When it comes to medical procedures, we often trust the advice of professionals to guide us towards making the best decisions for our health. However, even the most common treatments can come with risks that may take time to be apparent. Dr Erin Nance, an orthopedic specialist from New York, has taken to social media to share her personal experiences and professional insights on three medical procedures she strongly advises against due to the potential for horrific side effects.

First on Dr Nance's list is Lasik's eye surgery. This procedure involves using a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision, which is popular among those who wish to ditch their glasses or contact lenses. While many patients enjoy the benefits of improved eyesight, Dr Nance's experience could have been better. She suffered from excruciating eye pain for months post-surgery, a side effect that can occur when the corneal flap is created, potentially damaging nerves responsible for tear production. This can lead to chronic dry eyes, a condition that affects up to 95 per cent of Lasik patients immediately after surgery and can persist for months or even years.

The second procedure Dr Nance warns against is using eyelash-enhancing drugs, such as Latisse, which contains the active ingredient bimatoprost. While these drugs can promote the growth of longer, thicker lashes, they can also have unintended consequences. Dr Nance experienced periorbital fat atrophy, where the fat pads under the eyes diminish, leading to a sunken appearance. This distressing side effect, along with others like itchy and dry eyes, darkening of the eyelid skin, and abnormal hair growth, has led to a growing interest in alternative products with safer ingredients.

Dr Erin Nance warned against Lasik surgery, eyelash drugs, and early retainer removal due to severe side effects. Credit: bojanstory / iStock

Lastly, Dr Nance cautions against the premature removal of permanent retainers. These orthodontic devices are crucial for maintaining the alignment of teeth after braces or Invisalign treatment. Dr Nance, who had her retainers removed in her early twenties, regrets the decision as her teeth eventually shifted back to their original positions. This serves as a reminder that orthodontic treatments require a long-term commitment and that removing retainers too soon can undo years of corrective work.

Dr Nance's candid revelations have sparked a conversation about better patient education and informed consent. Her TikTok video has garnered thousands of comments, with many viewers sharing their own experiences of medical procedures gone wrong. From painful IUD insertions to bunion surgeries that result in chronic foot pain, it's clear that there's a need for greater awareness of the potential risks associated with even the most routine medical interventions.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of any medical procedure with your healthcare provider. Always seek a second opinion if you have doubts, and remember that it's your right to be fully informed about the potential outcomes of any treatment. Your health and well-being are paramount, and making informed decisions is key to maintaining it.

Key Takeaways

• A top surgeon, Dr Erin Nance, has revealed three common medical procedures she advises against due to the risk of horrific side effects: Lasik eye surgery, eyelash-enhancing drugs, and removing permanent retainers prematurely.
• Lasik eye surgery can cause dry eyes and severe discomfort due to the cutting of nerves responsible for tear production. Dr Nance personally experienced daily eye pain following the procedure.
• The use of the eyelash-enhancing drug Latisse led to periorbital fat atrophy for Dr Nance, resulting in a more sunken appearance of her eyes, which is why she would not recommend it to others despite its initial impressive results.
• Dr Nance also warns against the premature removal of permanent retainers, as this led to her teeth shifting back to their original position, which she now regrets and notices every time she sees herself on TikTok.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with medical procedures in the comments below. Have you ever undergone a treatment that you later regretted? How do you ensure that you're making the best healthcare decisions for yourself? Let's continue the conversation and support each other in our journeys to stay informed and healthy.

 

[Carl S]

An orthopaedic surgeon with a compound history of poor personal medical choices, is not someone I'd be promoting as an advice giver outside of her specialty.

 

[Dynamo]

All sounds scary. It's best of course to avoid non essential surgery.

 

[Scaveola]

The use of Latisse, which is a drug used for glaucoma to reduce eye pressure, is better avoided unless needed for medical reasons. it also contributes to sore and dry eyes. I have to use it for glaucoma, but it has caused very dark circles all around my eyes, and below them and this is a common side effect. Eyelashes are slightly longer, but not noticeably so. I have to use concealer under my eyes and eye shadow if I'm going out.. There is some work going on to see if the drug applied to the scalp can help baldness, but results are inconclusive.

 

[Kevin. A.]

Every procedure comes with some risks.