BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

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BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by DJKeefy »

Beauty’s Ugly Truth, a BBC News investigation, has exposed serious flaws in Egypt’s cosmetic industry and claims these are endangering lives and leaving women scarred for life.

In 2021, the Egyptian Health Ministry started a campaign in 2021, ‘We Take Care of You’ in a bid to boost medical tourism.

However worrying claims have been made about Egypt’s beauty industry, one of many countries now offering cosmetic procedures at low prices. According to the BBC News report, laws in some healthcare destinations including Egypt are being sidestepped and dangerous liposuction surgeries are proving deadly.

The documentary investigates the case of a law student from Egypt, who died after having had a liposuction operation that she’d found online. Dr Mina Gerges, the cosmetic surgeon chosen for the surgery, denies wrongdoing.

Egypt has not set a legal limit on how much fat can be removed during liposuction. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) advises that no more than half a stone can be safely removed.

Dr Gerges claimed to be a member of both European and American societies of plastic surgeons, according to a video he posted on YouTube. Investigators at the BBC only found proof of his involvement with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate.

Watch on BBC IPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p ... ugly-truth


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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

Regulations either not existing….or not enforced.

Medical treatment from staff with dodgy, or zero, qualifications.

In Egypt??

Who’d have thought it! :roll:
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by crewmeal »

Turkey has the same problems as well.
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Teddyboy »

I sometimes wonder about qualifications!
I well remember needing some qualifications for a job I was undertaking in Egypt (years ago) and wondering how I could obtain them. I knew the job and exactly what it entailed, in fact it was only a few slight modifications to what I'd done in England for most of my working life.
Why should I have worried? Within a few days I was presented with a proper, stamped and signed, manufacturer's certificate telling any reader that I had completed such and such a set of courses and was eminently qualified to carry out any and all of the procedures required!
Hopefully, medical qualifications in Egypt are generally worth more than the paper upon which they are writ! But, in saying that, I was very professionally (and successfully) treated by our local surgeon's helper when I stupidly damaged a large area of skin and soft tissue a few months ago. He is the cleaner, security guard, handyman, receptionist, nurse, theatre nurse and anaesthetist, but I'm almost sure that he wouldn't know a qualification if it slapped him across the face!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

@Teddyboy

I agree that “qualifications”, even if genuine, are no guarantee of quality treatment.

However, I’d be loathe to let a doctor/ surgeon anywhere near me if he/she couldn’t produce some evidence that they’d undergone some form of medical training!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Yildez »

A bit off subject maybe, but I can’t help myself!

Carrie felt really ill for a few days before she died, which was Monday evening/Tuesday morning 28 Feb/1 March. I put pressure on her to go to the doctor on the Sunday because she said she had severe indigestion, and I know that can be a symptom of a several worrying health problems. She saw a doctor on the West Bank on Sunday evening, who dismissed it as ‘just indigestion’ and prescribed Gavascon, or something similar.

I think it’s safe to say the consultation was superficial to say the least. I’m convinced that if she’d had a thorough examination by a competent doctor, her health issues could have been addressed, and maybe she’d still be with us.

At one time I was seriously considering living 6 months in Egypt, 6 months in Turkey. One of the main reasons I decided against it was the lack of good health care in Luxor compared to excellent state healthcare in Turkey, of which I have personal experience, although I can’t comment on cosmetic surgery which is all done in the private sector.
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

@Yildez

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago.

I’d been experiencing stomach pains which were sufficiently worrying to send me to a Hurghada hospital. The doctor examined me and took an xray….then prescribed something similar to gavascon.

The problem persisted. Another doctor took a look, gave me a pain killing injection and some medication…saying it was a stomach bug of some kind.

A week later I returned to UK for a routine scan on a long term liver problem. Whilst awaiting the consultation, at Barts Hospital, I felt very unwell. Two hours later I was in the operating theatre having a double duodenal bypass…my duodenum having ruptured. Had I not been in hospital when it happened, I’d be dead.

The consultant said my duodenum had probably been leaking for some time…hence the stomach pains.

The following 6 months I spent in hospital has put me off trusting Egyptian medics for ever!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Yildez »

newcastle wrote: Fri May 13, 2022 3:50 pm @Yildez

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago.

I’d been experiencing stomach pains which were sufficiently worrying to send me to a Hurghada hospital. The doctor examined me and took an xray….then prescribed something similar to gavascon.

The problem persisted. Another doctor took a look, gave me a pain killing injection and some medication…saying it was a stomach bug of some kind.

A week later I returned to UK for a routine scan on a long term liver problem. Whilst awaiting the consultation, at Barts Hospital, I felt very unwell. Two hours later I was in the operating theatre having a double duodenal bypass…my duodenum having ruptured. Had I not been in hospital when it happened, I’d be dead.

The consultant said my duodenum had probably been leaking for some time…hence the stomach pains.

The following 6 months I spent in hospital has put me off trusting Egyptian medics for ever!
Quite!!!!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Teddyboy »

That's certainly a very frightening tale, newcastle!
Years ago, I had several serious health issues diagnosed and treated by the doctor (Yacoub Geris) in our Luxor building. He was a wonderful doctor and a splendid chap all round. Although a Christian, all of our Muslim neighbours called him a saint!
Sadly, he sent his family to America during the revolution, while he stayed in Luxor and visited them in the States now and then. Eventually, of course, he spent more and more time with his loved ones, and finally moved there for good. He's a great miss, although we have a new doctor now.
There are world famous doctors from (and in) Egypt, but like in every other sphere there, they take a lot of finding and in the meantime untold damage can be done!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

@Teddyboy

World famous Egyptian doctors - like Yacoub and others - invariably made their name and careers abroad where the training, facilities and, of course, the money is on a different level.

I doubt many return to Egypt until they’ve more or less retired
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Chris »

When I was working on the Nile Cruise Boat I was required to ask the Masseuse to produce details of her qualifications. She provided me with a Certificate in WASTE Management!
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

Chris wrote: Sat May 14, 2022 12:16 pm When I was working on the Nile Cruise Boat I was required to ask the Masseuse to produce details of her :lol: qualifications. She provided me with a Certificate in WASTE Management!
There you go!

Perfect qualifications for disposing of your spare tyre :lol:
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Who2 »

Chris wrote: Sat May 14, 2022 12:16 pm When I was working on the Nile Cruise Boat I was required to ask the Masseuse to produce details of her qualifications. She provided me with a Certificate in WASTE Management!
I have a 'waste management problem since our first lockdown.
It's called a beer gut, does your 'waste-management masseuse do home visits ?.... 8)

Ps: I went to a Thai masseuse here last year for neck pain, truly an 'amazing experience.
I never should have told Nick, Nick was in the Navy, Nick knows alot about Thai's..lol.

Pss: He has a brilliant lurid story about Prince Andrew on shore leave, when the Hermes docked
in Bangkok or is that Bangcock ? Nick hated Andrew....he wasn't alone....
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by A-Four »

A couple of my family, well actually quite a few, have had a bit of surgery, one for a nose job, my God it really was needed, that was done in Brighton around £1,000. The other job for a young nephew, who at the age of four, had what is known as bat ears, my God, it made the FA cup look small. Anyhow his job was done at the London, £1,750. I'm sure he was not grateful at the time, though I'm certain he will thank me in the future when I show him the ugly pics when he was a baby.

In the end of it all, you have to know where and what you're doing, did I mention the fact that, as a family most of us in our lot had either bat ears, or big noses,..........get these things done while they are young, otherwise they get conned down Harley Street.

More on the subject of such practises in Egypt as soon as I get time.

Been a beautiful day here on the South Coast, two bottles of day wine gone already. :wi :wi :py .
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by A-Four »

When it comes to having such work done, you have to do a little ground work, most places around the world have a registry of such people who perform such operations, including the likes of Dr Mina Gerges which not only will tell her qualifications, but also her years in practice. In truth, people don't care about such things, they simply want the cheapest price.

Here in the U.K. the main private consultations for such work are carried out at either Harley Street London, or Rodney Street Liverpool, where on ringing the door bell a young women dressed usually in a 1970's nurses outfit greets you, then escorts you to the receptionist, who then introduces you to a 'consultant'. The room usually has charts showing various procedures, such as rhino-plas etc. What is not made clear to the patient is that this is a simple introduction, and the person before them has few if any real qualifications in such work, and is paid on commission, who then makes an appointment for them to a consultant who will pay the most, whether such a consultant is the best for the said patient is another matter.

In many cases along these roads consulting rooms are rented out, and these days often on a daily bases to real consultants to interview a list of such hopeful patients. The question is though, how many really check out these so called Harley Street consultants full qualifications. As I wrote yesterday, when it comes to young children with such things as ugly birth marks on their face etc, many parents can not be bothered to pay, it might mean giving up their monthly Sky package.
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by Who2 »

Reminded me of once taking a young club employee round the corner to In To You
our highly trendy tattooist..for moral support, her having her belly-button pierced and me being nosey...

16062

They wore white coats and left me a coffee and illustrated pictures of various piercings.
After falling about laughing, I nearly threw up over their salon,
'don't mention that prince albert picture....

Mind You, I did spend a few bob once having implats up in Zamalek, Cairo years ago, when I had the money.
That was all very 'harley street and efficient over 8 hrs in the chair, nurses, tv, dr's and a singing surgeon,
I kid you not! 'still got ripped off but that's another story.

Least I have never had teeth problems, thinking ahead again....

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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by A-Four »

As a footnote to what I have written above,.........

I remember one day coming across an American gentleman while doing one of my 'sweeps' up in the hills of the WB. He introduced himself as Professor Blah Blah, he could only have been a little over 30 years old. I told him that he looked a little to young for such a position, and suggested that perhaps he might be an Assistant Professor, he smiled and agreed. In the U.K. his title would be little more than lecturer, however that did not stop him introducing himself as Professor Blah Blah at a lecture in Luxor a few weeks later. He did not notice me at the back of the hall with Stan, as per.
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Re: BBC spotlight on Egypt’s cosmetic surgery market

Post by newcastle »

I told him that he looked a little to young for such a position, and suggested that perhaps he might be an Assistant Professor
How rude! Lucky you didn’t get a punch on the nose.

I don’t suppose he asked after your qualifications. That broom and dustcart are a bit of a giveaway :lol:
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