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For a rising variety of folks, “medical tourism” might be harmful — even deadly.
Twenty-nine U.S. residents have died after they’d beauty surgery within the Dominican Republic between 2009 and 2018, in accordance to a Jan. 25 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
More alarming is that the deaths have spiked lately. Between 2009 and 2018, there have been a median of 4.1 deaths per yr. Between 2019 and 2022, that common rose to 13 per yr — peaking at 17 deaths in 2020.
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The deaths have been linked to “fat or venous thromboembolism,” which is when a blood clot kinds in a vein, the CDC reported.
Most of the patients had danger components for the situation, corresponding to weight problems, diabetes, tobacco use and a number of surgical procedures being carried out directly.
To guarantee a protected process, the surgeon — in addition to the whole surgical crew, together with the anesthesiologists, nurses and surgical techs — ought to be adequately skilled within the particular procedures, a health care provider famous. (iStock)
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy within the Dominican Republic has recorded beauty surgery-associated deaths among U.S. residents since 2009.
The embassy contacted the CDC upon noticing the uptick in deaths — which sparked an investigation.
All however one of many deaths concerned girls, the report acknowledged. The common age of the patients on the time of demise was 40.
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For the 24 deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2020, liposuction was carried out on all the patients, normally together with different procedures, together with gluteal fats switch, abdominoplasty and breast augmentation.
Fat embolism was the reason for demise in 55% of the circumstances and pulmonary venous thromboembolism was the figuring out trigger in 35% of the circumstances, the report mentioned.
Plastic surgeons’ reactions
Josef Hadeed, M.D., chair of the Patient Safety Committee for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), who was not concerned within the CDC investigation, famous that the CDC’s report highlights the risks related to vacation spot procedures.
For the 24 deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2020, liposuction was carried out in all the patients, normally together with different procedures. (Fox News Digital)
“Too often, patients will travel to other countries as the procedures are cheaper there,” Hadeed, who can be a plastic surgeon with practices in Beverly Hills, California, and Miami, Florida, advised Fox News Digital in an interview.
“However, there are a whole lot of dangers related to touring to different nations for beauty procedures.”
He added, “All surgery carries risk, but there are excessive deaths outlined in the report, most of which were presumably avoidable.”
“Just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean it is better for you.”
When it comes to the value of surgery, Hadeed suggested patients that “you get what you pay for. Just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean it is better for you.”
He additionally mentioned, “The most important issue in plastic surgery is affected person security.”
It is essential to discover a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, consultants agreed. (iStock)
Jonathan Kaplan, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices at Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, who was additionally not concerned within the report, mentioned the CDC’s newest findings are “sad but true.”
“There are risks with any surgery, but in the U.S., you have a better sense of whether doctors are board-certified in the specialty they’re practicing in,” he advised Fox News Digital in an e mail.
“There is also the added risk of going to a facility in a foreign country that has no quality assurance or safety protocols as required by law in the U.S.,” Kaplan added.
Heightened dangers
International journey robotically places patients at a better danger for thromboembolic occasions, the place they will develop probably deadly blood clots, Hadeed mentioned.
Another consideration is that these having surgery exterior the U.S. gained’t have the opportunity to get any help from the physician if any issues come up, Kaplan warned.
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“Then you’ll have to find a doctor locally who will charge you an exorbitant amount to fix the problem and you’ll end up spending more than what you saved initially,” he mentioned.
While all surgical procedures carry some factor of danger, the “Brazilian Butt Lift” (BBL) has been related to the very best danger of demise in plastic surgery, which is corroborated by the report, famous Hadeed.
Twenty-nine U.S. residents have died after having beauty surgery within the Dominican Republic between 2009 and 2018, in accordance to a Jan. 25 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (REUTERS/Tami Chappell/File Photo)
“While I cannot specifically comment on what led to the deaths in the Dominican Republic, I can say that using an ultrasound is essential while performing a Brazilian Butt Lift,” he advised Fox News Digital.
When the fats is injected into one of many blood vessels throughout the gluteal muscle, it may well enter the bloodstream and make its means to the blood vessels of the lungs, blocking circulation and main to quick demise — which constitutes a fats embolism, the physician mentioned.
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This might be prevented through the use of an ultrasound, he famous, which permits the plastic surgeon to visualize the gluteal muscle and be sure that the fats is positioned above, and never inside, the muscle.
“This has already become state law in Florida as of 2023,” mentioned Hadeed.
Safety suggestions
While Hadeed mentioned it’s “better” to search for plastic surgeons throughout the U.S., if patients do resolve to journey exterior the nation, they need to fastidiously analysis a supplier.
It is essential to discover a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Hadeed emphasised.
The surgeon — in addition to the whole surgical crew, together with the anesthesiologists, nurses and surgical techs — ought to be adequately skilled within the particular procedures, the physician added.
The “Brazilian Butt Lift” (BBL) has been related to the very best danger of demise in plastic surgery, the report acknowledged. (iStock)
“It is equally important to ensure that the facility in which the procedure is being performed is fully accredited to the same standards that are found in the United States and has the proper safety measures in place,” mentioned Hadeed.
“The money you save is not worth it if you have a complication, which is a very real possibility.”
“Also remember that longer flights increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, and it is advised to wait several days after travel before undergoing a surgical procedure, which can add to the cost of the travel when you factor in additional days of staying in a hotel,” he identified.
When requested for his recommendation on worldwide surgery, Kaplan mentioned merely, “Don’t do it.”
Those having surgery exterior the U.S. gained’t have the opportunity to get any help from the physician if any issues come up, an professional warned. (iStock)
“The money you save is not worth it if you have a complication, which is a very real possibility,” he mentioned.
“And remember, complications don’t have to be major — they can be minor, but still a nuisance if you don’t have a doctor locally to take care of it,” he went on. “And even the smallest complication will be much more expensive to take care of in the U.S. if your original surgery was outside the country.”
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For these who are contemplating having an elective surgical process exterior the U.S., the CDC recommends discussing the dangers with a health care provider right here first.
The company additionally emphasised the significance of surgeons conducting correct preoperative exams and solely performing one process for every operation.
Potential limitations
The examine did have some limitations, the CDC acknowledged.
All however one of many deaths concerned girls, the report acknowledged. The common age of the patients on the time of demise was 40. (iStock)
“No reliable statistics on the number of U.S. citizens who receive cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic each year are available, precluding calculation of the risk for perioperative death,” the report acknowledged.
Also, the information solely included deaths that have been reported to the U.S. Embassy — which suggests the precise quantity may very well be larger.
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The mortality rely additionally doesn’t embrace deaths ensuing from post-surgical infections, the CDC famous.
Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC requesting touch upon the report.
For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being.
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