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Discount Plastic Surgery Abroad is Still Not a Good Idea

February 20, 2009 at 10:22 AM | by egw | 5 Comments

Thinking of coming home with a more permanent souvenir from your next vacation? It may be even more of a temptation in this economic climate, but the case of Tameka Raymond -- who was all smiles in the Sao Paulo airport yesterday -- is a valuable reminder that not all beauty bargains are created equal.

Usher's wife, who gave birth two months ago, headed to Brazil for liposuction a few weeks ago. Some consider the South American country the "plastic surgery capital of the world" for the amount its residents go under the knife, but Raymond had a heart attack while entering anesthesia and never ended up having the procedure done. Not a common occurrence, but she had to be placed in an induced coma and later moved to another hospital -- probably a better one than her doc had picked out.

Being wary of getting major surgery abroad isn't just a matter of xenophobia: Hospitals in common plastic-surgery destinations like Mexico and India can be excellent, with doctors who have received as much training (or more) as those doing the same procedures in the U.S.

But besides the communication barrier, scary enough when a patient is describing the desired effects of a procedure, the real problem is what happens when things go wrong. Usher can afford to drop everything and manage his wife's care, but most patients aren't that lucky. And leaving with a botched job or worse could be the unkindest cut.

Related Stories:
· Doctor: Usher's Wife Had a Heart Attack Before Plastic Surgery [OMG]
· Plastic Surgery Travel: Dallas Expo [Jaunted]
· Plastic Surgery Abroad Is Not A Vacation [US News]
· Plastic Surgery Travel: Thailand [Jaunted]

[Photo: JustJared]

5 Comments

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  1. lideng

    Jaunted Member

    Plastic Surgery Abroad

    Having Surgery abroad can be a scary experience.  That is why it's best to go to a medical tourism company like WorldMed Assist who will handle all the logistics and make your stay abroad as smooth as possible.  WorldMed Assist only partners with hospitals after multi-day, on-site screening.  Many of the top surgeons in their partner network were trained in the U.S., and most hospitals have affiliations with renowned US medical centers such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical. Hospitals are squeaky clean, and their patients have rated their overseas accommodations as five star.  Visit WorldMed Assist for more on Cosmetic Surgery.
    February 26, 2009 at 10:23 PM
  1. Jammer Yama

    Jaunted Reader

    The Truth About Plastic Surgery Abroad

    "Experts are alarmed that Americans are not making informed decisions when it comes to medical travel." As far as the current economic situation is concerned it seems we have heard it all. Americans are losing jobs, their houses, their life savings, and even their health insurance. As a result, thousands of US patients are turning towards medical travel as a way to cut costs and afford health treatments they need or desire. Sociologists see this trend as one of the actual benefits of the recession; Americans are quickly becoming much more resourceful, open-minded, and globally-oriented than ever before. This, unfortunately, is also a great opportunity for foreign companies to take advantage of US patients. There are hundreds of medical tourism companies currently advertising on the Internet offering dozens of medical treatment destinations. How does one know if the company is reputable and trustworthy? How does one decide what destination to choose? Shockingly, experts say over half of US patients decide on having a plastic surgery or another kind of a procedure abroad without sufficient information, without asking necessary questions, and without full consideration of all their options! As a result they are not only risking their money, they are risking their health. Doctors at the American Medical Association have recently changed their view on medical tourism recognizing it to be safe and beneficial when a number of conditions are met. Earlier this year they issued specific recommendations encouraging US patients to educate themselves about the subject and encouraging US top hospitals such as Johns Hopkins Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center to form partnerships with international clinics. Still, hundreds of medical travel providers continuously benefit form their prospective clients' lack of knowledge, introducing morally questionable techniques and luring them by very low prices combined with exotic vacations. Some companies offering cosmetic surgeries in Costa Rica and Thailand go as far as to make their patients sign a disclaimer saying, in a very fine print, that the quality of care in those countries will be "most likely" lower than what they would experience in the United States and they cannot guarantee safety. One company recently posted plastic surgery in Mexico as an auction on eBay willing to sell it to the highest bidder. Fortunately, the listing was removed within hours. Monika M. Dunlap, president of Kari Group, a leading American medical tourism company, says: " Patients should do their homework and ask many questions. They should demand seeing surgeons' credentials, they should do research about the provider they will be choosing, investigate their reputation, and the caliber of surgeons who cooperate with them." Reputation and trustworthiness of a medical tourism provider is a key. Does the company offer dozens of destinations and many unknown clinics or concentrate on one country such as Poland and only its finest surgeons? Does the company make complete doctors' CVs available upon request and provide actual verifiable testimonials from former patients? Does the company employ medically trained staff or is it merely a travel agency? Does the company enjoy public recognition? Kari Group has been recognized and endorsed by several media sources including Inside Business and National Medical Report with Hugh Downs and will be exclusively featured in a program describing Poland as currently the safest and most cost effective place for cosmetic surgery abroad. Mrs. Dunlap adds "It is our mission to raise awareness among US patients and help them make informed decisions. Medical travel can be a very affordable and satisfying experience if provided by a reputable company and excellent, qualified surgeons." For more details please visit www.karigroupllc.com or call toll free at; 866.261.2927
    June 7, 2009 at 3:11 AM
  1. bananaripe

    Jaunted Member

    it is dangerous.

    Well, everyone who is going to have a surgery shall make sure of the place and doctor, I do understand woman wants to look nice and beautiful but don't forget to let it take your life away! Just have to careful select the place, cheers pregnancy | pregnancy
    July 13, 2009 at 2:47 AM
  1. webexpertsteam

    Jaunted Member

    Sounds scary!

    These things do happen and regardless of if the facility was properly researched or not. As long as the doctors are board certified in what they do. Actually i was told that the incident happened before the procedure. There are ways around needing a liposuction or reducing excess weight with natural remedies such as resveratrol
    August 7, 2009 at 2:25 PM
  1. TaiwanTom

    Jaunted Member

    medical tourism

    If you are considering medical tourism, and you are worried about a possible negative outcome, then you need to stick with JCI-Accredited Hospitals.
    September 16, 2009 at 7:49 AM

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