By Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder

Many people have surgeries performed while vacationing abroad.

“Patients who travel to another country to seek health care are referred to as medical tourists. The term arose because many Americans seek less expensive elective surgical, dental, or cosmetic procedures while vacationing abroad,” according to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine.

This study reports that in 2017, more than 1.4 million Americans sought health care in “a variety of countries around the world.”

Many of these Americans are not exactly getting health-related care per se. They are getting cosmetic procedures, including liposuction, tummy tucks, Brazillian butt lifts and more.

But while it may be cheaper to receive certain healthcare overseas, the “price” some people end up paying may not be worth it. 

“Patients traveling to developing countries for plastic surgery procedures may experience severe complications—requiring extensive and costly treatment after they return to the United States,” reports the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Some of these complications may include pain, surgical site infections and issues with wound healing. And, unfortunately, for some people it ends up costing them their lives.

Take, for example, the recent story of a mother and school teacher named Alicia Williams. She traveled to the Dominican Republic where she reportedly had multiple cosmetic procedures, including liposuction on her arm, a tummy tuck and a Brazillian butt lift.  

(The Dominican Republic has few restrictive rules on the number of surgeries you can get at once).

Williams was anemic. Basically, anemia is a blood disorder in which a person does not have enough red blood cells or their red blood cells do not function properly. There are different types of anemia, and the kind you have likely heard of is iron-deficiency anemia. A low level of iron in the blood is a major risk factor for developing blood clots.  

Reports say that Williams lost a lot of blood due to having multiple surgeries, and then she later died from blood clots. Williams was initially hospitalized after her surgeries, because she felt very weak from the procedures. She died only five days after her surgeries. She was just 45. 

Sadly, there are multiple stories such as the one about Alicia Williams with medical tourists getting cosmetic procedures abroad and losing their lives.

Just this past June, a man from New York died after getting liposuction in the Dominican Republic. Reportedly, he died of respiratory distress. 

And according to another news story from this past July, “...New York mother, 33-year-old Alexandra Medina, died on the operating table of a pulmonary embolism at a clinic in Santo Domingo after undergoing liposuction and tummy tuck surgery.” 

There was yet another incident back in 2018 where an American woman reportedly died after going to Mexico for breast implant replacement and a nose job. She passed from complications with anesthesia. 

It’s not only tragic, but frightening to see these stories. And you can do a simple Google search of “medical tourism” and find many more.  

Obviously, I don’t recommend medical tourism for anyone unless they work with an independent and qualified local medical professional. But individuals should also be aware of less invasive procedures available to improve their appearance.

For example, there are some instances where instead of liposuction, a tummy tuck or a face lift, utilization of Cryo T-Shock treatments may be helpful to improve appearance.

The Cryo T-Shock involves the use of a very innovative technology which identifies exactly where troublesome fat is located and delivers alternating “thermal shocks” of thermography (heat therapy) and cryotherapy (cold therapy). It is more frequently utilized for its ability to destroy fat cells and cellulite as well as sculpt the face and body. Cryotherapy hyper stimulates the skin and tissue which speeds up the cellular activities and immediately improves the appearance of the skin by tightening it. Cryotherapy also causes the blood vessels and capillaries to expand by up to 400%. This also contributes to improved skin appearance due to increased circulation and permeability of the skin.  

Many people compare Cryo T-Shock to Cool Sculpting, but they are very different procedures. Cool Scullpting is more expensive and usually only available for fat loss. Unlike Cryo T-Shock, Cool Sculpting is not available for skin tightening, facials, lymphatic drainage, pain relief or cellulite reduction. 

So How Does Cryo T-Shock Work?

Certain treatments, like the body contouring, usually last for about 30- 60 minutes and are done manually employing a massage technique. The session usually “begins with 2 minutes of heat and then a prolonged period of cold (22-26 minutes) and then back to heat for another 2-3 minutes.”

“The purpose of the treatment is to lower the temperature of the fat cells enough to cause what is known as the phenomenon of apoptosis. This phenomenon is triggered when the temperature of the fat tissue is between 12 and 17 C which causes these cells to die. The cells are then naturally passed through the body’s lymphatic system and excreted through sweat and urine,” according to Chiltonic, a cryotherapy clinic. 

Cryo T-shock treatments are reportedly safe, painless and effective. This treatment may jumpstart your weight loss efforts, reduce cellulite, improve circulation, tighten saggy skin and remove stubborn areas of fat.  

“It has also been proven to help with micro circulation and a significant increase in collagen due to the thermal shock that is caused by the hot and cold,” says Chilltonic.

Cryo T-Shock facials help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote collagen production in the skin. In my opinion, this facial is a better option over getting an invasive face lift that has a high risk of complications.

Treatments like the Cryo T-Shock produce more natural looking results. (We’ve all seen what can happen when someone has too many invasive cosmetic procedures). 

And remember, nothing can compensate for leading a healthy and active lifestyle. Along with considering T-Shock treatments, remember it is always good to eat healthily (as in a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables), be physically active and manage your stress levels in order to maintain your looks and health as you age. If you take these proactive steps, the better results you will see from Cryo T-Shock treatments. 

There are also contraindications.

Individuals with the following conditions should avoid Cryo T-shock treatment:

• Kidney disease or if receiving dialysis
• Pregnant women
• Severe diabetes
• Undergoing chemotherapy

Proactive Health Labs endorses these safe alternatives to healthily identify and remove fat and look our best. Visit us in Sherman Oaks and Encinitas to experience the Cryo T-shock. It is extremely important that we all take the time to identify safe available cosmetic procedures and avoid riskier ones, so we can be safe and enjoy our healthy lives!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.