Cosmetic surgery is one of the biggest branches of medical tourism. Thousands of individuals flock to various countries all over the world each year to get treatments such as liposuction, face lifts, eye surgery, wart removal and many more. Cosmetic surgery in Asia is especially cheaper compared to the States. You also get to have world class accommodations and get to see new sights for a totally enjoyable vacation.

The Growth of Cosmetic Surgery

In the past decade, the number of people going for cosmetic surgery has significantly grown. With the start of medical tourism, even more individuals are going under the knife because of cheaper costs and the availability of modern equipment and technology to perform the different operations. In the past, only first world countries were capable of doing operations because of state-of-the-art tools and well-experienced surgeons.

Some countries like Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines are now widely known for their modern equipment and facilities. The doctors are also well-trained and already have a wide expertise on various cosmetic procedures. A number of medical institutions in these places now boast of having accreditation from the JCI. You can also get advantages in terms of airfare cost, transportation and hotel bookings.

Tips for Tourists

Tourists are advised to pick cosmetic clinics in country located near your place of origin. However, the availability and convenience of modern air travel has allowed people from the west to easily go halfway around the world and return in less than 10 days. American patients may travel south to Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica, while others will go as far as the Asia Pacific or the Mediterranean to get treatment. Some of the other popular places for cosmetic surgery include Turkey, Malta, India, China and New Zealand.

Patients should plan and prepare for their travel carefully. The waiting list is significantly shorter in Asia, so you can expect to have the procedure a day or two after you arrive. You can also gain advantage of medical tourism packages wherein you get transportation to and from your hotel, meal bookings and tours around the city before and after your operation. You can talk to your travel agent to prepare a top quality hotel for your stay.

Staying Safe

Medical tourists are advised to stay a few days more after the cosmetic procedure to avoid any complications and ensure that they are truly recovered and stable before traveling back to the States. You should research a bit about the different laws and consumer protection regulations in the country you are visiting. Determine whether or not your current insurance policy will cover your case even if you are getting treatment overseas.

Go online and learn more about your cosmetic surgery. Talk to other patients who have undergone the same procedure and ask them about the different pros and cons of traveling abroad. You can minimize the risks and complications by staying prepared for these particular factors. You should also talk to your local doctor and the surgeon who will do your operation for maximum benefits.

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More and more medical tourists are going to different destinations each year to receive top quality treatment and world class accommodations. As a medical tourist, you get several advantages such as lower expenses, friendly accommodations and getting to see new sights and scenarios. You have to learn some tips first before you go abroad to stay safe and avoid any further complications. Here is some more information before you travel.

Doing Research

All experts highly recommend patients to do a lot of research first before they travel abroad. They can become victims to scams and unscrupulous individuals. Some may become victims of medical malpractice and other errors because the medical institution failed to comply with the given standards or does not have sufficient accreditation.

First, study and review the procedure you are going through. Are you healthy physically and mentally to undergo treatment? Know the different effects, results, risks and possible complications that can arise. You should also consider the health risks and other potential complications that may arise from traveling far distances or staying cramped inside the plane after surgery or treatment. Determine how much time you will need off from work, how long the treatment will take, if you need follow-up care and how long before you can return to your home country. Also check if you will need other types of treatment afterwards like physical therapy, etc.

Hospital and Surgeon Background

Since more and more hospitals are getting into medical tourism, you should now check for accreditation to ensure that the standards and medical practices sufficiently meet the requirements set by the biggest agencies. Check for accreditation by the JCI, Trent, ISO, JCAHO, etc. You can also compare hospitals and pick the ones that have received numerous awards and achievements.

Identify the success rate, which means how many successful operations and treatments have been done. The figures may be displayed in percentage. Check the available equipment and facilities and how often the institution upgrades these. You should also determine which particular procedures the hospital is known to be good at. Check if majority of the staff understands English or are English-speaking.

Talk to the surgeon who will be doing the surgery. Ask the necessary questions, such as your diet and exercise regimen days before the operation, medical and health hazards, possible risks and complications, medication regimen afterwards and the duration of hospitalization. You should ensure that the doctor is well-experienced in the type of surgery to be done. Ask for some referrals and talk to previous patients to get the full details.

Preparing the Documents

Some foreign countries will not require you to get a visa, but will require you to stay only for a limited period, such as 60 to 90 days. You should consider the distance and talk to your local physician to update him about the developments. Prepare your passport and visa, credit cards, traveler’s check, identification cards, driver’s license, etc. You should include IDs with your photo and full information on it, just in case you get lost or accidents occur.

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There are now around 50 countries recognized as medical tourism destinations. If you’re eyeing on vacationing in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, you have to learn more about the country and culture. It is very important that you also research more about the technologies available and the recent updates that each nation and institution has that applies to your specific condition. Here are some guidelines on the hot places and what to look for.

The Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel are among the hottest countries to visit when going for medical tourism in the Middle East. Israel is quickly becoming a medical tourist hot spot, with over 15,000 visitors entering the country in 2006. In-vitro fertilization is one of the most popular procedures that foreigners go for in Israel. They also wish to view the Dead Sea, plus other historical and biblical landmarks.

Jordan is quickly growing as a medical tourism hotspot. In 2007 alone, over 200,000 visitors went and brought in more than $1 billion in revenue. Most of the foreigners come from Iraq, Sudan and Palestine. Compared to prices of health care in the United States, expect to save as much 75% on treatment. The World Bank rated Jordan 5th worldwide as a medical tourism hotspot.

The UAE or United Arab Emirates has also upgraded a lot of their equipment, facilities and practices to become competitive in the global market. More hospitals are aiming to get accreditation from the biggest agencies to attract more foreigners.

Asia and the Pacific

China is a favorite among medical tourists because of its unique approach to treatment. Chinese hospitals and institutions are widely known for fusing modern medical practices and technology with traditional Chinese medicine and therapeutic techniques. Stem cell treatment is one of the most common procedures that visitors go to China for. China is also very rich in culture, so you get the most out of your vacation by choosing this country.

Hong Kong is another popular medical tourist hub. All 12 private hospitals are accredited by Trent and ensure that patients only get the highest quality and standard of care available. Dual international accreditation is also acquired by the hospitals, with the second being from JCI. Hong Kong hospitals boast of having the latest technologies and equipment to ensure patient safety and well-being.

More Asian Destinations

Taiwan aims to become a big medical tourism center in the years to come. The government has been very active in providing funds and campaigns to help boost and advertise the different programs offered by hospitals and medical institutions. Some of the reasons that visitors go to Taiwan include the low cost of procedures and the many shopping places available. Some of the popular procedures that foreigners usually go for include bone marrow transplant, liver transplant, plastic surgery and joint replacement surgery.

Westerners prefer going to Asia because of its rich culture and cheap costs. You get the advantage of getting great packages and the best in accommodations and transportation. People in Asia are also known to be very warm and hospitable, making the places very ideal for both medical treatment and vacationing.

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The internet is a very rich source of information if you want to look for the best medical tourism packages. A lot of medical groups and institutions have created their official web site to provide you with all the details you need to travel. You can get all the data, such as the price, what to expect from the procedure and the available surgeons and physicians. You can also make early reservations online for quick perks and promos. Here’s how.

Checking Web Sites

Different medical institutions now have web sites on the internet where you can view the different offers and medical tourism packages. You will most like see sections, such as the background of the company, the mission and goals of the hospital, the available staff and doctors, patient testimonials, the procedures done, FAQs and how to contact them. When viewing the background, check how long the company has been existent and determine their mode of staying updated with the recent technological advances. You should also find out if they are affiliated with other well-known organizations or have accreditation with the JCI or Trent.

Read the FAQs or Frequently Asked Questions section, as well as the testimonials by previous patients to determine if the objectives of the company coincide with your own interests. You should read more about the specific procedure you are about to take and which doctor will be assigned to your case. Consult your own local physician about the medical institution you are eyeing on and ask for honest feedback.

Reading Packages

You should find out more about the package you plan to get. Determine the kind of accommodations available, how you will be transported from the airport to your hotel and finally, to the hospital, duration of the stay, if you are allowed a medical or travel companion and which areas you will most likely visit. Find out more about the country you are going to visit as well by visiting various web sites and online discussion boards.

Learn more about the country by talking to other past patients and travelers online. Learn about the pros and cons of getting medical treatment from one place and compare the prices with others available. You should also consider the distance of the other country from your origin. Ask about the possible risks and complications of having to travel very far after your type of treatment or surgery.

Joining Forums

An online forum or discussion board will greatly help you determine which medical tourism package will best suit your case. There are special boards online where you can talk to patients all over the globe. You can also contact doctors online and ask them about the available technologies that should be available in a given country or hospital. You can ask for recommendations on the best physicians and surgeons, as well as the best accredited hospitals that can guarantee the safety and success of your operation.

An online discussion board will keep you updated about the latest changes in any given country or medical institution when it comes to medical tourism. You can take advantage of big promos and other perks depending on the season, by talking to frequent flyers. You can also make the necessary preparations by communicating with experts and other experienced medical travelers.

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