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Thailand continues to be a popular destination for surgery discounts

Often the rationale for going abroad for cosmetic procedures and non-elective procedures (referred to as  Medical Tourism) is driven by the fact millions of citizens lack private health insurance and that the cost of services in markets like Thailand are 1/3rd the cost of the US, Europe or Australia. 

Good illustration of this in a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald.  Even complex medical procedures, like open heart surgery, are being conducted in Thailand on foreign patients.  One heart patient was quoted an estimate in the US for $60,000 to $80,000.  The patient opted for the respected Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, spending a total of $12,000 (including travel expense).  Plastic surgery, especially new procedures that have yet made it through US and EU regulators is also commonly sought by foreigners. 

A slice of the action

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Thailand

  Restylane, Restylane Fine Lines, Perlane, Hylaform, Hylaform Plus, Juvederm are considered the new future of cosmetic dermal fillers. Restylane is the most highly purified form of hyaluronic acid gel on the market. Completely natural, biodegradable, non-animal derived, it poses no risk of rejection. It lasts longer than Botox. Six months is standard and a year is not unusual. Restylane Fine Lines addresses those finer lines of the upper lip. Other products are better for deeper facial contours like cheeks and chins.

Click here to see some before and after pictures of Restylane users.

In Bangkok, Thailand you can get this procedure at Bumrungrad Hospital. They give some information on what are the goals of filler materials. 
Fillers are materials that are placed into deeper lines and wrinkles. Filler agents typically are used for those wrinkles that are too deep to be treated with lasers. Most commonly filler agents are used for smile lines wrinkles, between the eyebrows, sagging cheekbones or to enhance the appearance of upper and lower lips. Acne, chicken pox and other depressed scars can also be improved.

Other locations in Bangkok:

Pichet Plastic Surgery Clinic run by Dr. Pichet Rodchareon , a board certified Plastic surgeon.

St. Carlos Integrated Medical Spa

Clinic Soi 1 run by Dr Witoon Wisuthseriwong, a board certified Plastic surgeon who has been practicing cosmetic surgery for over 30 years.

And lets not forget the Cosmetic Laser Surgery Clinic, who has a fun graphic on their web page.

CBS: 60 Minutes "Vacation, Adventure and Surgery?"

60 minutes recently had a show devoted to Americans and medical tourism.They highlight a couple of different patients.

The first was a Louisianna man who needed quadruple by-pass heart surgery with no health insurance.  He could not afford the surgery in the US and decided not to have it and take the risk.  Then he heard about Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand.  He flew overseas, spent 1/8th the amount in the states and had a great experience.
“I found it so strange in Thailand, because they were all registered nurses. Being in a hospital in the United States, we see all kinds of orderlies, all kinds of aides, maybe one RN on duty on the whole floor of the hospital," says Bonnewell. "In Thailand, I bet I had eight RNs just on my section of the floor alone. First-class care."

Another was a woman who wanted a non FDA approved hip procedure.  She chose an Apollo Group hospital in India which is the third largest hospital in the world.
"Private nurse after surgery. And, feeling always that they were just totally attentive. If you rang the bell next to your bed, whoop, somebody was there immediately."

Have you had an experience abroad with surgery either elective or required? Share your comments please.

1,000 Australian's per Month having Surgery in Thailand. A Problem?

According to Australia's National Newspaper, The Sunday Mail , Bangkok's Bumrungrad Hospital treated over five thousand Australian passport-holders for elective or cosmetic surgery in the first five months of this year.

Since the Australian health system requires patients to wait months or even years for a procedure (especially elective one's), many opt to travel abroad. 

Accompanying this trend are the physician warnings.  As mentioned in the article, a doctor stated that:

"I'm flabbergasted that people would play Russian roulette with their health"

With the rise in US patients are increasingly traveling going to Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Brazil to save money and recover in privacy, there are similar stories here where physicians gravely warn about the dangers of going abroad.

I'm wondering if these physicians are simply trying to operate a smear campaign (obviously lost patients = lost revenue). Are these dangers unique to traveling abroad for healthcare, or the same that could happen to you at your local healthcare provider?  Your thoughts are, of course, welcome.

Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic- A Teeth Whitening Customer Reports on their Experience

Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic is a heavy online advertiser of dental services targeted at visitors to Thailand.  Their website lists prices that suggest discounts of up to 90% off  vs. a US- based dentist.  A recent review posted at a travel forum suggests at least one customer is satisfied with their results at Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic.  In summary, the post states:

Got back last week and am trying to find time to write a proper trip report, but did promise to do a posting on my experience at Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic.

It was very easy to find - just opposite the British Embassy and across the road from Central Department Store Chitlom (I took a taxi but I gather there are two Skytrain stations nearby.

I was a bit dubious when I was the clinic from the road - it is not in a very salubrious area, but it was very clean and professional looking inside, and there were quite a few patients (both foreignors and locals) in the waiting room. Whilst waiting for the treatment, I must confess I did think to myself "What am I doing here?"!!

You may recall I was interested in the LaserSmile teeth whitening treatment. I had been quoted B15,000 for this but a special promotion in April/May reduced this to B12,000 - and there was a further B2,000 discount if I brought a copy of Siamese magazine with me.

...Anyway, at the end of the treatment, I was very pleased with the results. They looked very natural and I was indeed a 1B which was great. I was worried that I would end up with that awful "tippex" look that they have on the posters - with people with unnaturally and glaringly whiter than white teeth which look so fake, but mine looked great....

More testimonials appear on the clinic's patient section.

MedRetreat offers Medical Discounts Abroad

MedRetreat blends luxury travel with common medical treatments by providers in India, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand and Argentina (categories within this blog --Live2Travel)....all targeted at the US consumer.

In the words of their managing director:

“MedRetreat offers a variety of worldwide destinations matching the best surgeon and holiday vacation with the medical tourists requirements. And, to ensure the comfort and confidence of travelers, our international partnerships with professional, English speaking aides, provide the unparalleled service and security of a personal attendant for the entire medical retreat.”

Live Sex Change to Promote Surgery in Thailand

In an interesting twist to raise awareness to Thai medical providers (i.e. cosmetic surgery), Reuters reported on Dec 9th that:

Thai surgeons will perform the world's first live sex change operation ....with 35 of the world's leading "sex reassignment" surgeons  looking on

Afterwards, the procedure was declared a success, both in terms of the patient's sex change and promotion of the cosmetic surgery industry:

[Thailand is] Determined to dominate the billion-dollar cosmetic surgery industry that has swept Asia in the past decade, the Buddhist kingdom offers everything from facelifts and eyelid surgery to breast augmentation, tummy tucks and elaborate body shaping.

Certainly raised awareness, but not clear if consumers equate sex change skills with a safe, high quality facelift or tummy tuck. 

Bumrungrad Testimonials

From a UN website

"As a consumer my impression was favourable: the system of booking and processing was efficient; the technology looked first world; everywhere was very clean; and there was access to the doctors..."

From the Lonely Planet bulletin boards:

"Treatment at Bumrungrad is with the VISX-Star S4 laser system - the latest laser available and treatment for both eyes cost 48,000 bhat - about 650 pounds Sterling. I chose it because of its high reputation. Even foreign doctors from countries with renowned health care systems would fly into Bangkok to have their eyes treated here."

"Bumrungrad is one of the 10 best hospitals in the world. A lot of rich oil people from the middle east are treated there. Also all my dental work is done in Bangkok/Pattaya since a couple of years. Much better than Holland (where I live) and a lot cheaper. "

From ThaiVisa website:

"So I take the plunge and sign up to go into Bumrungrad.I have to wait 1 week to get a bed and the necessary surgeon available. I go in on a Friday afternoon. I choose a private room(+private bathroom+TV+kitchen). The surgeon and the original doctor visit me on Thursday afternoon and explain what they will be doing.The surgeon has spent 2 years working in a hospital in Chicago (USA), speaks english very well and seems very competant."

From an Asia Expat site:

"I have friends living in Bangkok with children and they are very happy with the medical care there on all levels. My friend had major surgery and said it was as professional as it gets."

Have any to share? 

Indian firms, Facelift in Mexico, and sex change in Thailand

More firms in India

The Economic Times lists  a few additional Indian firms that are engaged in the Medical  Tourism field, these include:

• Wockhardt
• Escorts
• Fortis
• Hinduja Hospital
• Breach Candy
• Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra (MTCM) - their website was not functional
• Sita Care (JV between Apollo & Kuoni Travel)

Facelift in Guadalajara

 I recently stumbled across exhaustive description of a facelift procedure conducted in Mexico on an American.   Not sure if this is an innocent case of  purple prose:

So, from one broad who went abroad, I say muchas gracias  for the results I had and adios to all of you who followed my story. I hope you all got a good look into going to Mexico for cosmetic surgery

or a shady  advetorial for Airliftinc  (note the authors rave about her experience).  I'll keep digging for info

Sex change in Thailand

According to an article in AsiaOne, the  Preecha Aesthetic Institute (PAI) conducts 80% of its sex change operations are on foreigners (mostly US citizens).  The provider claims to have changed 3,000 men into women. 

Offshore medical providers

Most providers that target their services to foreign patients appear to be based in Singapore, Thailand, and India.  The providers referenced in several news articles are found at:

• Bumrungrad Hospital: http://www.bumrungrad.com
• Bangkok Hospital: http://www.bangkokhospital.com
• Singapore: http://www.singaporemedicine.com
• Apollo Hospitals - over 30 locations
• Raffles Hospital  - Singapore

If you are aware of others, please post.  I plan to summarize the services and fees charged by these providers, then seek opinions and commentary from past patients.