Blog

The Dangers of Medical Tourism

It is estimated that as many as 750,000 people travel from the U.S. to other counties each year to seek medical treatment and care. Many of these travelers are going for cosmetic procedures. Most medical tourists find the idea appealing because it offers lower prices on many surgeries that are not typically covered by American health insurance plans.

However, traveling to receive medical care is not without its risks and dangers. Understanding those risks can help you make informed decisions about whether traveling to receive medical care, cosmetic surgery and even dental care in other countries is the right decision for you. Below are some of the possible risks and dangers of medical tourism.

Less Education and Experience of Surgeons and Doctors Abroad Than in the U.S.

The problem with plastic surgery tourism is that doctors in these destinations do not have the same thorough education and training that most U.S. surgeons receive through medical schools, residency training and continuing education after they complete their educations to remain up to date on the most recent standards in care.

You will find a medical tourism industry in many countries, including these:

• Argentina
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Turkey
• India
• Malaysia
• Costa Rica
• Poland
• Dominican Republic

Not one of these countries offers the same strict requirements for education and training of their physicians you will find within the United States. While the costs of certain medical procedures and treatments may be less, the risks associated with the education and experience of the physician are substantially higher.

Safety and Cleanliness Standards of Facilities Issues

Once again it comes down to a matter of training and regulation. Not all facilities are as safe as others. Medical centers in foreign countries don’t have the same rigorous quality standards and cleanliness requirements that facilities in the United States are required to adhere to. These cleanliness requirements in the U.S. help to decrease the spread of germs, eliminate cross-contamination and drastically reduce the negative outcomes that often occur as a result of surgery in countries that do not have the same standards.

That isn’t to suggest that all surgeries in the U.S. are safe. There is risk in every surgery. But failing to meet certain standards when it comes to safety and cleanliness, like many facilities in medical tourism havens abroad, however, increases those risks for patients. The risks include things like post-operative infections, negative outcomes, botched surgeries and even death.

Limited Medical History Working With the Doctor Abroad

Another problem you may not realize at the start of looking into medical tourism journey is not really knowing for certain who will be doing the treatment or surgery when you make your travel. Because you have limited experience with and knowledge of your physician, you may not know if the physician in question is the actual doctor you’ve been communicating with prior to making the trip.

Because many other countries do not have the same type of certification process for physicians, you may even have difficulty verifying the credentials of surgeons practicing international medical tourism. What’s more, you most likely would not have developed a long history with this doctor who knows your medical background and unique health issues.

Risks of Infections

The problem with mycobacterial infections like these is that they are notoriously difficult to diagnose and to treat. Time reported on the same infections stating that while the exact cause of these infections were unknown, “any breach in sterile technique” can allow the bacteria to enter a patient’s wounds.

Traveling After Surgery

Traveling immediately, or even soon, after surgery poses its own set of risks that anyone considering medical tourism abroad needs to consider. Below are some of the most common risks associated with traveling too soon after surgery:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Stress — elevated blood pressure
• Cabin pressure changes
• Skin irritation — from dry conditions in airplanes
• Medication reactions

The sky really is the limit when you’re traveling soon after surgery, and it can lead to unexpected complications that can be uncomfortable at best and, in some cases, deadly. Some surgeons recommend waiting at least two weeks before taking long flights after having a surgery to avoid the potential for DVT — even among patients who are otherwise young and healthy.

Poor Water Quality

Water quality is another big concern for those who are participating in cosmetic surgery tourism or other medical procedures abroad. The last thing you want to contend with while recovering from surgery is some form of intestinal parasite or exposure to various toxins in the water you are drinking and/or bathing in.

You are extremely vulnerable during the aftermath of a surgery — and you may be more susceptible to secondary infections and illnesses than someone who has not gone through surgery recently. Remember, there truly is no such thing as a risk-free surgery, which is why it is so important to take every possible precaution to reduce your risks.

Variations in Standards

Standards refer not only to the quality of care, cleanliness of facilities and training and education of practitioners, but also to the medical and surgical devices that are used on the cosmetic procedures. In fact, it is one of the specific problems the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns about.

The devices used in these procedures are often ones that have not met the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness. Having surgeries with devices and other products that have not been cleared or approved by the FDA means you are using devices and products of dubious safety, reliability and effectiveness.

Outdated Medical Equipment

These standards also apply to medical equipment. In addition to machinery that hasn’t been maintained properly, outdated and uninspected medical equipment are quite common in emerging nations, and have their own risks worth considering.

Why does this matter?

Medical equipment evolves to address specific issues or concerns related to its functionality and safety. Outdated equipment can fall into a state of disrepair allowing for negative consequences for the patients, including medical equipment that simply doesn’t work or devices that sends false signals.

Blood Supply Issues

Even in the U.S. where blood drives occur all the time, having fast access to blood in emergencies can be a problem. If you’re having a cosmetic procedure performed abroad, you may need a blood transfusion at some point during the process.

Blood supply could be an even bigger problem for you in this situation. Not only may there not be access to an adequate amount of blood, but they may not put their blood supply through the rigorous screening and vetting process that U.S. blood donations go through.

This may leave you with a greater risk for developing serious conditions such as hepatitis and HIV — both of which are conditions that have far reaching impacts on your life and that you may not discover until long after the blood transfusion.

Additionally, because you’re not having the procedure done locally, you may not have the opportunity to donate your own blood ahead of time leading into the procedure. Many people find this to be a huge comfort when having elective surgeries and feel better knowing that their elective procedures may not place another life at risk by depleting local blood supplies.

Counterfeit Medications or Substandard Medications

Counterfeit medications are widespread problem in many areas of Southeast Asia and other countries around the world — even countries where medical tourism is popular. You run the risks of having medication that simply doesn’t fulfil its objective and that also may interact in very negative ways with other legitimate medicines you’re taking.

Counterfeit medication is a huge problem when you’re traveling for cosmetic or plastic surgeries because it doesn’t provide the help you’re supposed to get — especially important when fighting off potential infections. It can also actually cause harm to your safety and well-being, and you may not even fully realize why.

Botched Surgeries

You may have heard the cable channel horror stories of botched surgeries and thought that would never happen to you. Fortunately, the cosmetic surgeons in the U.S. must meet strict standards and regulations to become board certified and to remain in business. These stringent regulations, training processes and standards help to minimize the number of botched plastic surgeries that occur in the U.S.

Traveling abroad for cosmetic surgeries, though, leaves you vulnerable to surgeons who:

• Are not subject to the same strict oversight and regulation.
• Do not receive the same extensive training and practice in their fields.
• Lack the same punitive discouragement for mistakes the U.S. legal system provides.

Botched surgeries do not only put the value of the cosmetic procedure at risk by causing more damage than they were intended to correct, but they can also put your life at risk by leading to infections.

Lack of Follow-Up Care

Another issue with having treatment or surgery in another country is the lack of follow-up care once you return to the U.S. Without the follow-up, you might not recognize the initial signs of infections or complications from the surgery until they have advanced and pose a greater risk to your health and happiness with your surgery and its results.

Cultural and Language Differences

Cultural differences can make communication difficult even when all parties speak the same language. Add in language barriers, and the problem is easily compounded. Not only do you need to be able to understand the procedure that is taking place and any before and after care instructions that are given, but you also need to be able to effectively communicate with your surgeon and their staff in case you’re experiencing unexpected complications, have questions or are facing an emergency.

You also need to be able to communicate with others outside of the facility where you’re seeking treatment. The concern involves the ability to do the following:

• Communicate a medical emergency with hotel or resort staff.
• Convey your symptoms to an emergency care provider.
• Seek help in public places should it become necessary.

While the hope is that this will never be a problem, it is far better to err on the side of caution when having any type of surgery to ensure you’ll be able to seek help if something goes wrong — something that’s rarely a problem when having surgeries and cosmetic procedures inside the U.S.

Language alone isn’t the only concern associated with cultural differences. Doctors in different parts of the world have different standards and ethics — largely dictated by cultural teachings and ideas. It’s important to learn as much as possible about your surgeon, their practice and the culture they coms from before electing to trust your health, beauty and body to this physician’s care.

Lack of Legal Protections or Recourse

Another major factor to contend with when traveling for cosmetic surgery is the lack of legal protection or recourse available to you. While the goal may be to save money on the front end of the surgery — the result is that when you leave the U.S., you leave the legal protections that are available to you behind, too.

If things go drastically wrong, you’re the one responsible for the costs involved in follow-up treatments, corrective surgeries and your lost time from work for an unexpectedly long recovery.

When you have surgeries in the U.S., if negative outcomes occur, you can seek punitive damages in a court of law to help recover your wages, pay for your medical care needs and compensate you for your pain and suffering as a result of the surgeon’s mistakes. You can’t always do that in other countries where medical tourism is practiced. Even if it is allowed in some countries, many have made it excessively difficult and cost-prohibitive to do so.

While costs are a major incentive for approximately 90 percent of people who travel to have cosmetic surgery abroad, it’s important to factor in the additional costs that will arise as a result of complications, which are, in reality, far too common.

Request Your Personalized Consultation With Dr. Richard de Ramón, MD

Serving our Harrisburg and Mechanicsburg area patients, Dr. Richard de Ramón, MD is proud to offer a full range of cosmetic surgery and reconstructive care using state-of-the-art technology and proven procedures. He, along with his experienced registered nurses and patient care coordinator, provide you with a personal, caring experience and unparalleled patient satisfaction with natural-looking results.

To receive your personalized consultation with Dr. Richard de Ramón, MD, please complete our brief online form or give us a call at 717-791-2880. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best.