Some people who want to cut the costs of plastic surgery will turn to "medical tourism," or traveling to another country for less expensive medical procedures. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say medical tourism can be risky.
According to this article on WebMD, at least 18 women from the US became infected with a disfiguring bacteria after having plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic.
The women were infected by a germ called mycobacteria, and several of them had to be hospitalized. According to the article, it's not clear how the women were infected, but it's possible the bacteria entered wounds through contaminated tap water or instruments used in surgery.
The CDC outlines these potential risks from medical tourism:
- Communication - if you don't speak the same language as the care-givers in the facility, misunderstandings could arise.
- Medication quality may be inferior in some countries.
- Antibiotic resistant bacteria may be more common in other countries than in the US.
- Flying after surgery carries a risk of blood clots.
If financial concerns have you considering plastic surgery in another country, you might first check out the financing options we offer. You can finance your procedure and have it done in a comfortable, familiar and safe environment without the risk and hassle of travel.