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

Go Safari or Taj Mahal with Global Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
The trend for international medical procedures, treatments and surgeries abroad are expanding among the American and British healthcare markets. Medical tourism has provided an avenue for Canadians, Britons, and Americans fed up with the high costs of healthcare services to travel cross-border and exotic destinations to reduce medical costs and wait times.

According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 47 million Americans had no medical insurance as of 2005. Statistics in Britain and Canada are alarming as well.  Global healthcare has become a very viable option and alternative to address those seeking orthopedic treatments and surgeries.

Why Go?
Orthopedic surgeries are a specialty that deals specifically with the correction and repair of injuries to bones and their associated muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The rising cost of surgical procedures, especially those involving orthopedics, prevents many from receiving necessary and often life-changing treatments and surgeries. 

More than 500,000 Americans traveled outside of the country in 2007.  The National Coalition on Health Care determined that orthopedic surgical procedures comprised the bulk of those numbers.

Norway, South Africa, Thailand, India, and Panama are becoming popular tourist destinations for those wishing to undergo various orthopedic surgeries, including but not limited to:
• Partial knee replacement
• Total knee replacement
• Total hip replacement
• Hip resurfacing
• Shoulder joint replacement
• Anterior cruciate ligament repair

Wait times for orthopedic surgeries in the United States and Britain can last months. Overseas and abroad, wait times are decreased because there is less “red tape” between health care professionals and medical insurance providers to deal with.

Dollars and Sense
World-class medical services, state-of-the-art facilities, and certified and accredited physicians and surgeons are available in many countries around the world to address the specific needs of not only those wishing to undergo surgical procedures, but wanting to combine such services with recuperation and recovery in an exotic location.  Websites such as PlacidWay.com provide extensive resources to help one choose procedure and location of orthopedic treatments.

Hip replacement surgical procedures in the United States can cost up to $43,000. Cost for the same procedures in Thailand or Singapore run roughly $12,000, and $9,000 in India. In South Africa, the cost is approximately $10,700.

Knee replacement surgeries in the United States run up to $40,000 apiece! The same procedure in India will cost $8,500, and roughly $10,000 in Thailand, and $13,000 in Singapore. In South Africa, the same procedure will cost roughly $12,600.

Cautions and Security
When combining medical procedures with exotic travel and vacation destinations, it is suggested that consumers deal with reputable companies specializing in such business. As always, consumers are responsible for doing their homework, researching options, and checking on source reliability.

Medical tourism is here to stay, and as with anything else, there are pros and cons in this field. One thing that medical travelers should be advised is that any orthopedic surgical procedure requires ample recuperation, sanitation, and rehabilitative therapies. When searching for a facility to meet specific needs, consumers should find out and understand both pre-and post-op requirements and expectations.

Whether you want to safari in Africa or explore the jungles of Thailand or experience breath taking beauty of Taj Mahal, medical tourists must allow ample time for recovery when venturing to such exotic locations. Ask plenty of questions, and make sure that answers are obtained before making arrangements to travel.

Well-known universities and hospitals in the United States, Britain and Canada abroad often train orthopedic surgeons. Training in the latest techniques and methods of orthopedic surgical procedures have thrust many International surgeons to the top of their fields.

Are They Qualified?
When seeking the professional services of any physician or facility, consumers need to be aware. Physicians should, of course, have a medical license as well as board-certified credentials in their area of expertise. Board certifications ensure that physicians and surgeons have met qualification requirements to practice in their field.

Belonging to a professional membership, organization, or association is not enough to assure that an individual or facility is licensed or credentialed. They do however, standardize quality and hold to certain requirements that must be met by members.  Physicians and surgeons are certified by boards of specialists in the area they want to practice in.

Consumers are responsible for researching and understanding the different titles and certifications as well as requirements in countries abroad to ensure that they meet standards for quality care and expertise. Referring to professional organizations or to the Placidway.com references will help guide consumers to locate the best-qualified professionals in the field.

 

Click here to learn more about Orthopedic Surgeries Abroad.

Going Global For Cosmetic Surgery

There are many advantages to going global for cosmetic surgery. Exotic locations in Thailand, Argentina, and Brazil beckon to thousands hoping not only to save money on cosmetic surgical procedures, but also to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities to visit foreign destinations. 

Cost comparisons between surgical procedures performed in the United States and the United Kingdom with those that can be found in Brazil, Africa, Argentina and Thailand are proving increasingly attractive to young and old alike when it comes to choosing cosmetic surgery.

Why Travel for Your Cosmetic Surgery?
Whether you’re looking to reshape your nose or take care of that face-lift without anyone knowing what you’re up to, traveling for cosmetic surgery is on the rise. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, trends for traveling for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures are on the rise. The top five cosmetic procedures performed in the United States and around the world today are:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Nose reshaping
• Eyelid surgery
• Tummy tucks

 

Over $12 billion have been spent on cosmetic procedures from the year 2000 to 2007 in the United States alone, a nearly 60% increase in a mere six years. From facelifts to breast lifts to Botox injections and reconstructive procedures, the cosmetic surgery industry is booming, with price tags to match.

The majority of cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States are not covered by health or medical insurance. Unless cosmetic plastic surgery or procedures are necessary due to injury and trauma, they are considered elective procedures and must be paid through individual out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost Considerations
Breast augmentation in the United States can run $8,000 as compared to the under $4,000 charged in India, and the $3,000 charged in Costa Rica.

Liposuction in the United States can cost $13,500, as compared to the $2,700 charged in Bolivia, or $4,800 charged in India.

A facelift can cost $15,000 in the United States. Facelift procedures performed in Costa Rica can cost just under $3,000, and about $4,500 in India.

Countries like South Africa, Thailand, and Hong Kong, as well as India are increasing their global advertising campaigns in comparative surgical prices as medical tourism brings more visitors from the United States and the United Kingdom than ever before.

Do’s and Don’ts Of Surgery Abroad
However, there are many things that global travelers need to know about medical tourism. Is it safe? Can medical facilities in exotic locations in Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil offer safe and comparable skill levels in cosmetic surgical procedures and training? The answer is yes.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests that any global travelers seeking cosmetic surgical procedures abroad ensure that the expertise and certification of the physicians they are considering. Several online services are available as resources, including The ASPS Member Surgeon Abroad Program and websites like Placidway.com reference sections, which profile multiple physicians and facilities worldwide.

Individuals should also realize that medical qualification standards may differ from those in the United States, but growing numbers of doctors practicing outside of the United States and Britain are Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
Appealing prices and exotic locales combine the best of vacation destinations with affordable financing for a wide range of cosmetic surgical procedures. In all cases, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons urges patients to research the cosmetic procedure they intend to undergo, but the location as well as qualifications of physicians and staff to meet the needs during consultations, procedures, and recuperation periods following surgery.  Placidway.com is one of those sites where patients can research on finest cosmetic surgeons around the world.

The following questions may (and should) be asked of any plastic or cosmetic surgeon:

• Are you an ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) member?
• Has the American Board of Plastic Surgery or another International board or association certified you?
• Do you have hospital privileges?
• How many procedures of this type have you performed?
• Is the surgical facility accredited?

While cost is a major selling point in the growing field of cosmetic surgery tourism, and patients are able to combine the cost of surgical packages with vacation packages for less than the cost of the surgical procedure in the United States, patients must take a common sense approach when seeking the services of any position, whether at home or abroad.

Passports for Global Health Care

Cross-Border Medical Tourism
Cross-border medical tourism has become increasingly popular within the United States in the past few years.  The trend for regional travel for elective surgeries and procedures has shown a definite increase in not only the Americas, but in Western Europe, Australia and throughout Asia. As a matter of fact, over 500,000 Americans travel out of the country every year, not only to Mexico and South America, but also to various destinations in order to procure affordable, quality health care for critical care and medical procedures as well.

What It Is?
Cross-border medical tourism is a term that defines crossing another country’s borders to obtain medical treatment. In various regions throughout the world, growing numbers of natives are not only packing their bags for a vacation, but also to undergo medical procedures at the same time. The fact that such medical services in other countries can cost 10 to 90% less than it does in the United States is a mitigating factor for this influx of medical tourists.

Medical practitioners and associations within the United States are perfectly aware of this growing trend. Indeed, many health carriers and insurance companies are now offering out of country procedure coverage.

Everything from cosmetic surgery to dental needs, to hip replacement surgeries are available in countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Malaysia, Hungary and Thailand. Many of the facilities found in those countries are regulated and accredited by medical Association accrediting boards in the United States.

Why It’s Happening?
The rising cost of health care, insurance, and demand has forced many natives to seek help across borders. As such, more and more Americans are traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Costa Rica for cosmetic and dental procedures. Natives from Australia and New Zealand travel to Singapore and Thailand to save on orthopedic and dental procedures as well. Even Western Europeans from England, France and Germany are traveling to Hungary and Poland for premium vision and dental care procedures, as well as the most common elective surgical procedures like cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Why this growing trend in cross-border medical travel? Most often, it’s finances.

The attraction of saving money is what propels most medical travelers to cross borders or travel across the ocean when seeking treatments. For example:
• One quarter of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for medical care if savings of $1,000 to $2,500 can be realized.  Medical tourist tends to travel regionally to seek such savings.
• Nearly 40% of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for care if those savings amounted to $10,000 or more.  Medical Tourist will travel beyond regional boundaries for best healthcare options and prices.

Wouldn’t you?

International Medical Facilities and Standards
State-of-the-art facilities, high standards in training and expertise, as well as Board certification from United States providers sets many at ease.  Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism surgical procedures include Mexico, Thailand, Singapore and India.

Medical technology as well as quality and standards of care in most countries around the world are on a level with those expected and demanded within the United States. The International Division of the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals and facilities within the United States, also accredits facilities internationally. Many physicians who practice in European and Asian hospitals and medical centers have been trained and board-certified within the United States.

Comparison Shopping
The cost of procedures around the world drastically differs.  For example, bypass surgery in the United States can cost up to $35,000. The same procedure provided in India costs $6,000.

Transplant procedures in the United States and Britain can cost up to $200,000.

Types of Procedures Available
Mexico is a popular destination for cosmetic surgeries and dental care as well as lower pharmaceuticals costs. Uninsured Americans, as well as those who are willing to pay in cash find it hard to turn away from deals with our southern neighbor. Many United States-based hospital corporations own medical hospitals not only in Mexico City, but along the United States border, as well in South American destinations such as Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina.

Cosmetic surgery as well as plastic surgery is a reason why many Americans travel regionally to Argentina, Brazil, and Columbia. As a matter of fact, Argentina and Brazil are known for advanced treatments in these areas.

One of the most popular procedures that draws Americans to other countries, especially India and Thailand, are orthopedic procedures such as partial hip and knee replacement surgical treatments. Hospitals in Asian countries generally charge half the price of the same surgical procedures in the United States and many countries in Europe.

Cardiac surgeries such as heart valve replacement and bypass procedures cost Americans well over $200,000. It is not difficult to wonder why a cardiac patient would be interested in traveling to India or Singapore, where the same procedure costs about $10,000.

Critical Impact
The growing trend in global healthcare is certain to bring about changes within the American healthcare system, but Americans are not holding their breath in the hope for a rapid change. It will take years to revamp the medical coverage and health insurance system in the United States, as well as tackling current malpractice insurance necessities.

However, as long as the cost of medical care in the United States continues to rise, more people will be traveling internationally to receive quality health care.

For additional information, please visit www.placidway.com

AIDS/HIV Cosmetic Surgery (Facial Lipoatrophy) – Health Tourism Panama

Nip and Tuck Panama, Panama based Medical Tourism provider, announced today a new procedure being offered to Medical Tourists through Doctor Guido Spadafora Clinic in Panama. 

Medical Tourism now has Facial lipoatrophy for severe cosmetic problem for some HIV-infected patients and may be a sign of HIV lipodystrophy syndrome, which commonly occurs in HIV-infected patients who are treated with a combination of antiretroviral medications, especially protease inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. In these patients, fat redistributes away from the face and limbs, towards the central trunk, breasts, and dorsocervical fat pad. Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and osteoporosis may also be associated with the syndrome. 

Dr. Spadafora told Nip and Tuck Panama that Facial lipoatrophy is characterized by sunken cheeks, bitemporal wasting, and deep nasolabial folds. Patients develop a hollow appearing face. This facial appearance is easily recognizable and can serve as a social stigma for HIV patients causing psychological stress. Many patients with HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy are eager to correct their appearance. In Bioplasty, polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) is used for facial and body implants for the following reasons:

• Biocompatibility
• Does not migrate or move from the application site
• No allergic reaction
• No need for sensitivity tests
• Sculpted at the time of application
• Permanent
• Relatively low cost
• Ambulatory treatment
• Only very small amounts of local anesthetic are required
• The amount of product applied depends on the degree of correction desired
• It can be applied to various layers of the skin and deeper tissues (subcutaneous, juxta-periostium, mucous and intramuscular)
• Low incidence of complications
• Application with non-traumatizing cannulae instead of needles 

Panama Medical Tourism Industry is one of the few countries that offer Bioplasty which is an offshoot of traditional filling techniques, but it goes beyond filling. While in filling the biomaterial is lodged inside or just under the skin, in Bioplasty the application is done at much deeper levels, allowing the creation of shapes and angles.  

Nipandtuckpanama.com are informed that the traditional surgical technique removes excesses but does not add beauty. Bioplasty renews and enhances beauty. The technique can create harmonious lines for those who do not have them, enhance beauty, recover the contours of an aging face or add to the results of previous cosmetic surgery. Through bioplasty we can transform a person who is not beautiful into a beautiful person, and make a beautiful person even more beautiful. Bioplasty has already been used almost secretly by famous models, artists, and people who depend on good looks all over the world. Many international stars are anonymously having treatment where the procedure exists.

Bioplasty is getting more popular. Not only for famous but also ordinary people long for its benefits and a revolution in medical aesthetics begins to take place. Arrangements for the entire Bioplasty procedure including accommodation and transfer can be made through South Seas Pharmaceuticals. 

Please click here to request additional information.

Private Nursing Assistants – Medical Tourism Panama

Nipandtuckpanama Nursing is a service offered with our Medical Tourism Company based in Panama which consists of private nursing assistants who perform health care services for private patients and home nursing. Nursing assistants are readily available for Medical Tourists relating to health care of patients who require home or private nursing. All services are performed by private nursing assistants to ensure that the individual is adequately cared for while in our care in the Republic of Panama. 

We pay more attention to our Medical Tourism clients as we only assign one patient per Assistants at a time and therefore the patient is receiving the optimum treatment from a private Nursing Assistant.  Our Nursing assistants are extremely caring towards the Medical Tourist as they become individually involved with each client.  Nipandtuckpanama private nursing Assistants are mostly made available to terminally ill patients, clients undergoing Cosmetic Surgery or are simply Medical Tourist seeking that extra special care and attention.  

Nipandtuckpanama.com your Medical Tourism specialists provide a wide range of innovative and cost effective services available to meet each unique set of needs and circumstances.Nipandtuckpanama.com offers a wide range of support services to our clients in Panama and Chiriquí for the Medical Tourist visiting the Republic of Panama. 

The primary objectives of our Nursing Assistant service are:

• To assist recovery safely and maintain personal dignity by restoring patients to normal family living and useful functional activity.
• To achieve and sustain a state of health, activity and independence for those we serve.
• To furnish personal care services at a competitive cost to patients.

Our Services

Nipandtuckpanama.com your medical tourism expert provides efficient Hotel, Resort or private home health care services. Personnel are assigned according to each patient’s needs. Nipandtuckpanama provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

An initial assessment of the Medical Tourists’ immediate needs and ensures that the acute needs of the client are met.  This process evaluates the short or long term needs of the client and plans time frames in which to meet those needs.   Assessing the client and/or family member’s wishes is an integral part of the assessment process.   All information derived from the comprehensive assessment enables the staff to plan care that will allow the client to reach his/her highest level of functioning. 

Nipandtuckpanama are aware that while launching Medical Tourism it is also important to provide an inexpensive Nursing assistant service for those that require constant attention or visiting Panama for a Medical procedure whether it be Cosmetic Surgery, Dental Procedures or Liposuction we have the services of a private nurse assistant.  

Please click here to learn more about Nipandtuckpanama Nursing.

Smart Global Healthcare Choices

Superlative and affordable medical care is drawing more and more people from around the world to seek medical treatments abroad.  Why not, when medical bills, transportation and lodging cost less than the deductibles and fees for surgical and hospitalization care in your own country.

As we all know, the cost of medical procedures is rising at a dramatic rate within the United States.  Medical malpractice insurance for physicians and surgeons has driven medical costs for consumers through the roof.  So, it’s not surprising that Americans are fighting back, and in an unusual way.  A growing trend called medical tourism finds more Americans seeking medical help outside of the country.  Now, if you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you have at least heard of the concept, though Europeans and Asians have been practicing medical tourism for decades.

Traveling to another country to have a wide variety of procedures done has grown increasingly popular as costs for procedures continue to cause financial hardship and strain on Americans.  If you haven’t really seriously considered traveling to another country to have your procedure done, you should.  Traveling outside of national borders saves patients thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on various surgeries and medical procedures.  In some cases, choosing to have surgery abroad costs about a tenth of what you’d pay for the same procedure in the U.S.

However, the low cost of these procedures in other countries is not due to a lack of expertise or training, nor facility equipment, but because of the different ways these countries or private practices run their health services departments.  International private healthcare systems have price transparencies that are not overburdened by malpractice insurance and pressures from third party payers such as health insurance companies.

People 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.

In addition to lower costs, the concept of medical tourism also offers patients a wider selection of techniques and experiences than many local health care services do.  Surgical and medical facilities outside of the United States, including those in Asia, e.g., India, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, and North American cross border countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Latin America; and Eastern Block/European countries such as Hungary, Norway, Poland, are increasingly luring medical tourists with the best trained physicians, higher service standards and yes, the opportunity to save money.

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 $2500.  Dental bridges costs around $5500 in the US but cost only around $200 in India.  The list goes on.

Orthopedic surgery is a procedure that is gaining popularity among baby boomers for treatment abroad.  Hip or elbow replacement surgery is common for those who have suffered from arthritis or other forms of bone and joint damage.  Hip or elbow joint replacement involves removing damaged bone tissue and replacing it with a ball-type joint made of a special metal alloy.  Hip resurfacing is not a replacement of the hip joint, but a type of surgery that allows most of the original hip joint to be saved.  In this procedure, performed not only in the United States but around the world, the surface of the head of the femur, the part of the upper thighbone that fits into the hip socket, is covered with a plastic shell – type covering.  Hip resurfacing is usually suggested for active patients less than 55 years of age. 

World-class medical facilities offer not only skilled surgeons for this type of procedure, but also physical therapists to aid in recovery as well as superior patient support capabilities until patient discharge.  Everyone demands excellent standards in healthcare, and global medical facilities are also being held to high American and western standards.  If you or a loved one is considering medical tourism, take the time to research the subject.

Medical tourism is the wave of the future, and may compel changes within American medical practices.  Until then, take advantage of the best the world has to offer in the way of skills, treatments, procedures and healthcare.  Make the most of the growing number of healthcare methods in the 21st century and take back control of your own healthcare.

PlacidWay is the health information portal that offers medical vacation planners all the information they need to make informed choices and decisions.  Finding information on affordable health centers from around the world, alternative treatments, and wellness programs has never been easier.

Making the right choices relies on knowledge, and PlacidWay offers that and so much more.  Visit PlacidWay.com at www.placidway.com for additional information on the topic of medical tourism or health vacation planning.

Do you see what I see?

LASIK is the safest and most accurate method to correct short-sight (Myopia), long-sight (Hyperopia), astigmatism (Cylindrical powers) and other corneal scarring disorders.  Essentially, the basis for all laser eye surgery is to reshape the cornea to the point that it changes the focal point of the eye.  During this procedure, the focal point is changed so that it focuses perfectly on the retina. 

LASIK procedures have been around since 1988.  The procedure has already gained wide acceptance worldwide with over 5 million people in USA and millions more worldwide have undergone LASIK surgery.

Contact lenses are often the chosen alternative to LASIK eye surgery, with many arguing they are safer and cheaper to use.  However, contact lenses require special care and maintenance, or they can seriously damage the eye.  As well, while contact lenses are cheaper in the short-term, they cost more in the long-term and contribute to the garbage waste of societies the world over.  Using contact lenses for five years will equal the cost of a LASIK treatment, which lasts for much longer. 

In terms of shelling out recurring costs like contact lenses or glasses, the possibility of a one-stop-fix-all solution like LASIK means that those who get the surgery will not have to buy another contact lens or eyeglasses ever again.  For many, the cost of the LASIK surgery is worth the price of never having to put in, nor take out, contact lenses again.

 

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