Latest news with #JessicaMcGirr
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Calls for urgent regulation of weight loss surgery tourism after 28 Britons die from medical complications in Turkey
Medical tourism for weight loss is rising in popularity, with around 5,000 Britons a year travelling overseas for cut-price surgery. But experts have warned the industry is putting patients' lives at risk and is in urgent need of regulation. Botched surgery can lead to infections 'leakage, sepsis, and even death,' a report by the BMJ highlights. At least 28 British people had died between 2019 and March 2024, due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey figures provided by the Foreign Office revealed. Weight loss surgery, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a treatment for people who are severely obese. It makes the stomach smaller, so it feels fuller sooner and less food is eaten. Despite the rise in popularity of weight loss jabs, the medical tourism industry for weight loss surgery continues to grow. Medical tourism industry is worth more than $400 billion (£300 billion) annually, with anticipated year on year growth of 25 per cent. Patient's seeking weight loss surgery are often lured abroad by cut price deals and before and after weight loss images posted on social media. The out-of-pocket cost for this type of surgery done privately in the UK is around £10, 000 to £15,000, but costs approximately £2,500 to £4,500 in countries, such as Turkey. Dr Jessica McGirr of the Obesity Research and Care Group RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland and Imperial College London highlight that although cheaper often these packages do not cover care after the operation or long-term nutritional or psychological support that you would be offered in the UK. An inquest into 40-year-old Hayley Butler, a dog groomer from Norwich who died of organ failure after a sleeve gastrectomy at the Ozel Gozde Hospital in Izmir, revealed the surgery 'had not been done properly'. A doctor Tanveer Adil, who works at Luton & Dunstable Hospital, explained she died as a result of the procedure and the "lack of safety netting" afterwards. He added that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. On the NHS it can take two or more years from referral for a patient to receive the surgery, plus there are specific requirements to meet. To be considered for surgery on the NHS, patients need to have a BMI of 40 or more, meaning they are obese. Patients will also need to have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet, exercise and medicine. Around 4 million people in the UK meet the criteria for surgery, but the NHS only deals with about 5,000 cases each year. The BMJ report highlights most patients (71 per cent) self-refer for surgery abroad, meaning the surgery may not appropriate for them. 'When considering adverse outcomes, including anastomotic [surgical tissue join in the gut] leakage, sepsis, and even death, equally concerning is the absence of regulation to ensure that only accredited procedures are performed by appropriately qualified providers,' study authors said. 'Further concern arises in the context of medical tourism 'packages' in which patients are offered multiple procedures within the same trip,' which are often accompanied by financial incentives, they added. A survey of weight loss surgery providers overseas found nearly a third of respondents believed the consent process was 'inappropriate', while 14 per cent believed that patients were personally responsible for surgical complications. 'The need to regulate the bariatric and metabolic tourism industry to mitigate these safety, ethical, and legal risks for patients is essential,' authors argued. In many cases the NHS is left to pick up the pieces of returning medical tourists after botched surgery. The current situation 'highlights the need for transnational collaboration among all sectors to implement regulation,' the authors explained, suggesting that bodies, such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation, and the European Union, among others, should be involved in a global forum designated with this task. The BMJ report concluded: 'This unregulated industry presents opportunity for quicker access to effective treatment for individuals with obesity but carries potential safety, ethical, and legal risks. 'The economy and healthcare resources of both home and destination countries may benefit financially from bariatric and metabolic tourism, but the potential for unintended negative consequences and widening health inequity are significant. 'Establishing regulation through transnational collaboration is essential to protect health and health equity.'
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Weight loss surgery tourism needs urgent regulation, say UK experts
A booming trade in medical tourism for weight loss surgery is placing patients at risk and needs urgent regulation, experts have warned. Despite the growing popularity of injections such as Mounjaro to treat obesity, the number of patients travelling to other countries for surgery is increasing, the latest analysis suggests. And, with the wider medical tourism industry set to be worth about £300bn annually, with anticipated year-on-year growth of 25%, international regulation is urgently needed, according to a commentary in the journal BMJ Global Health. 'We are seeing this ongoing increase, linked to the globalisation of healthcare and long wait lists,' said Dr Jessica McGirr of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin and Imperial College London, adding that many are being marketed bariatric surgery through 'before and after' images on TikTok and Instagram. 'Incorrectly, surgery is often marketed from an aesthetic point of view,' McGirr said. 'This is complex surgery for treatment of a chronic disease with potentially significant health complications.' Lengthy NHS waiting lists, typically two years or more from referral, the unaffordable cost of private surgery in the UK and the increasing number of people living with obesity have led to more patients seeking bariatric surgery abroad. The out-of-pocket cost for bariatric surgery done privately in the UK is about £10,000-£15,000, but £2,500-£4,500 in countries such as Turkey, the commentary estimates. However, medical tourism packages rarely cover continued care in the case of complications or long-term nutritional or psychological support. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'If you just look at the statistics, there are nearly 4 million people in the UK who meet the Nice criteria for surgery, but we only do around 5,000 cases each year,' said Ahmed Ahmed, a consultant bariatric surgeon at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust and the president of the British Obesity & Metabolic Specialist Society. 'I certainly don't blame the patients. They recognise they have a disease.' 'I don't even blame the surgeons abroad,' Ahmed added. 'They see a gap in the market and they're exploiting it. They're able to supply surgery at a much cheaper price. What I don't like is when we see patients with problems from poorly conducted surgery. That upsets me a lot.' The BMJ commentary calls for the urgent creation of international quality standards for weight loss surgery, including an accreditation process that patients can use to choose high-quality providers abroad. This, McGirr suggested, could be funded by providers. 'There will be resistance to regulating the industry,' she said. 'Undoubtedly, not all centres would seek accreditation or regulation.' Procedures include gastric sleeve surgery, in which the size of the stomach is decreased by more than 70%, and gastric band surgery, which narrows the intestine. Both aim to restrict eating by making a person feel full, leading to a reduction in appetite. Botched surgery can lead to infections, surgical leaks, internal hernias and, in the worst cases, be fatal. Foreign Office figures from March 2024 revealed that at least 28 British people had died since 2019 due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey, many of which are thought to have been bariatric surgery. Last month, a doctor told the inquest of a 40-year-old British woman who died following weight loss surgery in Turkey in 2024 that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. However, Ahmed said he had observed a decrease in patients attending A&E with acute complications in the last two years, which he puts down to people choosing to privately fund obesity drug treatments rather than surgery.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish woman left with permanently red nose from sunburn: 'People think I'm sick'
A woman with a mystery condition that causes her nose to go red – with strangers constantly asking if she's sick – says doctors have no idea why it happens. Jessica McGirr first spotted the colour change five years ago when she was sunburnt during a holiday in Tenerife. But while the rest of her skin recovered, her nose did not. She says the bizarre situation is destroying her self-confidence and has seriously impacted her life with the 24-year-old never leaving the house without makeup and often suffering unwanted comments. 'The redness has ruined my self-confidence and I now wear makeup every day to hide it,' Jessica, originally from Ireland but who currently lives in New York, told NeedToKnow. 'I wouldn't go out in public with my red nose as I get many comments from strangers asking me what's wrong with my nose or asking if I am sick. 'Strangers are very open to questioning me about my nose and pointing it out, but I don't think if it was a birthmark I would get as many comments about it. No diagnosis has been made which is very frustrating because I wish I knew why this happened and if there could be a cure.' Jessica was on a boat trip on the Spanish island when she nodded off under the blazing sun without any sunscreen on. She spent around four hours exposed to strong UV rays and when she woke up, she had a bright red nose. The 30-year-old said the initial burn took about a week to go down. But two weeks later, her nose was still red and sore. It later became rough, inflamed and even started bleeding and scabbing. Now more than five years later, Jessica's nose is still red. She said: 'The initial blistering took about a week to go away but after two weeks, when my nose was still red, I got concerned. 'The skin on my nose was very textured and would often bleed and scab. For the first three years after the burn, my nose was very inflamed. It is more calm at the moment. It's still very red but the texture is smoother.' Jessica has seen three different doctors about her nose. She said: 'I was prescribed a few different creams at first, then I was prescribed medication for acne but neither of those worked. 'I was recommended to go to a skin clinic and get laser, so I got four sessions of intense pulsed light therapy but saw no results. I've had visual skin evaluations and blood tests but no doctor ever gave me a diagnosis. They denied it being rosacea due to it only being on my nose and it staying consistently red.' Jessica claims she hasn't been treated seriously and some doctors have simply told her to avoid spicy foods. She said: 'I feel very let down by the healthcare system at home as no doctor ever seemed to care or wanted to refer me to a specialist. I don't do any treatments or use any creams at the moment and I've never noticed an improvement with treatment. I now wear factor 50 sunscreen every day.' Jessica refuses to go outside without makeup and uses heavy concealer to cover the redness. She added: 'I would love to seek further help. 'However, to me, it feels like I am throwing money away as you have to pay so much for skin consultations just for them to not be able to help you. 'If I knew a treatment would work, I would love to try it.'
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
My nose is permanently red after sunburn 5 years ago – strangers make comments but even doctors are baffled
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JESSICA McGirr's nose has been left permanently red after getting sunburnt while on holiday in Tenerife over five years ago. "The redness has ruined my self-confidence and I now wear makeup every day to hide it,' the 24-year-old, who currently lives in New York, US, said. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Jessica's nose is permanently red which no doctor can diagnose Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr 6 The mark appeared after getting burnt while on holiday in Spain Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr 6 The 24-year-old feels let down by the health system Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr "I get many comments from strangers asking me what's wrong with my nose or asking if I am sick," she added. The young woman from Ireland was on a boat trip on the Spanish island when she nodded off under the blazing sun without any sunscreen on. She spent around four hours exposed to strong UV rays and when she woke up burnt all over and with a bright red nose. The initial marks took about a week to go down. But two weeks later, her nose was still red and sore. 'The skin on my nose was very textured and would often bleed and scab," the advert operator said. 'For the first three years after the burn, my nose was very inflamed, "It is more calm at the moment," she said. "It's still very red but the texture is smoother.' Sunburn can cause lasting damage to the skin, including premature aging, the development of precancerous lesions, and a significantly increased risk of skin cancer. These harmful effects may not appear immediately and can take years, or even decades, to manifest. Jessica has seen three different doctors about her nose but no one has been able to help her. HSE issue skin cancer warning as Ireland set to bask in high temperatures this weekend 'No diagnosis has been made which is very frustrating because I wish I knew why this happened and if there could be a cure," she said. At first, she was prescribed some creams and treatments for acne. 'Very let down' When they didn't work, she was recommended to go to a skin clinic and get laser, which is sometimes used to help even out skin pigmentation. She said: "I got four sessions of intense pulsed light therapy but saw no results. 'I've had visual skin evaluations and blood tests but no doctor ever gave me a diagnosis. 'They denied it being rosacea due to it only being on my nose and it staying consistently red.' Jessica claims she hasn't been treated seriously and some doctors have simply told her to avoid spicy foods. She said: 'I feel very let down by the healthcare system at home as no doctor ever seemed to care or wanted to refer me to a specialist. 6 The Irish lass will never leave the house without makeup on Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr 6 Strangers think her red nose makes her look ill Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr 6 Jessica is desperate for answers Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr 'I now wear factor 50 sunscreen every day.' She would like to seek further help, but she's concerned it could end up being a waste of money. 'If I knew a treatment would work, I would love to try it," she added.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My nose is permanently red after sunburn 5 years ago – strangers make comments but even doctors are baffled
JESSICA McGirr's nose has been left permanently red after getting sunburnt while on holiday in Tenerife over five years ago. "The redness has ruined my self-confidence and I now wear makeup every day to hide it,' the 24-year-old, who currently lives in New York, US, said. 6 6 6 "I get many comments from strangers asking me what's wrong with my nose or asking if I am sick," she added. The young woman from Ireland was on a boat trip on the Spanish island when she nodded off under the blazing sun without any sunscreen on. She spent around four hours exposed to strong UV rays and when she woke up burnt all over and with a bright red nose. The initial marks took about a week to go down. But two weeks later, her nose was still red and sore. 'The skin on my nose was very textured and would often bleed and scab," the advert operator said. 'For the first three years after the burn, my nose was very inflamed, "It is more calm at the moment," she said. "It's still very red but the texture is smoother.' Sunburn can cause lasting damage to the skin, including premature aging, the development of precancerous lesions, and a significantly increased risk of skin cancer. These harmful effects may not appear immediately and can take years, or even decades, to manifest. Jessica has seen three different doctors about her nose but no one has been able to help her. HSE issue skin cancer warning as Ireland set to bask in high temperatures this weekend 'No diagnosis has been made which is very frustrating because I wish I knew why this happened and if there could be a cure," she said. At first, she was prescribed some creams and treatments for acne. 'Very let down' When they didn't work, she was recommended to go to a skin clinic and get laser, which is sometimes used to help even out skin pigmentation. She said: "I got four sessions of intense pulsed light therapy but saw no results. 'I've had visual skin evaluations and blood tests but no doctor ever gave me a diagnosis. 'They denied it being rosacea due to it only being on my nose and it staying consistently red.' Jessica claims she hasn't been treated seriously and some doctors have simply told her to avoid spicy foods. She said: 'I feel very let down by the healthcare system at home as no doctor ever seemed to care or wanted to refer me to a specialist. 6 6 6 'I now wear factor 50 sunscreen every day.' She would like to seek further help, but she's concerned it could end up being a waste of money. 'If I knew a treatment would work, I would love to try it," she added. How to apply sun cream Dr Karishma Hemmady, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Clinics, says: "I recommend reapplying every two hours as a minimum, as we tend to apply it much more sparingly than is done during lab testing – so a SPF 30 will offer you only SPF 15 in most cases." But make sure to reapply as sun cream protection fades over the day. Dr Hermmady says: "Exposure to water will also alter the protection, even if your product is water resistant, so if you're swimming, perspiring and towel drying, or any other vigorous or abrasive activity, make sure you re-apply. "Up to 85 per cent of a product can be removed by towel drying." Being unprotected will also increase the likelihood of suffering with sunburn which could also lead to heatstroke. This is particularly dangerous and potentially fatal in young children, the elderly and people with health conditions. Dr Hemmady says: "Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of the body causing dehydration. "In order to achieve the sun protection factor on the label, a fingertip-sized squirt should cover an area of skin the size of a hand. "So, a couple of squirts should be sufficient to adequately protect the face and about one tablespoon worth needs to be applied to each body part. "This is often a lot more than people think, so it is worth measuring this for a few applications to get a feel for how much is needed. "Applying less will reduce the protection to a higher degree than is proportionate – for example, only applying half the required amount can actually reduce the protection by as much as two thirds."
