The August issue of The Journal of Aesthetic Surgery once again addresses the subject of medical tourism. A survery was conducted by Nassau University Medical Center in New York. United States plastic surgeons were questioned as to what complications they experienced in their practice in regards to patients who had cosmetic surgery out of the country.

The most common complication noted was wound infection at 31%. Other complications seen were dehiscence (wound breakdown), contour deformities, and hematomas.

Patients who have traveled outside the United States for cosmetic surgery and experience complications often times found it difficult to find a qualified board certified plastic surgeon to provide revision surgery.
Revision surgeries often times can be more complicated than the original surgeries and the end result may not be what the patient desired. In some cases treatment of these complications may cost more that the original surgery.

Kaveh Alizadeh, M.D., Msc, FACS stated, ” When patients return to the U.S.,it can become a costly scenario if they develop complications and the procedures or patient is not covered by medical insurance. Plastic surgeons can help amend this by educating their patients on the potential pitfalls of cosmetic surgery tourism”.
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/News-and-Resources/Briefing-Papers/Cosmetic-Surgery-Tourism.html

Recently, the F.D.A. reaffirmed the safety of silicone breast implants. They also stated that patients should no longer be told that they should get a M.R.I. imaging test three years after getting their implants and then every two years.

The F.D.A. continues to believe however, that an M.R.I. is the gold standard for evaluating breast implants for silent ruptures. To read more click on the link below.

http://www.nytimes.c … =1&ref=implants