The First Latin America Medical Tourism and Health Tourism Congress

We are excited to announce the Medical Tourism Association, in partnership with Monterrey Healthcare City, are sponsoring the First Latin America Medical Tourism and Health Tourism Congress on April 27^th-29^th 2009.

The 1st Latin America Medical Tourism Congress will feature up to 400 attendees from over 25 countries and will focus on the high quality of healthcare available through Medical Tourism in Latin America. It will also bring together the stakeholders in Latin American medical tourism for the ultimate networking event and educational opportunities.

 

Come to this amazing Congress and network with attendees from over 25 countries to uncover the many possibilities of this exciting medical tourism industry!

 To receive the special Medical Tourism Association and PlacidWay discount please go to: www.mtcregistration.com. Register today and receive 10% off your Conference Registration!

 Promotional Code: MTAPlacidWay

 Please contact Jessica Johnson, jjohnson@medicaltourismcongress.com or by phone: 561-792-6676, if you have any questions or trouble registering!

 See you in Monterrey!

Obesity: A Growing Problem

by PlacidWay

Obesity: A Growing Problem

Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. Not only does obesity cause a multitude of health and medical problems, it’s costing billions of dollars in rising healthcare costs. According to the CDC, costs associated with healthcare caused by obesity have reached alarming rates. In the past twenty years, obesity has risen nearly 30% throughout the country.

What is Overweight?
Health care providers determine whether a person is overweight or obese by taking a look at an individual’s BMI (Body Mass Index). How is this BMI calculated? Basically, the BMI is calculated by age, gender, height and weight. Using a CDC reference chart for example:

Height	Weight Range	BMI	Considered
5’9”	124 pounds or less	Below 18.5	Underweight
	125 to 168	18.5 to 24.9	Healthy weight
	169 to 202	25.0 to 29.9	Overweight
	203 pounds or more	30.0 or higher	Obese

How do you calculate the BMI?

A body mass index table will assess your height and weight to give you a rough idea of what your body mass index reading is. If you want to calculate it yourself, here’s the formula:

 BMI = (weight in pounds x 703) / height in inches squared

So, for example, a person weighs 185 pound and stands 5’9” (69 inches – 4761 inches squared). 185 x 703 = 130055. Divide by 4761 and you get 27.31674. Round off to 27.31. Look at the chart. This person falls in the ‘Overweight’ category.

Now, keep in mind that the BMI is just an average. There are different BMIs for children, teens and adults. The BMI can’t assess genetic or heredity information, environment, or metabolism. It’s used as a guide to help individuals track and maintain healthy weight averages.

How Did We Get Here?
Most obesity in the first decade of the 21st century is blamed on socioeconomic changes in our environment. With a fast food restaurant on every corner that offers, fast, convenient foods and drinks, eating a well balanced and nutritiously prepared meal at home is considered almost boring these days.
Unfortunately, such fast food is loaded with sugar and high-fat content. Coupled with decreasing amounts of exercise, it’s hardly surprising that Americans have created bulging bellies and jiggling read ends. What’s worse, the fat is killing us.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are afflicting younger people than ever before. Obesity holds the dubious recognition of being ranked among one of the highest causes of death-related illnesses and disease processes, including complications stemming from heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Help is Out There
Individuals who find themselves chronically or morbidly obese can get help. Today, numerous surgeries and procedures provide a variety of treatments that may help a person retain healthy weight and physical conditioning. Such procedures include but are not limited to:

• Weight-Loss Medications
• Bariatric Surgery
• Gastroplasty
• Lap Banding
• Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Gastric Bypass

Dealing with Costs
Unfortunately, such procedures in the United States cost tens of thousands of dollars, and many are not covered by traditional medical or health insurance plans. Who has time to wait? That’s why more men and women in the U.S. are opting to travel abroad for bariatric surgeries that don’t require year-long waits or that will leave you in debt for the rest of your life.

The most popular destinations for obesity surgeries include but are not limited to countries such as:

Mexico – Some popular gastric bypass surgery providers in Mexico include Mexicali Obesity Solutions or Almater Hospital in Mexicali, and Alejandro Aguirre Wallace in Ensinada or the Sanoviv Medical Institute on the Baja coast or The Bariatric Group from Texas offering best bariatric surgeries in Mexico.

India – A favorite destination of many, Artemis Hospital and Sahara Medical in Gurgaon offers several treatments and procedures. So does Tour2india4health Consultants in Mumbai.

Latin America – Facilities in Latin America offer popular gastric bypass treatments and procedures in exotic locales, such as Med Logistic Services in Colombia, Angels Abroad in Guatemala and the ever-popular GoSculptura and Dr. Marco More in Argentina

Costs of bariatric surgery abroad in such facilities such as these offer medical travelers savings between 30% to 75% over costs of same surgeries and procedures in the U.S., and without the long wait-times often required in the States.

For example, a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure in the United States will cost roughly $30,000. In India, the cost averages about $16,500. In Mexico and South American destinations, costs may average between $9,800 and $13,000.

So what are you waiting for? Make a life-changing decision and optimize your health. You, and your body, will be glad you did.

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Announces Latin America Conference

The 1st Latin America Medical Tourism Congress will feature up to 400 attendees from over 25 countries and will focus on the high quality of healthcare available through Medical Tourism in Latin America. It will also bring together the stakeholders in Latin American medical tourism for the ultimate networking event and educational opportunities.

Latin America is poised to be one of the top destinations for medical tourism for the United States, Canada, and Europe. Come to this amazing Congress and network with attendees from over 25 countries to uncover the many possibilities of this exciting medical tourism industry.

Conference Highlights Include:

Up To 400 Attendees
US Health Insurance Companies and Insurance Providers Invited
Understanding Marketing Opportunities In The US, Canada, and Europe
Industry Players From Over 25 countries
Highlighting The High Quality Of Care Available In Latin America
The Top US Medical Tourism Facilitators Invited
Click Here to request additional information about Latin America Medical Tourism Congress in Monterrey, MX

Gastric Bypass: Travel to Guatemala or Loose my home? – Angels Abroad

Mrs. Margaret Mckenzie, a nurse from Grass Valley, California, made a trip to Guatemala. She contacted a company named, Angels Abroad, and through them, contacted Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez Toledo, a bariatric surgeon trained in the US. She had an open gastric bypass on September 6th 2008, at Las Americas Hospital in Guatemala city.

What is interesting about this story is that, Mrs. Mckenzie has a health insurance, and they can cover a gastric bypass. The problem is that she didn’t had enough money to pay a co-payment and deductible. Co-payment was US $24,000.

It was cheaper to pay an air ticket to go to Guatemala, plus, ground transportation, cell phone, concierge service, meals, hotel, all medical expenses including 4 nights at a 5-star hospital, nurse service, a tour to a tourist attraction and she paid for her companion expenses. All these was less expensive than using her own health insurance. She saved US $10,000.

Due to her weight loss, Mrs. Mckenzie is going to be able to have a better life.

With tears in her eyes, she told that if she had surgery in the US, she probably had to mortgage, for second time, her house. This is a reality americans are considering, to travel abroad to have invasive surgeries, not just cosmetic. Though it is a hard decision to travel to a called “third world country”, and find physicians trained in the US, using state of the art technology, it is becoming necessary, for americans to survive and not loose all of their money in the process.

Please click here to request additional information from Angels Abroad.

Health Tourism Portal Optimizes Offerings for Consumers and Providers

by Laura Ettinger | PlacidWay

PlacidWay, a health & wellness tourism web portal, recently debuted an enhancement to the site that further solidifies its position as a leading authority in the industry. The centuries-old practice of health tourism has recently experienced explosive growth. This has provided an opportunity for a one-stop, interactive, full service site to exist that answers the needs of both health tourists and healthcare facilities. “We are environmental scanners of the industry, and work hard to monitor trends and gather information that can be trusted,” said Pramod Goel, president of PlacidWay. “All you need to make an informed and intelligent decision about health tourism is on the site.”

“Attention to the needs of both sides of the health tourism coin—consumers and healthcare providers—has been a differentiator for PlacidWay from its inception,” says Goel. “With our enhanced site, we can deliver the most comprehensive, unique, customizable and convenient healthcare solutions for our clients.” It is a goal of PlacidWay to be a knowledge repository and to be on the forefront of the trends of the health tourism industry, with resources that other sites don’t have.

PlacidWay’s expanded site makes it even easier for a potential health tourist to define whether they are searching for a medical procedure/treatment or a wellness program. They can then further refine their search by choosing a destination and facility. While on the website, they can also access hotel and airfare rates, as well as specific informative articles about their chosen procedure, facility or specialist. “All of this can be accomplished with a sense of security for the consumer,” says Goel. “They can rest assured that all their physical needs and comforts will be met by our providers, and feel confident from the perspective of knowing that they have the most current, reliable and accurate information on hand.”

PlacidWay is a leading authority in the field of health tourism through its vision, commitment to service and determination to be the most complete resource possible. PlacidWay offers world class healthcare providers in exotic destinations, a formidable knowledge and information base, quick response turnaround and a one-stop interactive approach to booking a health tourism experience. For more information on PlacidWay, go to www.placidway.com.

Upcoming Trends in Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has enjoyed a long and illustrious history not only in the United States but also around the world. Recently, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons released results surrounding the rising numbers of individuals choosing cosmetic surgical procedures since the year 2000. Everything from breast lifts to Botox to tummy tucks, cosmetic surgical procedures are growing in popularity around the world. Medical tourists are able to enjoy a wide selection of minimally invasive, surgical, and reconstructive cosmetic surgical procedures in the future as trends continue to attract the attention of baby boomers, all socioeconomic demographics and genders both domestically and abroad.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgical Procedures
While techniques and methods used in a variety of cosmetic procedures are continually advancing, 2008 saw a large increase in injectable and noninvasive treatments such as Botox, as well as breast augmentation procedures. Studies have shown that over 10 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the year 2005 alone, a nearly 40% increase since the turn of the new century. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the global market now exceeds $30 billion, with a sustainable compound annual growth rate in the range of 25%.

According to recent statistics, the top trends in cosmetic surgery include:

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Dermabrasion
• Tummy tuck
• Botox treatments
• Laser skin resurfacing

Who Is Having Plastic Surgery?
The trend seems to be showing a desire to minimalize and reduce the effects of aging, and this desire does not seem to be limited to baby boomers. Individuals as young as 25 and 30 years old are engaging in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox and laser skin resurfacing as well as dermabrasion.

Read complete story at PlacidWay.com

Health & Wellness Tourism: The Next Great Healthcare Frontier

Have you ever traveled faraway to an exotic land? Have you marveled at their geography, their culture or way of life? Countries such as Thailand, India, South Africa, Poland, and even Costa Rica & Croatia have hidden treasures of which you may not be aware – treasures that once discovered can change your life and your health forever. This is why Health & Wellness Tourism (or Medical Tourism) is becoming one of the fastest growing industries of the decade. The dual experiences of addressing the needs of your body, mind and soul in locations that offer the lure of foreign and mysterious locales is irresistible. Add lower costs for procedures, cutting edge technology and physicians of the highest caliber, and a healthy, new you is just a plane ticket away.

Some may believe that going outside of the United States for surgeries is risky business, but did you know that many of the most technologically advanced medical centers are located outside of the United States? The growing trend of attracting international patients around the world has evened the playing field, so to speak, and patients around the world have more choices when it comes to choosing surgeons and physicians to treat them and their conditions. Especially in the medical field, borders are dissolving.

People are traveling out of country and even to places within their own country to seek both modern and alternative health services. Places like Singapore, Thailand and India (famous for all surgeries such as orthopedics, heart, cosmetic), Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica and South Africa (cosmetic and dental) use modern technologies and procedures while offering world class treatment for less money. This is because in places such as the United States, doctors have to pay such outrageous rent, medical insurance and licensing fees that they have to hike up their prices just to make ends meet. In other countries the cost for these items is much less and therefore doctors can charge less for their procedures.

For example, a heart surgery requiring the replacement of one or more heart valves costs around $200,000 in the United States. The same procedure is performed for under $15,000 in India or Malaysia–that cost includes the services of a highly skilled and trained heart specialist, transportation and accommodation fees and a few extra days to enjoy the sites of your planned vacation as well. Other procedures follow suit. Facelifts can cost $20,000 in the U.S. but are available in other global destinations for around $2,500. Dental bridges cost around $5,500 in the U.S. but only around $200 in India. The list goes on.

Read complete story on Medical Tourism at PlacidWay.com

Patients with passports | BRIAN NEWSOME | THE GAZETTE

Pramod Goel likens his dotcom to online travel sites Priceline, Travelocity or Expedia. But go to make your travel plans, and the differences between PlacidWay.com and the others soon become apparent. Rather than choosing a departure date and destination, you’ll be asked to:

– Choose a treatment

– Choose a region or country

– Choose a health care option

Depending on your preferences, you will be pointed to places as far away as India and Thailand for procedures that include open-heart surgery and total hip replacement.

The Castle Rock businessman’s startup is just the latest stage in the evolution of medical tourism, a booming industry in which sightseeing and surgery collide – or, as his Web site characterizes it, “Exotic journeys to wellness.”

For years, Americans have been traveling out of the country to get less costly treatment, most notably to Central and South America for elective procedures such as cosmetic surgery. These days, changes in health care – rising costs at home and higher-quality care abroad – have made medical tourism increasingly mainstream. Not only are more people going, but they are going for medically necessary procedures. Some employers are even offering insurance benefits to employees who seek treatment in other countries.

In 2006, about 150,000 Americans traveled overseas for health care, nearly half of them for medically necessary surgeries, according to the American Medical Association. Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, said as many as a million people worldwide will travel out of their home country for medical care by 2010. A May 2008 study by McKinsey & Company, a corporate research firm, came up with a much smaller number – about 60,000 to 85,000 inpatient medical travelers a year internationally – but still acknowledged the likelihood of growth.

Responding to the trend, the AMA on June 16 approved new guidelines regarding medical tourism: “Until there is significant action at home, patients with limited resources may turn elsewhere for care,” said AMA Board Member Dr. J. James Rohack, in a news release. “It is important that U.S. patients have access to credible information and resources so that the care they receive abroad is safe and effective.”

Read complete story at PlacidWay.com