I’m compelled to blog today about a patient that presented to me for help.  She was a “medical tourist” who had undergone a tummy tuck procedure in Brazil because it was discounted.  She thought that she would be saving a bundle of money and getting a vacation in the process. 

What she didn’t account for was the complication she would experience and the cost that this would be to her.  Approximately six weeks after her procedure she presented to me with a large area of abdominal skin death and an invasive infection.  I took her case and before her problems were resolved she required several additional surgeries, weeks of dressing changes, antibiotics, and consultations with other physicians.  The cost of this care was not covered by her insurance company and rapidly resulted in hospital bills in the tens of thousands of dollars.    

The sad part of this story is that when she presented to me, the cat was out of the bag .  She had been attempting to nurse herself at home for a period of time until things became dramatically worse.  Had she been able to followup with her surgeon, the problems that she experienced could have been recognized sooner and appropriate treatment could have been initiated earlier. 

So my questions for you, the reader, considering medical tourism:  how exactly do you plan to follow up?  What will you do if you experience a complication from your procedure?  Even though it may seem like discount surgery abroad, can you really afford it?   

Our websites www.beauty-surgeon.com and www.drmckane.com have additional information and before and after photographs of aesthetic plastic surgery for review.  I invite you to schedule a consultation with me if you would like to learn more about medical tourism or any of the procedures that we offer.  Please feel free to contact our office at (713) 661-5255 if you have any questions.

-Brice W. McKane, M.D.

© 2009, Dr. McKane. All rights reserved.