Dominican Republic Cosmetic Surgery Bad For Your Health?

According to the New York City Health department, eight women contracted infections following their procedures while undergoing cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic. In addition, United States health officials warned about the dangers associated with medical tourism after it recorded at least 18 women from the East Coast who became infected with disfiguring bacteria following plastic surgery procedures carried out in the Dominican Republic. The infection, caused by a type of germ called mycobacteria, can be very difficult to treat. Several of the reported women had to be hospitalized and undergo surgery to eradicate the infection and then take antibiotics for months. Some of these women testified about swelling, pain and scarring which required reconstructive surgery to get the issues corrected.

Dominican Republic Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

The health department said the procedures were varied and included breast lifts, liposuction and abdominoplasty. Furthermore, two other cases were reported in the state of Connecticut. The age range of these patients is 28-39 years of age and almost all of them were treated at the Centro Internacional de Cirugia Estetica in Santo Domingo. Although it is not clear how the women were infected, officials say it is possible they become infected via the bacteria entering the plastic surgery wounds through tap water or instruments used in the surgery. The risk of this kind of infection is reported to be greater in countries like the Dominican Republic and Brazil. Don Weiss, director of surveillance in the bureau of communicable diseases in New York City, says “Symptoms and findings included abdominal abscesses, pain, wound discharge and fever”. However, he said no deaths have been recorded as a result of the infections as of 2017.

Center for Disease Control Warning

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned about the risks of medical tourism which is a term described as leaving the United States for medical procedures. Based on this report, it was gathered that the main reason for medical tourism is to save money. An advisory was issued to people who plan to undergo plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic. The advisory said they should have an appointment with their doctor about getting tested. Also, people who are going there should always conduct proper research to know if the clinic they are visiting had infections in the past.

It was reported that the women received antibiotics at the clinic and they have now undergone surgical procedures in an effort to remove any tissue that has been infected. When questioning these women, their journey to Dominican Republic for plastic surgery was based on the fact that surgical procedures performed there are much cheaper than the same procedures in the United States. Mr. Weiss urged doctors to report any patients they treat with cellulitis, soft tissue infections or wounds that are a result of cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.

Medical Tourism Dangers

In 2018, author and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) member, Steven P. Davison counseled people to be careful of medical tourism which he called a “growing, unregulated industry”. He said, “While patients may be attracted by the lower costs for plastic surgery and other procedures performed in other countries, they must also be aware of the potential risks – legal as well as medical”. He also added that it is difficult for doctors to take care of patients they didn’t initially operate on. In a pamphlet he released, Davison said “Revision surgeries can be more complicated than the initial operation and patients rarely get the desired results.''

In a 2019 interview with INSIDER, New York area-based plastic surgeon Dr. Steve Fallek said “You’re going into the great unknown to save a couple of dollars”. He also added that “The best case scenario is that you’re happy and everything is fine, but the downside can be really bad.'' He particularly said “It’s not that the doctors don’t necessarily know what they’re doing, it’s that if there’s a problem or complication, you essentially have nobody to protect you”. He said patients who go abroad are at risk of encountering bacteria they haven’t seen in the United States. Some of the dangers he also mentioned include drinking unsafe water and travelling on a plane shortly after surgery which he said can increase the risk of developing blood clots and pulmonary embolism. Also, he said patients that went to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery might not be protected by medical malpractice insurance. 

Don’t Cut Corners to Save Money on Cosmetic Surgery

Patients should be aware that altering the body is a risk which simply can be defined as taking a chance with creating future health issues. Plastic surgery is a real medical procedure that incorporates a lot of steps that cannot be overlooked or discounted. Patients should not cut corners or costs and put their life at risk simply to save some money on their procedure. They should make sure and visit the medical facility prior to the actual surgery. Precautions can save patients from medical problems that can develop into a matter of life or death.