Medical Tourism

[Vinca]

Has anyone here ever gone to a foreign country for treatment? Good old uninsured me just got some lousy news. I need a hip replacement. I'm going to hang on awhile and see if health care reform actually happens, but if it doesn't I might have to somehow pay for it. A fast browse of the 'net seems to indicate it can be done in India for tens of thousands of dollars less than in this country, but what a frightening thought to have to be so far from home and having surgery. Not to mention how jolly the long plane ride back to the states would be. Has anyone ever done anything like this?

[The empressof all]

1. I'm waiting for the hip replacement too

I also need mega dental work and have considered going out of country for that. I'd prefer not to go to Mexico for that due to the border violence. I've begun to look a little into Panama and Costa Rica...It looks like I'll be able to save thousands even with the cost of travel.

If you do consider India I understand Goa is the place to go. I'd go absolutely bonkers on the flight and wouldn't be able to get around well enough to take advantage of a prolonged stop over in some cool Asian City.

I'm just beginning the research process but I think it's a requirement that you actually know or meet someone who can give you a personal reference for the quality of work.

I'm anticipating my insurance will cover most of my hip here so I haven't looked into that procedure.

[Vinca]

2. I think under the best of circumstances (Congress-like healthcare bennies),

I'd be dreading the thought of hip replacement surgery. I've decided I'd rather not have it during the summer months. Even if I'm in pain, I'd rather be in the garden than convalescing in the house. Maybe it will all work out if healthcare reform passes in September. If not, I'll look into overseas treatment in a serious way. There must be someplace with a beach that does a decent, affordable hip replacement.

[warren pease]

4. I had one in summer 2005 and...

... believe me, the lack of pain post-op and relatively short rehab period (which you can further shorten by your own diligence/fanaticism ;-0 ), is so wonderful after what you've no doubt endured for many months or years that any season will do.

This assumes you're not living in some sweat box, but have decent insulation, some fans and maybe A/C as well. If not, then you're right about delaying it until more temperate times.

In any case, I was driving to the store and getting around with a walker less than a month after surgery, and that's including the first seven days spent in the hospital mending and then learning how to walk all over again.

Either way, good luck. I've been about 98 percent pain free since the surgery. Prior to that, the 1 through 10 pain level assessment chart was a sick joke. Mine was more like 44 on the good days and there weren't many of them.

Take care and best to you during rehab.


sf

[mopinko]

3. my BIL went to mexico to get a gastric bypass

my sister is a nurse, and she had checked the clinic out thoroughly, and was happy enough about the place to go there. to their credit, they found him unstable and canceled it. don't really talk to the family much, so i can't fill you in much more than that.

i did also hear about goa. i think we drove through there on our trip there earlier this year. i was a little fuzzy brained by then. but the folks we were with said that it was one of the best hospitals in the world for joint replacement. (called the goa center for hip and joint replacement, or some combination thereof.)
there is a whole industry in india of taking care of visitors. if you are interested, the department of tourism can likely help you.