There are several countries today competing to get accreditation from the top governing bodies, to hopefully become one of the best when it comes to providing medical tourism packages. There are 3 nations you have to specially consider, though, since these have been very consistent in giving quality care, as well as the most attractive tourist spots this side of the globe. Here are some more details on what to expect and why they’re the best.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is situated just between Nicaragua and Panama. It is located between the North Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, so you can expect tranquil and breathtaking views and great weather most of the year. Costa Rica is only a 2.5-hour flight from Miami, Florida. Compared to other nations in Central America, Costa Rica has high standards of living, as well as a peaceful democratic rule. Some of the favorite activities by medical tourists are scuba diving, surfing, swimming, parasailing and sunbathing.

Costa Ricans mainly speak Spanish, although a lot of medical institutions in the area require most of their staff to be good at English as well. Some of the main reasons why you have to consider Costa Rica for your medical tour are its top quality health institutions, modern equipment and facilities and a highly ranked health care system. The system is actually better compared to the United States and you only pay a fraction of the cost. A couple of hospitals are accredited by the JCI. Some of the most preferred procedures in the country include dental work, weight loss operations, cosmetic surgery and orthopaedics.

India

India is situated in southern Asia with several countries surrounding its borders like Pakistan, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh. India has gone through a huge growth in terms of technology and medicine in recent years. It has also been very active in providing programs and aims to get more accreditation in its many hospitals to become one of the top medical tourist destinations in the world.

At present, there are 13 hospitals in the country that are accredited by the JCI. Some of the most common procedures that patients look for when visiting include cosmetic surgery, dental work, heart surgery and cancer treatment. The cost of care in India is considerably lower compared to other medical tourist spots. Patients can also communicate better with health care providers since majority of Indians are very good at speaking English. Visitors can enjoy their vacation more because of the India’s rich culture and unique sights, sounds and attractions.

Thailand

Thailand is arguably the most popular medical tourist destination globally. It is located in Southeast Asia, just west of Cambodia and south of Myanmar. Visitors like traveling to Thailand because it is conveniently located near other Asian countries, so you can cross the borders and go to several other nations in just one trip. Top quality medical services are offered with a number of private hospitals earning JCI accreditation.

Some of the most popular procedures done in the country include spinal fusions, orthopaedics, prostate surgery, coronary artery bypass grafts and gastric bypass. There are also medical institutions in Phuket, Thailand that specialize in cosmetic surgery, dental work and eye surgery. A lot of hospitals in the area at present have English-speaking staff.

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The number of people suffering from obesity every year is increasing, it is mainly about the lifestyle and how people eat. To avoid the risks of obesity, more and more people are looking for other options for rapid weight-loss. About 140,000 people annually are finding gastric bypass surgeries an option for weight-loss and reducing obesity and its health complications.

Roux-en Y is the most common gastric bypass. In this procedure, a small and upper section of the stomach is separated by staples or bands to create a small pouch. This would limit the amount of food the patient could consume. It could hold about an ounce of food but can expand to about 4 to 8 ounces of food after a few months. A Y-shaped section of the small intestines is attached to the stomach. This would allow the food to bypass the upper portion of the intestines.

There are many benefits brought by gastric bypass surgery. Individuals who have undergone the procedure are said to reduce their weight with an average of 50 to 60%. Some would lose about 80% of their body weight two years after the sugery. Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels and even cancer risks can be reduced by the procedure. However, there are also downsides with this surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is an effective way of losing weight an obesity related health risks. However, there are studies showing concern about nephrolithiasis or the formation of kidney stones among those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. According to paper presented in the 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition of American Society of Nephrology, gastric bypass surgery increased the possibility of kidney stones.

Actually, this was not the first time that this kind of risk is identified with almost similar operations. In 1979, the Food and Drug administration had the jejunal ileal bypass under moratorium. This was because patients who had the procedure developed kidney stones five years after surgery.

Currently, there are studies showing that those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery would experience changes in the chemical composition of their urine. These changes eventually can lead into formation of kidney stones. After the gastric bypass surgery, the level of oxalate increased. This chemical when bound with calcium can cause the increase of kidney stones.

Another cause could be the production of low levels of citrate. Citrate dissolves crystals which can cause kidney stones. Low citrate levels and high levels, a combination that leads to an increase of calcium oxalate supersaturation. This increases or a strong factor or risk for having kidney stones. Other chemicals which also contribute to kidney stone formation like uric acid and potassium remains unchanged before and after the surgery.

A study conducted by Mayo Clinic showed that those who have underwent the procedure for the last six months have not developed this kind of chemical change. This condition could be avoided or the risk be reduced by undergoing some dietary changes. Doctors would recommend an increase on the intake of fluids, low-protein and low-salt diet, and normal calcium diet.

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Thinning Down: Do You Need A Gastric Bypass For It?

Obesity is an increasing problem in the world today. It can’t be avoided because of our current environment of fast food and sedentary lifestyles. So what can you do about your ever-expanding flab?There’s always the constant call for exercise and dieting however, sometimes even that is not enough. This is when surgery comes in and a gastric bypass can be needed.

First of all, let’s talk about what exactly is a gastric bypass. Have you ever heard of a heart bypass? This is when surgeons stitch up you arteries to avoid the clogged vessels of the circulatory system around your heart. This is also what happens in a gastric bypass, although the operation involves your digestive system rather than your blood vessels. What the surgeons do is make your stomach smaller by making a pouch at the top of the stomach. This neatly halves your stomach capacity. Then, the surgeons would connect your small intestine to this pouch, skipping a part of it. These two changes contribute to increased weight loss by lower food capacity and lesser calorie absorption over all. Weight loss would accelerate over a three to six-month period, until your body manages to adapt to the lower energy intake.

The question that most doctors ask before they have someone undergo all of this is very simple: do you really need it? Most doctors advise patients seeking a gastric bypass to exhaust all other forms of weight-loss options before doing this operation. It may be the safest option but it is still major surgery on a sensitive part of your body. These is still a chance for complications to set in both during and after the operation. Doctors also screen any patient wanting to have a gastric bypass you may not have a gastric bypass if you have not been obese for more than five years, are alcoholic, experiencing a psychiatric disorder and you have to be between 18 to 65 years of age.

If the patient has exhausted all other options and is eligible for a bypass then the doctor outlines exactly what happens after the bypass is done. After the surgery, the patient will stay in observation for the next three days to check for complications. He won’t be eating anything solid for awhile to let the pouch in his stomach heal. After discharge, he will also be under a rigid, progressive diet that would take him from liquid foods to solid foods in twelve weeks. The patient will also be experiencing the effects of lower energy intake: headaches and bodyaches, along with lower energy levels.

He will also have to take vitamin supplements since the part of the small intestine that is being skipped by the bypass is predominantly in charge of getting the appropriate vitamins and minerals from the food not all, of course, but a significant portion of the recommended daily allowance. The long-term effects are also there. A lower stomach capacity means you may vomit or feel abdominal pains if you eat too much or too fast.

It sounds extreme, but still, a lot of gastric bypasses are done each year it’s up to you to decide whether it is worth the risk.

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Gastric surgery is one of the most common weight-loss surgeries, in the United States alone about 140,000 procedures are conducted yearly. There are people who have undergone surgery would report about 60% of improvement in their body weight. There are others, who would report as much as 80% of weight loss.

The effects of the surgery would be most felt after a year, where most patients would report to be at their lowest weight. However, there could still be tendencies that the lost weight may be regained especially if the dietary and exercise recommendations are not followed. After all, reducing your food intake is not the only way to lose weight and maintain it.

Gastric bypass is a procedure done to address issues of severe obesity. There are associated conditions with obesity like diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea and the gastroesophageal reflux disease. There are about 80% of patients with hypertension will be off medication significant time after the surgery. The same goes for 90% of diabetic patients who will not be dependent on insulin.

It could even reduce the patients risk of having heart disease and cancer. Because of the weight loss, gastric bypass surgery could help a person improve mobility and flexibility. Gastric bypass surgery could lessen asthma attacks and reducing dependence to medication or inhaler. Arthritis, fatigue, joint pain and shortness of breath due to physical movements are also reduced by weight loss brought by surgery.

Being extremely overweight could have significant effect on the bladder and other organs of the body. They get too much pressure increasing stress incontinence. It could also cause hormonal problems which could lead to infertility. There are studies showing that after undergoing the bypass, 90% of infertility is restored.

Because of the weight-loss, there are patients who claimed that they increased their confidence and well-being is improved. There are studies showing that those who have undergone surgery would usually experience depression and anxiety. Counselling and support would help the individual to recover and the psychological effects could be lessened or could disappear.

The National Institute of Health, said that patients who have undergone bypass showed dramatic and sustained improvements in how they live their lives. They were able to go beyond the results of weight loss and improve their over-all life. They have higher self- esteem and higher energy levels after the surgery.

For example, gastric bypass surgeries that have been performed to obese teens were able to improve the quality of life within six months, some studies say. Aside from weight loss, their health improves and starts to become appropriate for their age. They were also able to socialize better and deal with peer pressure.

However, it is important to understand that aside from the numerous benefits you can get from gastric bypass surgeries, there are also risks just like any other medical intervention or surgery. Morbidly obese patients have higher risks in surgeries compared with those who are not morbidly obese. It is important to weigh our options before we proceed to any procedure.

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