Quebec associations representing plastic surgeons and infection specialists are warning people about the risks of infection from getting cosmetic surgery done in the Dominican Republic.
The Quebec Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Quebec Association of Physician Microbiologists and Infectiologists are issuing the warning after reported infections in New York City and Connecticut in March and April.
"When there's next door, ten reported cases, I find that's a lot," said Dr. Eric Bensimon, president of the Quebec Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The cases involved women aged between 28 and 39 who got procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks or breast implants done in the Dominican Republic.
Bensimon said they're warning anyone who's had any such work done on themselves recently in the Dominican Republic to watch out for redness, swelling and pain that could lead to this rare infection only contracted in tropical locations.
"This typical micro bacterium is known to cause necrosis which is death of tissue, so death of pieces of skin," Bensimon told CJAD 800 News.
"It will leave very big scars or cosmetic disfigurement."
Bensimon said they're warning against this kind of medical tourism which may be cheaper but riskier.