Latest news with #medicaltourism
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Why Medical Tourism Can Make More Sense Than US Care
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Who out there has seen the movie Super Size Me , where the late, great Morgan Spurlock eats only McDonald's for 30 days? If you haven't seen it, you should. It's wild. Anyway, Spurlock uses this type of experience-based filmmaking to also teach us about value-based healthcare in his show Inside Man , when he goes to Thailand to get worked up for knee pain. Spurlock, like so many Americans, especially those with musculoskeletal injuries, thought he needed an elective procedure. He called all these clinics around New York City, but he wasn't finding much transparency in prices. What he did learn was that the costs were all over the place and there were long wait times. Instead, he plays medical tourism and goes to Thailand to get his care. The Price of Clarity: What $4300 Gets You Abroad For $400 and in only 1 day, he got two expert consultations, an MRI, and found out that he did not need surgery. Spurlock went even further and got more lab work, a cardiac stress test, a capsule colonoscopy, and more consultations. The entire thing, including airfare and accommodations, cost him $4300. What can you get in American healthcare with $4300? It wouldn't include a trip to Thailand. [ Sigh ] Medical tourism. Now, granted, Spurlock was overseas, but this is the definition of value-based care. He had transparent, seamless, coordinated care with the focus on outcomes and not just volume. Over here, it's a completely different story. Meet Mya Neehurtz: A Very American Healthcare Story I came across an email titled "The Surgeon's Record," by editor-in-chief Dr Ben Schwartz, that goes through a hypothetical case showing just how fragmented and complex musculoskeletal care can be. In the post, which can be viewed on his Dem Dry Bones Substack, there's a fictional character named Mya Neehurtz (a great name) who has knee pain, similar to Morgan Spurlock and millions of Americans. The hypothetical journey goes like this. Mya sees her PCP for knee pain, who orders an ultrasound and an x-ray, and obviously, she faces two facility fees because the imaging center is not where her doctor is. Some of the results show bone arthritis and a potential bone mass. The PCP is like, This isn't my area of expertise. Let's order an MRI and get your referral to an orthopedic surgeon . Well, all the surgeons are busy. She can't get in for months unless she goes out of network, so she pays out of pocket. The surgeon is like, Wait, I can't access these images because the systems don't communicate. Also, why did your doctor order all these tests? This is all while the surgeon is really backlogged, so he reorders some images and tries Mya out on noninvasive treatments. Her knee pain continues, and finally, after months, she gets a knee replacement. Examples like this happen all the time in American healthcare with chronic and acute illnesses. In Mya's case, in this example, there's a lack of shared decision-making, there's poor access to subspecialists, and evidence-based guidelines may or may not be followed. Even the technology isn't properly communicating, and I know you could probably relate with this. I see these barriers that happen with patient care all the time. What Is Value-Based Care, Really? Value-based care isn't just a buzzword. According to many experts, including those at the Commonwealth Fund, value-based care is all about getting patients the right care at the right time, while minimizing all these unnecessary and fragmented steps. Value-based care ties provider payments with the quality of care performed, with additional focuses on cost efficiency and equity. Improving health outcomes while reducing waste — what a win. Who wouldn't want that? Now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has several value-based programs in place, including the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, and the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program. And these programs have three goals in mind: Better care for individuals Better health for populations Lowering cost Lower cost — what a concept. According to a 2019 JAMA article, up to $935 billion is wasted annually on unnecessary services. If you look at this example from Dr Schwartz and then you amplify it across all states and include many more conditions, you can see how this adds up to a large amount of money and time wasted. So, What's Holding Us Back? I agree with Dr Ben Schwartz when he says that we have the capability to have these integrated medical clinics right here. They don't have to just be medical tourism fairytales of places like Thailand. We can have all-inclusive surgery centers that have state-of-the-art, digital health support, and that have everything you need under one roof, including subspecialists you may refer to — imaging, PT, OT, lab work, and more. For now, this seems like the diamond-in-the-rough exception and not the rule. Yes, we need more advocacy and lobbying. As suggested by Dr Maria Ansari in an article posted on the AMA website , we need more data looking at health disparities and actionable items, and then we could potentially follow a payment playbook that involves identifying the right patient population, good benchmarks, and then having transparent feedback. The reality is that we have all the parts to the solution; we just need to put the puzzle together. Now, I'm obviously simplifying a very complex system that is rooted in bureaucracy, but who am I? I'm just a burned-out physician. I'm not a health policy researcher. I want to hear from all of you. How far are we, really, from having a more efficient, value-based healthcare system? What are the barriers? Are there any initiatives that you have come across that work? Comment below.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Americans Are Crossing the Atlantic for Hair Transplants
TURKEY, July 19, 2025 / / -- As the demand for effective and affordable hair restoration continues to grow, an interesting development is emerging: more and more Americans are choosing to travel to Turkiye for their hair transplant procedures. With average U.S. costs ranging from $8,000 to $15,000, and many insurance providers refusing coverage, patients are searching for better options and finding them abroad. Why Are Americans Choosing Türkiye and Smile Hair Clinic? Founded by two of the top hair transplant doctors in the world, Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan and Dr. Gökay Bilgin, Smile Hair Clinic has become a trusted destination for patients seeking excellence without compromise. Their clinic in Istanbul offers one of the most sought-after experiences for hair transplantation in Turkey, combining physician-led treatment, international safety standards, and a personalized approach tailored to international patients, especially those from the U.S. Here's what sets Smile Hair Clinic apart: Board-certified doctors specializing only in hair transplantation State-of-the-art facilities, internationally accredited for hygiene and safety Fluent English-speaking staff and U.S.-style patient communication All-inclusive packages: airport transfers, 5-star hotel stays, aftercare kits Transparent pricing, no hidden costs, Remote support via WhatsApp after the procedure accessible from anywhere in the U.S. What American Patients Are Saying Josh M. Went December of 2023. Writing this review in December of 2024. Lived in ATL, GA USA at the time, and traveled to Turkey to get the procedure done. I was skeptical, but couldn't have been more impressed with the entire process. They picked me up promptly in a nice van at the airport. Dropped me off at the nice hotel. Food was provided. The clinic was clean, and men from all around the world were there to get their hair done. They were professional, clean, and reassuring. I ended up not eating my lunch so I can power through and keep going (I had a lot of work done). They even drove my meal back to my hotel, because they forgot to hand it to me after the procedure. Unreal service. They did a fantastic job, and checked in with me once a month for the following year. Hair looks fantastic. TLDR: Was skeptical and nervous at first. They did a fantastic job, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Mitchell M. I had an amazing experience from beginning to end when I recently visited Smile Hair Clinic. Because of the team's exceptional punctuality, all appointments and procedures were completed on schedule. During my stay, the hotel accommodations were excellent, offering a cozy and tranquil setting. Every employee went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and satisfied, and the service was excellent. To all of my friends and anyone else thinking about getting their hair restored, I heartily recommend Smile Hair Clinic. They really went above and beyond what I had anticipated! Steve V. This place was amazing! I'm from the USA and was slightly skeptical going to Turkey as it was unknown for me but was pleasantly surprised! From start to finish from pickup smile hair clinic was on it. Great hotel and experience. The doctors and medical team were all very friendly and knowledgeable plus very experienced. I would definitely visit again. Thanks Smile Hair Clinic! Five stars! Bryant Y. I had a good experience with Smile Hair Clinic. They were very responsive when it came to answering my messages, and any questions that I had. They also did a good job of informing me of the process and what to expect. Once I landed in Istanbul, the clinic was good about coordinating my pickup, and getting me to my hotel. The medical team was also very friendly, and talked to me about my hair goals, and tempering my expectations. If you have a preference or concern, don't be afraid to speak up, as they are very receptive to your input. The clinic itself is organized, and kept immaculately. About the Founders Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan and Dr. Gökay Bilgin are globally recognized for their contributions to modern hair transplantation. Both physicians are board-certified, with backgrounds in aesthetic medicine and years of surgical experience. Their meticulous approach and patient-centered philosophy have earned them a reputation as two of the most trusted names in the field. At Smile Hair Clinic, they lead every procedure personally ensuring that each patient receives the highest standard of care, guided by medical expertise and artistic precision. About Smile Hair Clinic Founded in 2018, Smile Hair Clinic has quickly gained a reputation as one of Turkiye's most trusted names in medical tourism. With over 40,000 successful transplants, a team of internationally trained surgeons, and a commitment to ethical patient care, the clinic draws clients from across the U.S., Europe, Canada and beyond. What makes Smile different isn't just the price, it's the philosophy. Every patient is treated as a long-term partner in their transformation, with personalized care before, during, and long after the procedure. From its luxury clinic in Istanbul, Smile Hair Clinic is proving that world-class medical care doesn't have to come with a Hollywood price tag. Yagmur Ucar Smile Hair Clinic [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Miami's BBL trade, where 15,000 women a year risk their lives for bargain prices with sketchy surgeons
They descend on clinics all over Miami, this daily wave of women seeking to reshape their lives by reshaping their curves. The arrivals pass by those who've had the operation and are leaving – heavily padded and walking gingerly – in a constant churn in the city that has become the world epicenter of the Brazilian Butt Lift. But for some, they are dicing with death. The recently announced passing of young Louisiana police officer Wildelis Rosa in Miami from a BBL has sharpened the focus on the procedure where the quest for looks really can kill those trusting the wrong people. Now, can unmask the inside story on the horrors that still await some unsuspecting women who fly to the Magic City for a BBL – despite the industry's good guys' largely successful efforts to make it safer. In an astonishing catalogue of shady practices in the production line of some rogue clinics, we can reveal: Potential patients often have no initial physical exam but are 'diagnosed' for treatment in a virtual consultation by receptionists after being asked to provide photos of their butt. Surgeons fly into Miami from other American cities for an exhausting week of money-spinning operations, creating deadly risks by performing far more than is safe each day. If a clinic has had a series of complaints against it, the owners simply shut it down and start again with a new name at the same address. 'Recovery homes', where patients recuperate, can be seedy Airbnb's without a medic in sight, small warehouses filled with air mattresses or even a horse barn. Disreputable surgeons' con patients by claiming accreditation to a medical board they have simply invented. More than 15,000 women a year from around the world descend on Miami for a BBL. Many are attracted by a stay in the Florida sunshine and being at the hands of a renowned surgeon. It's a common sight to see women gingerly walking out of medical offices heavily padded with surgical drains emerging beneath their shorts to manage their built-up fluids Women often leave BBL clinics in wheelchairs, struggling to walk. But despite the painful recovery and rising death toll, many are approved for surgery without a physical exam - just a virtual consult with a receptionist who reviews butt photos However, others are lured by shockingly cut-price surgery offered by some clinics as they vie for business on the internet – as little as $2,000 compared with up to $18,000 for a top end operation. The surgery involves taking fat from the hips, lower back and abdomen through liposuction then injecting small amounts into the glutes giving the buttocks a curvier appearance. Most deaths typically occur when the doctor accidentally injects the fat into a vein which then lethally moves to either the heart or lungs. New Orleans PD cop and Army reservist Rosa died that way, according to her autopsy report obtained by The 26-year-old had just returned from deployment in Kuwait when she had her $7,500 surgery at Prestige Plastic Surgery in the Coral Gables area of Miami. Over two days, we observed the comings and goings at several clinics spread across the city, including four who have experienced BBL deaths. At one of the busiest, Seduction, in the Little Havana district of Miami, cars and minivans came and went picking up BBL patients throughout the day. It advertises the op for 'between' $6,000 and $12,000. It is also where Tennessee mom-of-five Erica Russell died during a BBL in 2021. According to a wrongful death lawsuit, her surgeon Dr. John Sampson performed six BBLs starting at 6.32am before Russell's at 8.32pm. Sampson and the clinic deny negligence in a legal response to the lawsuit filed in Miami Dade County Court. Sampson also denies not having 'appropriate control' of the surgical instrument he was using for the op. The case is set for jury trial in January, 2026. Ten women died from BBL blunders at various clinics in Miami that year. So far in 2025 it has been two – Rosa and Las Vegas mom-of-one Ahmonique Miller, 28, who died from a lethal mix of drugs administered in an unlicensed recovery home. Pioneering plastic surgeon Dr. Pat Pazmino has been at the forefront of reducing those deaths from fat clogging an organ. He developed a cheap ultrasound system for surgeons allowing them to see inside the body and greatly decrease the chance of hitting an artery with a fat injection. Its use was signed into Florida state law in 2023. But he still paints a picture of terrifying lawlessness and negligence in the industry among some practices who flout the legislation and callously bend the rules, sometimes lethally, for profit. From his office in the trendy Brickell area of Miami the Harvard-educated doctor warned: 'It's like a game of Whack-a-Mole. You solve one problem and another pops up. 'There's no silver bullet to this. People are still being drawn to operations that are dangerously cheap, that cut corners and risk lives.' In a series of astonishing revelations, the doctor who works with other surgeons collating information to banish the rogues from his industry continued: 'Patients tell us that when they reach out to the very cheap clinics on social media, the clinic will tell them go ahead and send your pictures. 'And then the receptionist or the patient coordinator, who is not trained in medicine, will go ahead and tell the patient what they think they need and sign them up for surgery and collect the payment. 'And this person could be in St. Louis and the clinic will be in Miami. And no one's physically examined. Dr. Pazmino (pictured) also said that other doctors that conduct the procedures aren't even present for their patients post operation because they're flown out to Miami by the clinic, leaving the care of the patient up in the air 'It's terrible because that receptionist, they're assessing the patient. They're coming up with some kind of judgment. They're coming up with a diagnosis and they're eventually formulating a treatment plan. 'So, clinics that are doing that are illegally using non-medical personnel to illegally practice medicine.' Of the scalpel-for-hire surgeons, he revealed: 'What's very common is that these clinics will often attract doctors from other cities that will fly into Miami for a week, do surgery, and then leave. 'No appropriate plastic surgeon would ever practice that way. I would be thinking the whole time, what's going to happen to the patient once I leave? Who's going take care of that patient? 'And many of these clinics say they will do a BBL in one hour. I teach this procedure, and it takes me at least two hours. Ninety percent of it is liposuction, which is very physically demanding. It requires a lot of strength. 'Using fitness trackers, we've estimated performing one BBL is the equivalent of a 45-minute spin class. Some of these clinics are getting 70 or even 80-year-old surgeons doing large numbers of BBLs each day. Can a 70-year-old do the equivalent of multiple spin classes a day and not make a mistake? 'Some patients report that they were wheeled into the operation room at 9pm and the doctor had started working at 6am.' Pazmino, who is regularly updated with testimony reports to the Florida Board of Medicine and attends its meetings, disclosed horrifying details on some 'recovery homes' that pop up in Miami. Most BBL patients struggle to walk and battle through the pain of the first few hours, when they need the utmost care and attention. However, establishments provide a cheap BBL 'package' which at times are lethally and depressingly dangerous in their own right. 'These clinics will get an Airbnb for a month and fill it. They'll try to get in as many patients as they can. We've also heard about warehouses being rented out in that way too. They'll put down air mattresses, because they are portable and very cheap. 'But the worst so far is a budget clinic package where aftercare was included. Patients were attracted to that because it sounds like an incredible deal. 'But after surgery they were brought to what they were told was an aftercare center, yet in reality was a barn for horses with mattresses on the floor. That's where they were told to lie and recover. 'It was not sterile, it was filthy and there was no nursing staff. This is going on all the time.' Pazmino warned prospective patients considering a BBL to research not only the name of the clinic they are considering but, crucially, the address. 'When a clinic has many complications and maybe a death their name becomes toxic on the internet. So what they do is just change the name and keep going until a number of patients are hurt again,' he said. 'The same people, the same practices.' He also urged patients to minutely check a surgeon's credentials and warned of make-up artists. Rosa, who was also an Army reservist, had told the clinic multiple times in those four days leading up to her death when she came in for a lymphatic massage that the oxycodone she was given hadn't helped with the pain and that she was losing sensation in her toes 'You should look for the correct board certification, the American Board of Plastic Surgery,' he said. 'Because there are surgeons who come up with their own boards. 'So they say, I'm certified with the American Board of Abdominal Surgery. And the patient thinks, that's great. What they don't realize is it's completely made up, dishonest and dangerous. This is important, because someone can be a surgeon, but not have the expertise in this area. This is an ongoing problem.' Despite safeguards passing into Florida law, 'unfortunately patients are still dying from BBLs in Miami, with organ injuries, infections, poor after care. So these are things we have to focus on now.' Echoing Pazmino's aftercare concerns, investigation reveals a heartbreaking countdown to death for latest BBL victim Rosa at her down-at-heel looking Airbnb while she was being attended by a friend. It happened in March, but her family only revealed the tragedy late June. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's report shows Zavaris Leon-Moctevuma battled in vain to save Rosa with CPR when she was 'unresponsive' at 7am following four days of agony. Leon-Moctevuma was the sole caretaker. There was no medical staff at the single-story house on a small side street of modest homes half a mile from Prestige Plastic Surgery in Coral Gables. Rosa arrived in the city on March 18 without telling her family and the surgery took place next day. She was kept in the post-op room for one hour then discharged to the Airbnb, says the report. The next day, the cop took oxycodone before her follow up appointment, where she complained it wasn't nulling the excruciating pain. She was given a lymphatic massage, which removes excess fluid, and sent back to the Airbnb. Leon-Moctevuma helped her take a shower, where her blood pressure fell and she started to have trouble breathing, adds the report. The following day Rosa continued to battle for breath and 'complained that her glutes were hard'. Twenty-four hours later Rosa was still battling for breath. She had another lymphatic massage at the clinic and returned to the Airbnb 'where she complained of not feeling well and having no sensation in her toes'. Leon-Moctevuma attempted to help her by getting her snacks to help her sugar levels, tried to build iron levels by cooking her liver and showered her. At 7am on Sunday, March 23 the friend went to check on Rosa and found her unconscious in bed. She rang 911 and battled in vain to save her friend with the kiss of life before emergency services arrived. The report said Rosa, a native of Buffalo, New York, lived alone and it appeared she was 'not happy' at times and had made a therapist appointment. Her official cause of death is recorded as pulmonary embolism due to deep venous thromboses associated with cosmetic surgery. A fatal cocktail of drugs at a 'recovery' house killed other 2025 BBL victim Ahmonique Miller, 28, according to her Miami Dade Medical Examiner's report, obtained by She had her op at Avana Plastic Surgery, located inside a large nondescript building with other businesses in the north of the city, on March 7. And the medical report highlights the flexible nature of some quarters of Miami's BBL world. Miller arrived with her sister Kiera Barnes on March 6. Both planned to have the op that day. But Miller wanted extra work done. Her surgeon refused, saying he 'wasn't comfortable with that many surgeries in one day'. However, she found another surgeon with the same company 'who agreed to perform the surgery for an additional $1,500'. After the op she was taken to the unlicensed Keyla's Recovery House, a few blocks from bustling Calle Oche in Little Havana and run by Keyla Oliver. Her sister had already had her surgery. 'There are several accounts of what occurred after she arrived at the facility,' says the report. 'Per the decedent's sister, the owner… gave the decedent an unknown amount of the sister's muscle relaxers and two Percocet tablets from an unlabeled bottle... because her medication was not ready.' Later that day 'the owner' said she tried to wake Miller, but she didn't respond. The cause of death is recorded as acute combined drug toxicity (Oxycodone and Bromazolam). Percocet contains oxycodone and Bromazolam is a mind-altering designer drug that has never been marketed for medical use. When knocked on the door of the home to speak with owner Oliver, there was no response, despite two cars being on the driveway. But her attorney Bob Pardo told 'We do not comment on pending investigations. 'That said, Ms. Oliver has expressed her deepest condolences and prayers for the family and loved ones of the deceased.' Prestige Plastic Surgery said no one would be available for immediate comment on Tuesday but have not responded since. Avana Plastic Surgery did not respond to a request for a statement – nor did the Florida Department of Health, which regulates the ops, despite repeated attempts to obtain one.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Overseas surgeries leading to ‘leakage, sepsis, and even death'
At least 28 British individuals died between 2019 and March 2024 from complications following elective medical procedures, primarily weight loss surgery, performed in Turkey. Around 5,000 Britons travel overseas annually for cut-price weight loss surgery, contributing to a medical tourism industry valued at over £300 billion. Experts warn that this unregulated industry puts patients' lives at risk, with botched surgeries leading to severe complications, including 'leakage, sepsis, and even death'. A report by the BMJ highlights concerns over inadequate patient consent, lack of post-operative care, and the practice of offering multiple procedures within a single trip. There is an urgent call for transnational regulation, involving bodies such as the World Health Organisation, to protect patients and alleviate the burden on the NHS from complications.
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Weight loss surgery tourism needs urgent regulation, say UK experts
A booming trade in medical tourism for weight loss surgery is placing patients at risk and needs urgent regulation, experts have warned. Despite the growing popularity of injections such as Mounjaro to treat obesity, the number of patients travelling to other countries for surgery is increasing, the latest analysis suggests. And, with the wider medical tourism industry set to be worth about £300bn annually, with anticipated year-on-year growth of 25%, international regulation is urgently needed, according to a commentary in the journal BMJ Global Health. 'We are seeing this ongoing increase, linked to the globalisation of healthcare and long wait lists,' said Dr Jessica McGirr of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin and Imperial College London, adding that many are being marketed bariatric surgery through 'before and after' images on TikTok and Instagram. 'Incorrectly, surgery is often marketed from an aesthetic point of view,' McGirr said. 'This is complex surgery for treatment of a chronic disease with potentially significant health complications.' Lengthy NHS waiting lists, typically two years or more from referral, the unaffordable cost of private surgery in the UK and the increasing number of people living with obesity have led to more patients seeking bariatric surgery abroad. The out-of-pocket cost for bariatric surgery done privately in the UK is about £10,000-£15,000, but £2,500-£4,500 in countries such as Turkey, the commentary estimates. However, medical tourism packages rarely cover continued care in the case of complications or long-term nutritional or psychological support. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'If you just look at the statistics, there are nearly 4 million people in the UK who meet the Nice criteria for surgery, but we only do around 5,000 cases each year,' said Ahmed Ahmed, a consultant bariatric surgeon at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust and the president of the British Obesity & Metabolic Specialist Society. 'I certainly don't blame the patients. They recognise they have a disease.' 'I don't even blame the surgeons abroad,' Ahmed added. 'They see a gap in the market and they're exploiting it. They're able to supply surgery at a much cheaper price. What I don't like is when we see patients with problems from poorly conducted surgery. That upsets me a lot.' The BMJ commentary calls for the urgent creation of international quality standards for weight loss surgery, including an accreditation process that patients can use to choose high-quality providers abroad. This, McGirr suggested, could be funded by providers. 'There will be resistance to regulating the industry,' she said. 'Undoubtedly, not all centres would seek accreditation or regulation.' Procedures include gastric sleeve surgery, in which the size of the stomach is decreased by more than 70%, and gastric band surgery, which narrows the intestine. Both aim to restrict eating by making a person feel full, leading to a reduction in appetite. Botched surgery can lead to infections, surgical leaks, internal hernias and, in the worst cases, be fatal. Foreign Office figures from March 2024 revealed that at least 28 British people had died since 2019 due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey, many of which are thought to have been bariatric surgery. Last month, a doctor told the inquest of a 40-year-old British woman who died following weight loss surgery in Turkey in 2024 that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. However, Ahmed said he had observed a decrease in patients attending A&E with acute complications in the last two years, which he puts down to people choosing to privately fund obesity drug treatments rather than surgery.
