Unregulated Plastic Surgery Abroad Claims Yet More American Lives
Numerous Americans are traveling abroad to save money on medical treatments, a trend dubbed “medical tourism.” Many of these Americans go to other countries for less expensive plastic surgery. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued warnings about seeking medical care in other countries due to potential risks such as substandard care, exposure to infectious disease and highly drug-resistant bacteria, and an increased risk of blood clots due to flying following surgery.
In spite of these very clear warnings by the CDC, many Americans have recently suffered disfigurement -and tragically even death – due to substandard cosmetic surgical treatments performed in foreign countries.
Recent Plastic Surgery Deaths in Other Countries
Recently, a Mississippi lady died after undergoing gastric bypass weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Markita McIntyre, 34, died after surgery for a sleeve gastrectomy. She and a friend intended to save money by having this weight reduction procedure done in Mexico. One withdrew from the plan, while Ms. McIntyre, a mother of three, died on the operating table.
According to a recent CNN article, the CDC reported in that in 2019 alone 11other individuals who had surgery in Tijuana returned to the United States with uncommon antibiotic-resistant illnesses.
In June, a man from New York and a female high school teacher from Alabama died after cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.
Manuel Jose Nunez, 28, of New York, died after liposuction at Santo Domingo’s Caribbean Plastic Surgery Clinic. Manuel Jose Nunez was operated on by gynecologist Oscar Polanco at the Caribbean Plastic Surgery Clinic in Santo Domingo, who has been accused of being responsible for at least three more patient fatalities.
Alicia Williams, 45, a teacher from Birmingham, Alabama, also died as a result of complications after a series of cosmetic surgery procedures in the Dominican Republic. After undergoing liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a Brazilian butt lift in the DR, she had several medical problems – including blood clots, and loss of a significant amount of blood – and she tragically passed away.
Leigh Aiple, 31, spent more than $35,000 for a plastic surgery package in Malaysia but died less than 24 hours after returning home. His death has prompted warnings to others contemplating traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery.
CDC Warning Against “Medical Tourism” Plastic Surgery Abroad
The CDC cautions that the majority of health care institutions in the Dominican Republic, and many other countries, that cater to medical tourists do not meet the criteria required by international accrediting organizations.
They emphasize that American travelers going abroad seeking medical tourism surgeries have suffered illnesses, life-threatening infections, medical negligence, and even death.
Why Medical Tourism is so Dangerous
While one may see why people might choose medical tourism, due to the cost savings. But the dangers of unaccredited plastic surgery abroad clearly outweigh any financial advantages.
Some concerns of medical tourism plastic surgery are:
#1. Sanitization: In the United States, sterilization protocols and testing are conducted. There is no way to know how sanitary and well-maintained the instruments are in another country.
If a tool is not adequately sterilized, it may wind up costing the patients a lot more money in the long term due to infection, prolonged hospitalization, and botched aesthetic effects… as well as death.
#2. Training: Similarly, a patient does not know how a physician has been educated in another country, as opposed to how surgeons are trained in the United States.
In the United States, people may check to see whether a physician is registered, licensed, and trained to practice in a certain specialty. When searching the internet for foreign providers, you do not have the same degree of security.
In the United States, patients can ascertain their surgeon’s surgical skill level if they seek out an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Ali in Birmingham, MI. Additionally, in the US one can seek out surgeons (again like Dr. Ali) who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is comprised entirely of specialized plastic surgeons who continue their medical training and who focus exclusively on cosmetic surgery.
#3. Blood Supply: Medical tourism patients should also take into account the safety of the blood supply in hospitals located abroad. Numerous surgical procedures require blood transfusions – and if a patient has complications a transfusion is even more likely.
The blood supply in the US is highly regulated and exhaustively tested. But the blood supplies they are utilizing in another country may be safe or may not, and the fact is that there is no way to know for certain. Contaminated blood can lead to infection, diseases (such as HIV), and even death.
Don’t Risk Your Life on Plastic Surgery Abroad
Currently, medical tourism is unregulated, with bundle packages intended to allow patients to have the greatest number of operations possible in the quickest amount of time, regardless of any risk. And, despite what foreign physicians and clinics may promote, International standards simply do not exist.
Having plastic surgery performed abroad carries a considerable risk, since there is no assurance of the caliber or safety of the treatment you will get.
Board-certified Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali and our caring staff urge you not to consider going abroad for plastic surgery – even if it is cheaper. In the end, one “gets what one pays for” – and what you may be paying for with medical tourism is disfigurement or death.
Plastic Surgery | Birmingham, MI
Birmingham area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped thousands of women and men love their appearance and improve their confidence and quality of life with cosmetic surgery – safely and without complications.
Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward getting the plastic surgery you have always wanted – and look and feel like the best version of “you” that you can be! And if cost is an issue we can help you with easy financing options so that cost concerns do not steer you in a dangerous direction abroad!
Plastic Surgery Consultation | Birmingham, MI: 248-335-7200
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/in Vaginal Rejuvenation /by adminCDC Warns Against “Medical Tourism” Plastic Surgery Abroad
/in Cosmetic Surgery /by adminUnregulated Plastic Surgery Abroad Claims Yet More American Lives
Numerous Americans are traveling abroad to save money on medical treatments, a trend dubbed “medical tourism.” Many of these Americans go to other countries for less expensive plastic surgery. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued warnings about seeking medical care in other countries due to potential risks such as substandard care, exposure to infectious disease and highly drug-resistant bacteria, and an increased risk of blood clots due to flying following surgery.
In spite of these very clear warnings by the CDC, many Americans have recently suffered disfigurement -and tragically even death – due to substandard cosmetic surgical treatments performed in foreign countries.
Recent Plastic Surgery Deaths in Other Countries
Recently, a Mississippi lady died after undergoing gastric bypass weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Markita McIntyre, 34, died after surgery for a sleeve gastrectomy. She and a friend intended to save money by having this weight reduction procedure done in Mexico. One withdrew from the plan, while Ms. McIntyre, a mother of three, died on the operating table.
According to a recent CNN article, the CDC reported in that in 2019 alone 11other individuals who had surgery in Tijuana returned to the United States with uncommon antibiotic-resistant illnesses.
In June, a man from New York and a female high school teacher from Alabama died after cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.
Manuel Jose Nunez, 28, of New York, died after liposuction at Santo Domingo’s Caribbean Plastic Surgery Clinic. Manuel Jose Nunez was operated on by gynecologist Oscar Polanco at the Caribbean Plastic Surgery Clinic in Santo Domingo, who has been accused of being responsible for at least three more patient fatalities.
Alicia Williams, 45, a teacher from Birmingham, Alabama, also died as a result of complications after a series of cosmetic surgery procedures in the Dominican Republic. After undergoing liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a Brazilian butt lift in the DR, she had several medical problems – including blood clots, and loss of a significant amount of blood – and she tragically passed away.
Leigh Aiple, 31, spent more than $35,000 for a plastic surgery package in Malaysia but died less than 24 hours after returning home. His death has prompted warnings to others contemplating traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery.
CDC Warning Against “Medical Tourism” Plastic Surgery Abroad
The CDC cautions that the majority of health care institutions in the Dominican Republic, and many other countries, that cater to medical tourists do not meet the criteria required by international accrediting organizations.
They emphasize that American travelers going abroad seeking medical tourism surgeries have suffered illnesses, life-threatening infections, medical negligence, and even death.
Why Medical Tourism is so Dangerous
While one may see why people might choose medical tourism, due to the cost savings. But the dangers of unaccredited plastic surgery abroad clearly outweigh any financial advantages.
Some concerns of medical tourism plastic surgery are:
#1. Sanitization: In the United States, sterilization protocols and testing are conducted. There is no way to know how sanitary and well-maintained the instruments are in another country.
If a tool is not adequately sterilized, it may wind up costing the patients a lot more money in the long term due to infection, prolonged hospitalization, and botched aesthetic effects… as well as death.
#2. Training: Similarly, a patient does not know how a physician has been educated in another country, as opposed to how surgeons are trained in the United States.
In the United States, people may check to see whether a physician is registered, licensed, and trained to practice in a certain specialty. When searching the internet for foreign providers, you do not have the same degree of security.
In the United States, patients can ascertain their surgeon’s surgical skill level if they seek out an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Ali in Birmingham, MI. Additionally, in the US one can seek out surgeons (again like Dr. Ali) who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is comprised entirely of specialized plastic surgeons who continue their medical training and who focus exclusively on cosmetic surgery.
#3. Blood Supply: Medical tourism patients should also take into account the safety of the blood supply in hospitals located abroad. Numerous surgical procedures require blood transfusions – and if a patient has complications a transfusion is even more likely.
The blood supply in the US is highly regulated and exhaustively tested. But the blood supplies they are utilizing in another country may be safe or may not, and the fact is that there is no way to know for certain. Contaminated blood can lead to infection, diseases (such as HIV), and even death.
Don’t Risk Your Life on Plastic Surgery Abroad
Currently, medical tourism is unregulated, with bundle packages intended to allow patients to have the greatest number of operations possible in the quickest amount of time, regardless of any risk. And, despite what foreign physicians and clinics may promote, International standards simply do not exist.
Having plastic surgery performed abroad carries a considerable risk, since there is no assurance of the caliber or safety of the treatment you will get.
Board-certified Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali and our caring staff urge you not to consider going abroad for plastic surgery – even if it is cheaper. In the end, one “gets what one pays for” – and what you may be paying for with medical tourism is disfigurement or death.
Plastic Surgery | Birmingham, MI
Birmingham area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped thousands of women and men love their appearance and improve their confidence and quality of life with cosmetic surgery – safely and without complications.
Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward getting the plastic surgery you have always wanted – and look and feel like the best version of “you” that you can be! And if cost is an issue we can help you with easy financing options so that cost concerns do not steer you in a dangerous direction abroad!
Plastic Surgery Consultation | Birmingham, MI: 248-335-7200
Why Black Americans Are Getting More Botox & Facial Fillers
/in Botox, Facial Filler /by adminWhy Black Americans Are Getting More Botox & Facial Fillers Than Ever Before
Allure magazine just ran a very interesting article about the increasing use of Botox and facial fillers among Black Americans.
In this article renowned Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. M. Azar Ali continues this discussion and addresses some of the issues and concerns of men and women of color when considering Botox and/or facial fillers.
The Stigma of Cosmetic Procedures Has Disappeared
Many Bay Boomers were raised with a stigma surrounding treatments such as Botox or facial fillers. But now younger generations of Americans of all races are abandoning the shame associated with having work done.
Cosmetic treatments are now a subject that is now socially acceptable on a broad scale. While Baby Boomers and Gen X tend to see these procedures as remedial medicine, millennials and Gen Z tend to view aesthetic intervention as self-care and preventative medicine.
As a result, Botox and facial fillers have experienced a significant rise in interest among Black and brown patients.
Botox, Facial Fillers & Black Representation
One significant problem with injectable and other treatments has been representation in marketing portrayals.
When most of these aesthetic and anti-aging treatments were initially launched, they were marketed only to white women. Frustratingly, clinical studies of their effectiveness were also performed almost exclusively on white women.
So, for many women and men of color, it has traditionally been hard to see or envision themselves indulging in these cosmetic procedures. And, while the media still has a long way to go, thanks to more inclusivity in advertising Black individuals are now being included in the media conversation about Botox, facial fillers and other cosmetic products and treatments.
Statistics on Black Use of Botox & Facial Fillers
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, over 15.5 million cosmetic procedures were done in the United States alone. Botox was the most widely used coming in first position with 4.4 million procedures, followed by facial fillers at 3.4 million procedures.
In that report the ASPS noted that just 11% of all cosmetic procedures and 4% of Botox injections were performed on Black patients in 2020. But they also reported that Black interest in these procedures is increasing.
According to the same report, 1.78 million Black Americans had cosmetic operations in 2020, up from 1.77 million in 2019 and 1.68 million in 2018 to.
Unique Skin Concerns of Black Botox Patients
Aging seems to be somewhat different in patients of color. To begin with, “photo-aging” (skin damage due to UV sun exposure) happens more slowly in darker skin due to the increased amount of melanin. So, while Black patients may experience skin dullness and hyperpigmentation, typically, Black patients do not have skin that wrinkles very much with age.
Many Black men and women never develop true forehead lines. One is more likely to see vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows than to notice horizontal forehead lines. Whereas someone of the same age who is Caucasian will often have lines across the forehead in addition to the 11 lines. However, if you look at Asian populations, you’ll see that they often get crow’s feet more frequently than they develop forehead lines or “11s”.
Botox is ideal for treating the parallel, vertical “11s” between the eyes in patients with darker skin tones. It is also highly effective as a kind of “prejuvenation,” with younger patients receiving lower doses of Botox to prevent the development of creases between the eyes as they age.
Unique Skin Concerns of Black Facial Filler Patients
Collagen levels peak at age 22, and each year afterwards, a person loses roughly 1% of that collagen. While black individuals do not age as quickly as those with less pigmentation, decreasing collagen causes substantial volume loss in people of all skin colors.
This loss of facial volume can result in the development of smile lines, hollowness under the eyes, and sagging skin in the cheeks, jowls, and nasolabial areas. Facial fillers administered in these areas can restore youthful volume and plumpness to Black or brown skin.
Botox & Facial Filler Providers for Black Skin | Birmingham
Many Med Spas fail to understand the unique needs of African-American and others with melanin-rich skin.
Sadly, if you look at medical textbooks and training materials many (if not most) of the accompanying images present lighter and white skin tones. This has unfortunately produced a “blind zone” in many practices’ treatment of Black skin, since procedure results appear differently on darker skin.
It is critical to have cosmetic physicians and aestheticians who understand Black and brown skin, and who have years of experiencing treating patients of color. Dr. Ali himself, has very dark skin himself – so he not only comprehends the issues unique to darker skin tones, he has experienced them firsthand.
If you are a person of color who is interested in exploring the anti-aging and skin rejuvenating possibilities of Botox or facial fillers, you can trust your skin to Dr. Ali at AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa.
Schedule consultation at AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Birmingham and Dr. Ali will take the time to assess your unique skin and understand your personal aesthetic goals. Then he will customize a treatment plan based on your individual skin type, tone, color and condition – so that you will achieve the best results and look your best at any age.
Botox & Facial Fillers for Black Skin: 248-335-7200
EltaMD Sunscreens Provide Safe, Natural UV Protection
/in Skin Care /by adminEltaMD Sunscreens Provide Safe, Natural UV Protection
August is the hottest and sunniest time of year in Michigan. So, most of us are anxious to hit the beach and enjoy other outdoor activities – from cycling and hiking to backyard barbeques. Of course, by now everyone knows that sunscreen should be applied daily to protect the skin from dangerous UV rays.
Proper skin protection is the most effective way to ward of lines, wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging. Sunscreen is also the best way to avoid the development of skin cancer. But, with so many sunscreens on the market, it is hard to know which brand is best for our skin.
At AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Birmingham, MI, we have done the research for you! And, the clear winner is the EltaMD comprehensive line of sunscreens. EltaMD sunscreens are fragrance-free so you don’t smell like a Pina Colada all day. And they are noncomedogenic – which means they do not clog pores.
We love EltaMD sunscreens because they are lightweight and creamy sunscreen, absorb quickly and leaves no white cast. Even EltaMD offers a wide range of sunscreen formulas – with one that is right for virtually every skin care need.
Because we are such big fans of EltaMD’s spectrum of sun protectors for all skin types and concerns, offer these products for purchase at the best prices possible to our patients in our Birmingham Med Spa. Below is a discussion of some of our favorite EltaMD sunscreen products, to help you choose the UV protection that is right for your skin type and your lifestyle.
EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen
This sunscreen is great for pairing with a daily makeup look that is dewy and natural, with just a touch of bronze. This slightly tinted mineral sunscreen conceals flaws – blending out discolorations and toning down redness – while adding just a natural pop of color and glow to the skin.
The iron oxides in this formula help to filter visible light and aid in the prevention of hyperpigmentation. Additionally, ginger root and saccharide isomerate (a sugar like molecule) are active components that assist in reducing dark spots.
Another important component, squalane, promotes all day hydration by naturally locking in moisture without disturbing the skin’s delicate skin barrier – which makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin.
EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen
When the weather begins to climb on humid days in Michigan, nothing beats EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50. This sunscreen formula prevents 98 percent of UVB rays – yet is breakout-free a result of the product’s noncomedogenic nature, which does not clog pores.
I’s thin, glossy texture means it can be applied liberally without the danger of going overboard since the sunscreen almost melts into the skin upon application, completely absorbing. And since it is also water- and sweat-resistant it won’t come off after a swim or a run. Unlike other brands of high-protection sunscreens it never feels sticky, even in high humidity, and provides sun protection without the white cast.
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is ideal for patients with acne-prone skin. Two important components in this product are niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which help soothe and protect the skin from irritation.
In addition to being an excellent option for anybody suffering from acne, it is also ideal for men and women suffering from rosacea or hyperpigmentation. And for patients whose complexion may be very dry, particularly in specific areas around the face, hyaluronic also rehydrates skin, while acting as a sun-protected concealer replacement. There really is nothing that this sunscreen cannot accomplish!
EltaMD UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 is excellent for patients prone to dry, parched skin. Someone with dry can reap the benefits from using this sunblock even if they are not going outside.
Daily use of this sunscreen may result in noticeably plumper, more moisturized skin. This formula includes hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), a humectant with a 1,000-fold capacity to retain water, as well as a moisturizing component called dimethicone, which traps moisture in the skin and helps it retain hydration.
We love EltaMD UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 so much we have put in on sale at 10% off for the Month of August 2021, so all of our patients can experience the amazing skin replenishing benefits that this product offers in addition to excellent sun protection.
EltaMD Sunscreens | Birmingham, MI
No matter what you skin color, type, or skin care concerns, EltaMD Sunscreens has a formula for you.
All EltaMD Sunscreens are natural, safe, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and absorb quickly without leaving a white residue.
Stop by our Birmingham Med Spa and our experienced skin care experts will help you choose the EltaMD sunscreen product that is right for you.
Buy EltaMD Sunscreens | Birmingham, MI:248-335-7200
What to Know About the Benzene Sunscreen Recall
/in Skin Care /by adminWhat to Know About the Benzene Sunscreen Recall
Recent discoveries of the chemical benzene in certain topical sunscreens have sparked concerns among doctors and patients alike. And while physicians are split on the right degree of alarm about this problem, one thing is clear: Benzene does not belong in sunscreen.
In this article the skin care experts at AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in the Troy, MI area discuss the most recent data about the sunscreens that were recalled for containing sunscreen – and provide you with the information you need to ensure your sunscreen is benzene free!
The Benzene Sunscreen Recall
Johnson & Johnson announced a voluntary recall this past month for many of its sunscreen sprays manufactured by Neutrogena. These included:
These contaminated products were all in spray format, not lotion or cream.
If you have any of these products you should discontinue their usage and contact the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Care Center 24/7 with inquiries or to seek a refund: 1-800-458-1673
Johnson & Johnson continues to downplay the incident, saying in a statement that “internal testing revealed minor amounts of benzene in certain product samples” and that the recall is being conducted “out of an excess of caution”.
What Is Benzene & Why is it a Dangerous Chemical in Sunscreen?
You are not alone if you are unfamiliar with benzene. According to the CDC, it is a chemical that occurs naturally in volcanoes and forest fires – and is also a component of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.
According to the CDC, it is a chemical that the majority of Americans are likely exposed to in small amounts on a daily basis, since it is present in trace amounts in the air we breathe due to cigarette smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. Additionally, Benzene is used to manufacture compounds used in man-made goods such as plastics, dyes, and detergents, as well as glue and paint.
While small quantities of benzene are not as concerning, levels of benzene more than 2 parts per million ppm are perhaps hazardous. Some research suggests that benzene may be carcinogenic when applied to large areas of skin, particularly because benzene is a very volatile solvent – meaning that it penetrates the cell membrane very quickly and easily, and thus can pass right through the skin into the bloodstream.
Are Other Sunscreens Safe?
Because of the recall many of our Troy, MI area patients have expressed concerns regarding the safety of all sunscreens. But these fears are completely baseless, as long as one purchases sunscreen from a trusted, natural brand.
According to a recent American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) pronouncement on the recent recall benzene is not and has never been a component in any sunscreen formulas. In other words, the recent Johnson & Johnson (Neutrogena) contamination problem was due to a mistake with the manufacturing process, not with the sunscreen formulas themselves.
But, earlier this year, the same laboratory that discovered benzene in many sunscreens also discovered it in numerous hand sanitizers. Excessive amounts of benzene have also been detected in soft drinks and other beverages during the past several decades.
EltaMD: Safe, Natural, Benzene-free Sunscreens | Troy, MI
Proper skin protection is the most effective way to ward of lines, wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging. Even more importantly, sunscreen with a high SPF is the best way to avoid the development of skin cancer. So, sunscreen should be applied daily – and it is important to not let the recent recalls “scare you off” using sun protection.
At AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in the Troy, MI area, we highly recommend the EltaMD comprehensive line of sunscreens. EltaMD sunscreens are fragrance-free so you don’t smell like a Pina Colada all day. And they are noncomedogenic – which means they do not clog pores.
We also love EltaMD sunscreens because they are lightweight and creamy sunscreen, absorb quickly and leaves no white cast. And they incorporate many nutritive ingredients that can heal, hydrate and restore skin, in addition to offering UV protection.
EltaMD offers a wide range of sunscreen formulas – with one that is right for virtually every skin care need. And because we are such big fans of EltaMD’s spectrum of sun protectors for all skin types and concerns, offer these products for purchase at the best prices possible to our patients in our Birmingham Med Spa.
If you live in the greater Troy, MI area, stop by AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa and our experienced skin care experts will help you choose the EltaMD sunscreen product that is right for you!
EltaMD Safe Benzene-free Sunscreens | Troy, MI: 248-335-7200