WASHINGTON: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that cosmetic procedures performed during medical tourism trips can expose patients to serious health risks, including severe infections and, in some cases, death.
In a report released, the CDC highlighted growing concerns over complications linked to cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation and other elective procedures performed both within the United States and abroad.
The warning accompanies a study published in the CDC’s journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, which reviewed more than 2,100 reports involving US residents who traveled for cosmetic procedures between 2014 and 2024.
Researchers identified 21 reports involving approximately 145 patients who experienced adverse outcomes, including infections associated with domestic and international surgery centers and clinics. Four of the reports involved patient deaths.
According to the CDC, investigations at some facilities uncovered significant shortcomings in infection-control practices, including inadequate environmental cleaning, improper use of personal protective equipment, poor hand hygiene and failures in the reprocessing of surgical instruments.
“More and more people are getting medical procedures outside the United States, but there are risks,” said Kiara McNamara, a CDC nurse epidemiologist and lead author of the study.
The report found that post-surgical infections were documented in 20 of the 21 reports reviewed, including 12 suspected or confirmed bacterial infection outbreaks.
The CDC noted that Americans frequently travel to countries such as Mexico, Canada and destinations across Central America, South America and the Caribbean for medical care. Common reasons include lower treatment costs, access to culturally familiar providers and procedures that may be unavailable or not approved in the United States.
Medical tourism often involves treatments ranging from cosmetic surgery and dental care to fertility services, organ transplants and cancer treatment.
Health officials also warned about counterfeit cosmetic injectables and unregulated procedures, which have been linked to severe infections, fungal meningitis, paralysis and death.
The agency called for stronger surveillance systems, closer coordination between healthcare providers and public health authorities, and improved patient education to help identify complications early and reduce preventable harm.
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The CDC urged individuals considering cosmetic procedures abroad to thoroughly research healthcare facilities, verify provider credentials and understand potential risks before undergoing treatment.
