Traveling for cosmetic procedures can lead to complications

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Traveling in United States or to another county to undergo surgery has become increasingly popular. A study published yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases found that medical tourism for a cosmetic procedure increased the risk of postsurgical complications such as infections.

While it’s unclear how many people travel for cosmetic surgery currently, medial tourism is expected to increase, the study noted. Many people choose to undergo procedures in different states or countries because they’re hoping for shorter waits and less-expensive procedures.

“More and more people are getting medical procedures outside the United States, but there are risks,” lead author Kiara McNamara, DNP, a nurse epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in a CDC press release. “It’s essential for patients to be informed and prepared before making decisions about seeking cosmetic surgery abroad.”

For the study, the researchers used specific terms to search consultations—written or verbal requests from health departments to the CDC for help—to find patients who traveled for cosmetic procedures and experienced complications from January 2014 through December 2024.

The need for better awareness

Researchers looked at consultations on Americans who traveled either domestically or internationally for cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction, tummy tucks, butt lifts, and breast augmentation and experienced infections or other complications. They found 21 reports that included about 145 people who experienced complications after visiting domestic or international surgical centers.

More and more people are getting medical procedures outside the United States, but there are risks.

Kiara McNamara, DNP

Twenty consultations included postoperative infections. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) likely contributed to 12 of those cases. NTM probably occurred when patients came into contact with contaminated water or ice during their procedures.

The authors noted that traveling for surgery can lead to gaps in infection control, contributing to potential complications when people return home. During a domestic and an international investigation mentioned in the study, experts had looked at infection prevention measures and discovered worrisome procedures related to cleaning, use of personal protective equipment, hand washing, and the sterilization of surgical equipment.

Finding outbreaks related to medical tourism remains difficult because they’re underreported. It’s also unclear whether surgical centers follow their patients after procedures, making it harder to detect infections and complications, the authors said.

To reduce complications, providers should share the potential risks of medical tourism with patients, the researchers said. Recommending that patients undergo procedures close to home could reduce postsurgical complications. Also, doctors should report infections and other complications, even if they seem minor, to the CDC to aid in potential investigations, they added.