A woman from Washington had a horrific experience after traveling to Mexico for elective cosmetic surgery. Kimberly McCormick went to a medical facility in Tijuana for a breast lift and to have loose skin removed from her arms, thighs, and stomach. However, she woke up to find that the facility had performed the wrong surgery and had given her breast implants against her wishes. McCormick is sharing her story to warn others about the dangers of medical tourism.
McCormick described the care she received as “horrible” and expressed her distress about being disfigured and needing additional surgery. She had previously undergone weight-loss surgery at the same facility in Mexico around six years ago, which had been successful. However, her recent experience was far from satisfactory.
Upon waking up from the surgery, McCormick realized that her chest was sore and was devastated to discover that she had been given unwanted breast implants. When she raised the issue with a medical coordinator, she was told that she had requested the implants, which she vehemently denied. In addition to the unwanted implants, McCormick also had an unwanted “Brazilian Butt Lift” and the loose skin on her arms and thighs was not removed as she had requested. She also experienced a severe infection and had difficulty breathing.
McCormick’s daughter, Misty Ann McCormick, was present during the ordeal and was physically pushed out of the facility by armed security when she tried to seek answers. Misty Ann expressed her fear for her mother’s safety and recounted how she was forcibly removed from the premises. McCormick and her daughter were also coerced into paying an additional $2,500, beyond the pre-agreed price, under the threat of imprisonment.
To leave the hospital, McCormick was pressured to sign paperwork that suggested she had authorized the unwanted surgery. They were then followed to their hotel and quickly transported across the border to San Diego. McCormick sought treatment for her infection at a local hospital, where she was prescribed antibiotics. She is now back home in King County and receiving treatment from local doctors.
Public health experts advise individuals considering medical tourism to thoroughly research the quality of care, practitioner training, and regulatory structures in the destination country. Aaron Katz, a lecturer at the University of Washington School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of understanding the potential risks and outcomes of medical procedures abroad.
Misty Ann, who is now helping dress her mother’s wounds twice a day, urged others not to pursue medical tourism, emphasizing that the few thousand dollars saved is not worth the potential risks. McCormick is focused on removing the implants and healing from the infection, and she advises people to stay closer to home for medical procedures.
Fox 13 contacted the FBI regarding the situation, and they recommended that affected individuals contact their bank to explore potential recourse. The FBI also encourages people to file a complaint through their website at www.ic3.gov. Misty Ann confirmed that she had reached out to the FBI for assistance.
