Ever more people are visiting Turkey from abroad for nose jobs, hair transplants and similar procedures. Prices are low, but could there be risks? Ever more people are visiting Turkey from abroad for nose jobs, hair transplants and similar procedures. Prices are low, but could there be risks? "I wanted a nose job since turning 13. I heard Turkish doctors were good at them. A few girlfriends of mine had similar surgeries; they were very satisfied." Benita Paloja, a 28-year-old woman from the US, decided to do as her friends had done and flew to Turkey to get cosmetic surgery on her nose. She says she paid just $5,000 (€4,600) and was able to fly home a week later. Paloja, who works in the finance industry and as a part-time model, is pleased she had the surgery. She says she feels more confident today and has been hired for more modelling gigs. She also enthusiastically recalls the comprehensive care she received at the clinic. She says she is still in touch with the medical team. "I could have had the same surgery in the US for $30,000 (€27,800), though I certainly wouldn't have received the kind of attention and care I did in Turkey," says Paloja. Turkey has seen a medical tourism boom since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, over 670,000 foreigners visited Turkey to receive medical treatment, according to the country's state-owned International Health Services (USHAS) agency. One year later, that number rose to over 1.25 million, an increase of 88%. In the first six months of 2023, the figures remained similarly high.  Turkish health care facilities are generating considerable revenue from this international business, totaling more than $2 billion (€1.85 billion) in 2022. Revenue fell slightly in the first half of 2023, though experts believe this was primarily due to Turkey's devastating February earthquake, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people. Germans top the list In 2022, most foreigners seeking medical treatment in Turkey hailed from Germany, followed by Britain and Switzerland, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Botox and hyaluronic acid treatments for combating wrinkles were the most popular nonsurgical procedures among foreigners in Turkey. The top three surgical procedures were liposuction, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. Turkey has also become ever more attractive for leg lengthening procedures. It is especially popular with men from the West who want to be taller. One of those who underwent the procedure is 31-year-old Ash (not his actual name) from the US, who until recently was dissatisfied with his body proportions. After undergoing surgery, he has gained 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) in height and is now 184 centimeters (just over 6 feet) tall. Ash says he feels much better now, though he admits that "it was a very painful procedure and the recovery phase took an incredibly long time." Even so, he says it was worth it. Ash says his chances when flirting have improved, and he now enjoys more respect from others.  Suffering for beauty's sake Yunus Oc, an experienced Istanbul-based orthopedic surgeon, says he has performed more than 200 leg lengthening procedures in the past two years alone. "I used to mainly perform this procedure for medical reasons following accidents or because of growth disorders or short stature," he says. In recent years, however, more and more people have sought him out for cosmetic rather than medical reasons, Oc says. He thinks the number of these surgeries will continue to rise over the next three to five years. But he warns that, unlike with nose or breast surgeries, leg lengthening procedures can have very serious consequences if the desired results are not achieved. There has been a growing number of reports about complications resulting from cosmetic surgery performed in Turkey. A year ago, Germany's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, reported that some 27 people had suffered poisoning following a botox stomach treatment. The procedure involves injecting botox into the stomach lining to create a prolonged feeling of satiety. The treatment caused serious side effects in some patients, including muscle weakness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties and sometimes paralysis. In mid-January, a Brazilian butt lift had deadly consequences for a British woman. The mother of three went to Istanbul for the cosmetic surgery and suffered a fatal heart attack four days later that was triggered by a fat embolism, according to British media. The procedure involves removing fat from the patient's body and using it plump up and enlarge the buttocks. Experts urge caution Do such incidents indicate that Turkish doctors or clinics are not professional enough? Dr. Susanne Punsmann, an expert with the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre in Germany, advises against generalizations, saying "there are good and bad [health care] facilities in Turkey, just like everywhere else." Punsmann points out that the title of "cosmetic surgeon" is not protected by law, which is why she recommends that anyone interested in getting treatment in Turkey thoroughly check the doctors' qualifications or find out how often they have already performed the planned procedure. Punsmann also says that doctors with the relevant qualifications are known as "specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery." She adds, however, that "other doctors — usually surgeons, dermatologists or gynecologists — are also allowed to perform cosmetic surgery." She says it is also important to check whether the doctor or clinic is certified according to European standards, such as the ISO standards, indicating that the clinic is regularly inspected, among other things. Patients should also find out about the materials or laboratory used, according to Punsmann. Ali Ihsan Okten of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) says one should be careful about noncertified clinics. He warns that the health tourism boom is causing an increasing commercialization in the industry. The market is highly competitive. Clincs are using aggressive advertising tactics, sending out text and WhatsApp messages and promoting their low prices to attract customers around the world. "The key criterion for getting treatment in Turkey is often the low cost," says Punsmann. "Savings of up to 70% are possible." She says that while a breast augmentation procedure will cost at least €4,500 ($4,800) in Germany, such a procedure can be had for as little as €2,500 ($2,700) in Turkey. In Düsseldorf, Germany, getting a surgical procedure to reduce the size of one's stomach costs around €12,500 ($13,400), whereas in Turkey it costs only a third of that price. This means you can save a lot of money in Turkey, especially on expensive procedures. But these savings may increase the willingness of some people to take greater risks.   

Pop star Dani Li has died aged 42, after complications during a liposuction surgery. The singer, who was widely known in Brazil and took part in talent shows in her hometown as a child before finding fame as an adult, had an operation on Friday, it’s been claimed. Reports state she underwent surgery for a liposuction on her stomach and back, as well as a breast reduction, but was rushed to hospital after suffering a complication. The mum-of-one, whose real name is Danielle Fonseca Machado, died on Wednesday. Her husband, Marcelo Mira, with whom she shares a seven-year-old daughter, told local media on Thursday, according to The Sun: ‘Her body arrives tomorrow in Macapá. ‘We are very shaken by all this. The burial will be on Saturday.’ Following her death, the family also shared on her social media pages that a ceremony will take place at a larger venue for those who wish to pay their condolences and say goodbye ‘to our star’. Announcing her death on Facebook, Li’s close ones thanks fans for their support and said that though the family are ‘shaken’ they are doing as well as possible. Li was well known for her song ‘Eu sou de Amazonia’, translated to I’m from the Amazon. She was born in Afua, in the Amazon jungle, and started singing when she was five, before moving to Macapa when she was 17. Her latest song was released two months ago. Her cause of death has yet to be confirmed as it’s not clear what led to the medical complication, and an investigation into her death is reported to be underway.

At least 7 members in Ashulia sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in their house following a gas leak explosion.  The incident took place at 8 pm on Saturday at shripur in Ashulia. They were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. The victims are, Md. Sadiqul (28), Md. Hasim Ali (40), deleted. Sabina Begum (40), Md. Nazrul Islam (45), Md. Mohsin (27) and Mocha. Kamala Begum (50). Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery's Resident doctor, Tariqul Islam said that 6 people were admitted to the hospital. Among them, 45 percent of Hashem Ali, 46 percent of Nazrul Islam, 50 percent of Sadiqul Islam, 50 percent of Sabina Begum, 20 percent of Kamla Begum and 10 percent of Mohammad Hossain were burnt.  Five of them are in critical condition and one has been kept under close observation.

The doctors at SKIMS, Soura performed a unique cardiac surgery by replacing the aortic root, aortic valve and transposing the coronary arteries to the newly formed aortic root. This operation is known as Bentall’s operation. A team of doctors headed by Professor Muhammad Akbar Bhat performed the operation on a 52-year-old female, resident of Kupwara, who was suffering from aortic root (origin of largest artery from the heart) dilatation (diameter 6.5 cms). “She had a grossly leaking heart valve (Severe Aortic Regurgitation). The patient had the imminent danger of death due to rupture of the aorta (the largest artery of the heart) or heart failure and was not able to perform daily routine activities due to this heart ailment. The patient was evaluated by Cardiologists at the Department of Cardiology and planned for Surgery after approval,” it added. Dr Mohammed Akbar Bhat, (Professor and Head division III) of the CVTS  department informed the patient was operated and the aortic root and aortic valve was replaced with an aortic Root conduit (Artificial synthetic tube, combined with metallic valve) and transposed both the coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying the heart) in one go. The operation was assisted by Dr Yaqub Khan, Dr M Sahil, and Dr Abid.  “During these operations, the heart is totally bye-passed and no blood goes through it. The function of the Heart and lungs is taken over by the heart Lung machine(CPB) during the operation and the heart is kept standstill (arrested) by instilling drugs till the operation is completed. After the operation the heart starts  beating of its own or is made to beat normally by giving electric shocks,” the hospital said “The Aortic root replacement (Bentall’s Operation) has been performed for the first time in SKIMS. This operation requires extraordinary knowledge and skills for better outcomes. After surgery, the patient was shifted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit where an expert nursing team managed her postoperative period. The patient is doing well after surgery and has been discharged from the institute,” it said. “Such operations are being performed at very few centres in  India,” said  Dr AG Ahanger, Director and ex-officio secretary to the government, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). Source: India Blooms    

A two-year-old UAE-based girl with a Pakistani passport has got a new lease of life after undergoing a rare bone marrow transplant in the south Indian state of Kerala. Kulsum, who is an Afghani but holds a Pakistani passport, underwent the procedure at Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut. According to the healthcare group, this is the first successful bone marrow transplant performed on a child as young as Kulsum. Kulsum was diagnosed with congenital acute myeloid leukaemia. She had undergone four cycles of chemotherapy in Dubai. Her doctors suggested she undergo a bone marrow transplant, but the treatment procedure was not available in Dubai. The family faced multiple obstacles while seeking treatment in India with a Pakistani passport. Though Kulsum's family are Afghanis, her grandparents had come to the UAE decades ago for business. They travelled to the UAE with a Pakistani passport as they could not travel with an Afghani one at that time, according to Aster. Kulsum's father, Mohammed, was born in the UAE and acquired a Pakistani passport. After their travel was facilitated, Kulsum underwent intensive chemotherapy. When her symptoms subsided after her chemo, she underwent a hemopoietic stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant). Mohammed donated stem cells to his daughter. Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said: "It is common for foreigners to seek medical treatment in Kerala. However, in this case, despite such complex circumstances, it is an outstanding example of the fact that Kerala's healthcare has gained global attention."

Ailing ex-Health and Family Welfare Minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim underwent a successful surgery on Friday after suffering a stroke, said Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.   “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked to Tanvir Shakil Joy, son Mohammad Nasim, over phone. His family members sought doa from the people of the country for his recovery,” Biplab Barua said in a facebook post.   Earlier, the condition of AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim deteriorated following a stoke while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city.   Director and CEO of Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in Shyamoli, Imran Chowdhury, said, “The Awami League leader suffered a stroke around 5 am on Friday. He is undergoing a surgery under Dr Rabiul Haque, chief of Neurosurgery Department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.” Earlier on Thursday, the condition of the politician improved and he was scheduled to be shifted to a cabin from ICU, he added.   On June 2, Mohammad Nasim tested positive for coronavirus shortly after he was admitted to a private hospital in the capital, said Nasim’s son Tanvir Shakil.   A stalwart of the ruling party, in his present role he has been acting as the convenor for the 14-party ruling alliance built around the heft of AL.  Source: UNB AH

Physicians have said that after controlling the infections they are going to perform a bypass surgery on Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader who is at present undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. But for that Quader needs to wait 5-7 days because he will be taken to operation theater when his physical condition improves. Earlier a five-member medical board was formed led by interventional cardiology department Senior Consultant and Principal Physician of the hospital Philip Koh. He briefed about Obaidul Quader’s latest physical condition on Tuesday afternoon. Referring him Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) neurology department Professor Dr. Abu Naser Rizvi who is accompanying Quader, said, some infections were detected in his kidneys and other parts of body. His condition is better than the previous and developing. So after controlling the infections doctors will perform bypass surgery in the next week. BSMMU cardiology department Professor Dr. SM Mostafa Zaman said, his health condition was examined after shifting to Singapore. At that time Obaidul Quader’s blood pressure was normal and physical condition was static. Physicians of the hospital hope that he will recover slowly. Meanwhile, referring the Mount Elizabeth doctors, on Tuesday morning Awami League deputy office secretary and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Barrister Biplab Barua said, some problems were detected in Obaidul Quader’s kidneys. Besides, there are some infections in his body. But those are not in critical stage. He needs not to perform kidney dialysis.    Earlier, on Monday night at around 8 pm Bangladesh time, the air ambulance carrying Obaidul Quader landed in Singapore. Then he was taken to Mount Elizabeth Hospital at 8:50 pm. The expert physicians began to perform treatment on Quader soon after he was taken to the hospital. Obaidul Quader was admitted to the 3008 number Intensive Care Unit of the hospital under supervision of cardiology department Senior Consultant and Principal Physician Philip Koh. Obaidul Quader’s wife Isratunnesa Quader and BSMMU  neurology department Professor Dr. Abu Naser Rizvi are staying with the patient in Singapore. Mentionable, three expert physicians of Mount Elizabeth Hospital were staying in Dhaka from Sunday evening with an air ambulance. Renowned Indian expert cardiologist Dr. Devy Prasad Shetty came on Monday noon. Later after discussing with the family members and the Prime Minister and following suggestion from Dr. Shetty Obaidul Quader was shifted to Singapore from BSMMU hospital. AH    

The National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital for the first time in Bangladesh brought the treatment to restore blood flow by dissolving the blood clot causing the stroke without cutting the scull open, reports UNB. Dr Shiraji Shafiqul Islam, an associate professor at the institute and one of the specialists of the hospital’s Neurointervention Team, told that in developed countries, an alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) injection is pushed into patient’s vein in the arm within 4.5 hours from the stroke symptoms begin. But, if the patient comes to the hospital within 4.5 hours then doctors apply a treatment called ‘Mechanical Thrombectomy’ through which they remove clots that block large blood vessels. This procedure is particularly beneficial for people with large clots that cannot completely be dissolved with alteplase injection. In medical term, the process is called stent retriever, and it does not require any kind of surgery, said the neuroscience specialist. Though the Mechanical Thrombectomy treatment has been so far widely used in countries like Singapore, Japan, European countries and even in neighbouring country India, Bangladesh Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital has for the first time started the treatment in Bangladesh as well, said Dr. Shiraji Shafiqul Islam. After identifying the clot through CT scan and angiogram test, a catheter is threaded into the vein to reach the blood clot and the process of dissolving the clot is continued then, the doctor added. In February last, Dr. Shiraji along with his specialist team conducted the first successful Mechanical Thrombectomy procedure at the hospital.  On February 23, when a 55-year-old patient, Harun Ur Rashid, was brought to the hospital, Dr Shiraji along with his team conducted the procedure in their cath lab and removed the clot within half an hour saving the patient’s life, said the doctor. “The patient had multiple clotting on the right side of his brain and the left side of his body was already paralysed. Though we managed to save his life, it would take some time for him to fully recover,” he said. Jafar Iqbal, brother of the patient, said that his brother’s condition started improving two days after the operation and still under doctor’s observation. Mentioning the treatment as a costly one, Dr Shiraji Shafiqul Islam said the cost is about Tk3-4 lakh, but it may decrease in near future if the government comes forward with its support.  If the government takes initiative to modernise the cath labs already exist in all the institutes which deal with heart diseases , then the treatment can be possible in those hospitals as well widening the door of facilities for the general people, said the doctor adding that training country’s neurologists about on updated neurointervention technologies is also equally important. Meanwhile, Dr Md Badrul Alam, Joint Director at the institute, said that the institute has sent its specialists abroad for special training on this procedure in addition to developing with all the necessary software and machines. The alteplase injection, which is still not available in Bangladesh, will soon be introduced in the country as a company has received its licence recently, he added.  According to a research finding, stroke is the third leading cause of death in Bangladesh and the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Bangladesh's mortality rate due to stroke as number 84 in the world. This treatment can be a boon while the risk is getting higher with the changing lifestyle of people and the government needs to come forward so that other hospitals of the country can also start this treatment to save people’s lives as well, said the doctors. FU