In some instances, medical tourists travel abroad seeking alternative treatments that are not approved in the United States.
However, there are specific risks that come with traveling overseas for surgery.
Children with at least one noncitizen parent are also more likely to be uninsured.
Miquel Llonch / Stocksy United
Several insurance providers, including Aetna have programs specifically geared at promoting safe medical tourism.
Some insurance providers even offer financial incentives for medical tourism, like discounts on medical bills.
Some facilities offer hospital rooms that are more like a hotel suite than a traditional hospital room.
Medical tourists who seek that added layer of privacy can find it abroad.
Many can return home from their “vacation” without anyone knowing they had a procedure at all.
Swimming isn’t recommended until your incisions are completely closed.
You may not feel up to doing much more than napping in the days following your procedure, either.
Don’t let your vacation disrupt your recovery.
For example, a patient may be told that their weight is too low to qualify forweight loss surgery.
Talented Surgeons
Surgeons in certain countries are known for their talent in a specific area of surgery.
For example, Brazilian surgeons are often touted for their strong plastic surgery skills.
Thailand is reported to be the primary medical tourism destination for individuals seekinggender reassignment.
It is often easier to qualify for surgery and the cost is significantly reduced.
Surgeons are performing the procedures frequently, and as a result, many have become quite specialized in them.
It is often surprising to many medical tourists that their physician was trained in the United States.
Medical tourism isnt limited to countries outside of the United States, either.
Nonetheless, the downsides of medical tourism can be just as great if not greater.
Sometimes, they can even be deadly.
Performing this research from afar can be challenging, especially if you don’t speak the local language.
Yet countless people take the risk anyway, without knowing whether the physicians who will treat them are reputable.
A physician should be trained in the specific area of medicine that is appropriate for your procedure.
It isnt good enough to be a physician, the physician must betrained in the specialty.
A well-trained nurse can identify a potential problem and fix it before it truly becomes an issue.
A poorly trained nurse may not identify a problem until it is too late.
The quality of the nursing staff will have a direct impact on your care.
Once again, it’s important to research the hospital staff where you will be having your procedure done.
Read the reviews but don’t trust them blindly.
In some countries, there is a marked distinction between public hospitals and private hospitals.
You will also want to seek out facilities that are internationally accredited.
In the United States, the Joint Commission evaluates hospitals and certifies those that provide safe, quality care.
The international division does the same for hospitals outside the United States.
when you obtain a few options for potential facilities, you could start to investigate specifics.
Ask yourself whether the facility is state of the art or whether it seems dirty and outdated.
You will also need to find out if the facility hasICU level careavailable, in case something goes wrong.
Flying Home After Surgery
Any surgery comes with risks, includinginfectionandblood clots.
Flying home increases the risk of blood clots, especially on long-haul flights that are longer than four hours.
You might also benefit from wearingcompression sockswith your doctor’s approval.
Furthermore, you should know the symptoms of blood clots and stay alert.
This is especially a concern when spending time in a foreign hospital.
Picking up an illness abroad, particularly after your surgery, can potentially be life-threatening.
You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the staff speaks your primary language well.
Hiring a translator is another option.
Then there is the final outcome: how well the organ works after the surgery is complete.
Planning Ahead
It is important to arrange your follow-up care prior to leaving your home country.
Just be sure to inform your follow-up care physician where you are having your procedure done.
After you return, they will also want to know what prescription medications you were given, if any.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are popular countries for medical tourism?
How safe is medical tourism?
What countries have free healthcare?
Don’t go abroad if you don’t have enough money to get yourself home in a crisis.)
Making sure a high level of care is readily available will lead to a safer, more relaxing experience.
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