25 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Reuters/Tami Chappell/File photo)
“While I cannot comment specifically on the cause of the death in the Dominican Republic, I can say that the use of ultrasound is essential when performing a Brazilian butt lift,” he told FOX News Digital. .
When fat is injected into one of the blood vessels within the gluteal muscles, it can enter the bloodstream and reach the blood vessels in the lungs, cutting off circulation and causing instant death, which doctors say is a fat embolism. said. He said.
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He said this can be prevented by using ultrasound, which allows plastic surgeons to visualize the buttock muscles and ensure the fat is placed on top and not within the muscles.
“This is already state law in Florida as of 2023,” Hadeed said.
Safety tips
Hadeed said it’s “good” to find a plastic surgeon in the U.S., but said patients should carefully search for a plastic surgeon if they decide to travel abroad.
It is important to find a plastic surgeon who will treat you well. board certification Hadeed emphasized that he is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
He added that not only the surgeon but also the entire surgical team, including anesthetists, nurses and surgical technicians, must be well trained for the specific procedure.
The report states that the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is associated with the highest risk of death of any plastic surgery procedure. (St. Petersburg)
“It is equally important to ensure that the facility where the surgery is performed is fully accredited to the same standards as in the United States and that appropriate safety measures are in place,” Hadeed said.
“If there are complications, it’s not worth the money you save. The chances of complications happening are very high.”
“Also keep in mind that the risk of venous thromboembolism increases on long flights and that it is recommended to wait several days after travel before undergoing surgery. Consider additional days of hotel stay. That could make travel even more expensive,” he pointed out.
When asked for advice about international surgery, Kaplan simply said, “Don’t do it.”
Experts have warned that people undergoing surgery outside the United States will not have access to medical assistance if any complications arise. (St. Petersburg)
“If there are complications, the money saved is not worth it. Complications are a very real possibility,” he said.
“Remember, complications don’t have to be major. Complications can be minor, but they can be a nuisance if you don’t have a local doctor to treat you,” he said. continued. “And if the initial surgery is performed outside the country, even minimal complications will cost much more to treat in the United States.”
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For people considering having elective surgery outside the United States, the CDC recommends first discussing the risks with a doctor in the United States.
The agency also emphasized the importance of surgeons performing appropriate preoperative tests and performing only one procedure per surgery.
Potential limitations
The CDC acknowledged that the study had some limitations.
All but one of the deaths involved women, the report said. The average age of patients at death was 40 years. (St. Petersburg)
“Reliable statistics on the number of Americans who undergo cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic each year are not available, and the risk of perioperative mortality cannot be calculated,” the report states.
Additionally, this data only includes deaths reported to the U.S. Embassy, meaning the actual number may be much higher.
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The CDC noted that the death toll also does not include deaths from postoperative infections.
Fox News Digital contacted the CDC for comment on this report.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
