More than 200,000 cosmetic and bariatric surgeries are performed in Tijuana each year (500 cosmetic surgeries and 250 bariatric operations daily).
- More than 200,000 cosmetic and bariatric surgeries are performed in Tijuana each year (500 cosmetic surgeries and 250 bariatric operations daily).
- Mexico occupies the second place in the world in medical tourism, and Tijuana, the first national place, with an spill of more than 29 million direct pesos.
TIJUANA.- Corruption is what has allowed charlatanism in the practice of aesthetic medicine, considers Dr. Hermes Vila Pelayo, plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, member of the Tijuana Medical College, lamenting that, between 2022 and so far in 2023, They have registered 5 deaths due to bad practices in cosmetic surgery, in Baja California.
In this border city, he reported, more than 200,000 aesthetic and bariatric surgeries are performed per year, that is, 250 bariatric operations are performed per day, and 500 of the aesthetic type, which is the type of surgery with the greatest demand, and , therefore, where there are more risks.
Also, indicated Dr. Hermes Avila, that is why this city has been characterized as the main one, the first place in the whole country, in medical tourism, with a spill of more than 29 million direct pesos, without counting what is generated, in economic benefits, for hotels, food, transportation and other expenses per person, as well as the generation of thousands of jobs.
Mexico ranks second in the world in medical tourism, only following Istanbul, Turkey, confirmed the plastic surgeon, in his presentation at the forum of the National Association of Journalists AC (ANPAC) Baja California, betting that this year Mexico will occupy the world first place
Regarding the fight once morest corruption in the medical sector, vila Pelayo applauded the decree of Governor Marina del Pilar vila Olmeda, and that the local Congress legislated to toughen the penalties once morest doctors who engage in malpractice, with even fatal consequences.
“Before, the law set a penalty of 5 years in prison and the detainee might be released on bail; now the penalties are higher, without the right to bail,” said Dr. Hermes Vila, who described these legislative and governmental actions as wise to combat quackery, but, he added, above all, what must be done are awareness campaigns.
Likewise, he recommended that the entire population in general investigate, before undergoing cosmetic or bariatric surgery, first, confirming that the place has permits and certifications for the type of operations they offer; that the doctor has a certificate in the specialty of plastic, aesthetic and/or reconstructive surgery; the procedure to be carried out, and, above all, that the patient, jointly responsible, does not lie in his questionnaire.
These, and other data, by the way, indicated Dr. Hermes Avila, are taken into account in the corresponding complaints and investigations, due to presumption of malpractice in surgery, since, if the place is certified, and also the doctor, it What follows are the investigations around the procedures, and what the patient declared when filling out their questionnaire.
“It’s not that we try to protect each other, but when the patient lies, even if the doctor has the best experience and expertise in the world, something can go wrong, especially if the person has heart disease, or is addicted to drugs.” drugs, in short, things that are sometimes omitted”, he explained.
In a question and answer session, he told the media that, just as there are doctors who feel qualified to practice plastic, aesthetic and/or reconstructive surgery, without being specialized, there are charlatans due to corruption, but it is unknown how many doctors There are charlatans, since the investigations are reduced to the complaints that are presented, and inspections by health authorities.
At the beginning of his presentation, Dr. Hermes Vila Pelayo reported that an alliance of various medical associations of specialists in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including bariatric surgery, is in the making, which will bring many benefits to Tijuana.