Cosmetic Surgery Travel Risks Linked to Serious Infections, CDC Review Finds
Traveling for cosmetic procedures may seem appealing because of lower costs and shorter waiting times. However, cosmetic travel risks can include serious infections and other health complications. A recent review found that some patients experienced severe outcomes after undergoing cosmetic surgery away from home.
Review Highlights Growing Concerns
Researchers examined 2,162 public health consultations related to medical care received outside a patient’s usual area. Among those cases, 34 involved people who traveled for medical treatment. After applying specific criteria, investigators identified 21 consultations involving about 145 patients who underwent cosmetic procedures.
The review focused only on cosmetic interventions. Therefore, it excluded reconstructive surgeries, bariatric procedures, and nonmedical travel cases. In addition, two investigators independently reviewed the consultations to ensure accurate and consistent data collection.
Common Procedures and Infection Cases
Many patients traveled both within and outside the United States for cosmetic treatments. Seventeen consultations involved international travel, while four involved domestic travel. Liposuction and abdominoplasty were the most frequently reported procedures.
Researchers found that 16 consultations involved patients receiving multiple cosmetic procedures during the same visit. Patient numbers ranged from one to 38 per consultation. In several cases, clusters of patients from different states received treatment from the same provider or facility within a short period.
Serious Outcomes Reported
Postsurgical infections appeared in 20 of the 21 consultations reviewed. Most notably, 12 consultations involved confirmed nontuberculous mycobacteria infections. Another consultation reported a suspected infection of the same type.
Surgery centers and clinics were the healthcare settings most often linked to these cases. As a result, investigators highlighted the importance of strong infection prevention and control practices. Four consultations also reported patient deaths, although researchers did not confirm that every fatality resulted directly from an infection. The findings emphasize the need for careful planning and informed decisions before seeking cosmetic procedures away from home.
