Plastic Surgery Blog

This weeks topic medical tourism, last week was stem cells. 

Next week "Gallery of the Dolls: Plastic Surgery Beauty Queens of Venezuela"

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I thought all those blog posts were extremely interesting.  My only comments are --

1)  wondering how long until our insurance companies pay US a premium to (or actually require that we) leave the country for budget procedures -- bet it's coming; and

2) vendor-provided Subway sandwiches ... blech.  There outta be a law ... oh wait, maybe there will be!  (Maybe they can modify the law so that it forbids Subway, and absolutely mandates higher quality fare.)

As for insurance getting in on the overseas deal..you KNOW they've though of an angle there. 

Here's how THAT works:

"Why mess with patients who have pre-exsting conditions who actually might NEED surgery.  Let's let them go overseas on their own dime"

Charm you better sign up to follow my blog.  Just to keep me honest.  And crass.

VERY interesting read.

I have one question .....where you quoted the complication rates as stated by Dr's Hurwitz and Capella are you saying they themselves have that rate of complication or is it they are saying that is the complication rate of folks who travel for surgery? (I posted the excerpt below)
Thanks for clarifying.

"Likewise, the media is replete with patients who have returned from plastic surgery overseas with complications or unfavorable results. Finding care domestically is difficult or impossible for these individuals. Plastic surgery complications, usually minor, are a simple fact of life. But their treatment and outcome vary significantly, depending on whether they occur at home or abroad. Dr Jospeh Capella, a pioneer in post-weight loss plastic surgery, reported a complication rate of 50% after large procedures such as body lift, whereas Dr. Dennis Hurwitz, founder of the total body lift procedure, reposted a complication rate of 76%.

Medical devices used overseas also vary in terms of their quality warranty support. Breast implants placed outside of the U.S. by either of the 2
major manufacturers are not warrantied in the U.S. Replacement surgery, if needed due to rupture or leak, must be done in the country of origin."

Hi.  I'm going clarify that, THANKS.  Those numbers are from their own experience, and include even minor things such as small wound openings, etc.

I'm not sure if we will ever know the complication rate of those who travel.  Unfortunately, the only time we hear about problems is when there is some disaster the local news jumps on.  Thta's not reflective of the many people who travel and have NO problems.

Unfortunately, I see patients in my office with some frequency who are requesting followup care after overseas plastics.  Some have routine issues, others have real problems. I refuse to go public with these cases, even though the patients themselves have asked that I do in several instances.

I think my point will simply be that there can be a differnece in the aftercare of complications if your doctor is local versus distant.

I have a good lineup of interviews and references regarding this subject, as it relates so strongly to my obsessive compulsive desire  for patient safety.

I think Florida already has some restrictions on pens and such.  I tell you what -- I do not work for the pharmaceutical industry -- but if I ever get to Texas I will buy you a really nice sandwich!

Red

Hey Red, I'm heading down your way to do some backcountry fishing for my Xmass vacation (Islamorada).  I work through the holidays so this is my vacation time of the year. 

I'll let you know if I catch a nice "Redfish"

Have fun, I hope you catch a big one. 

I too, enjoy the blog! Thanks for posting - Im going to follow it for sure!:)

Vermont and Massachusetts are big on the "no freebies" deal, and New York may follow.

I'm all for anything that limits industry abuse and influence, but there are way bigger fish to fry when it comes to the pharmacy industry's practices.

Marketing drugs on TV is one.  I mean, are patients realy just "consumers" who go to their doctors requesting what meds they want ?  Just seing a patient in the office with that preconception establishes a bad dynamic.

The "gummy bear" breast implant sydrome is a perfect example.  I receive weekly emails from patients asking if I do them. If I say yes they will come in.  If I educate and inform, they go on to the next guy who will say yes. (Like I want a patient like that anyway, but it's a problem for other reasons)

Crazy, because the truth is that they benefit a minority of individuals. I know of individuals who have received these, essentially because they requested them, and are now facing revisionary surgery.