by Denise

PlacidWay, an international medical tourism portal based in Denver, Colorado, is a growing leader in the health and wellness industry offering online information, data and resources regarding international medical providers, physicians, surgeons and facilities around the globe, from South Africa to Costa Rica and from South Korea to Thailand or from Croatia and Turkey to Switzerland.

 

PlacidWay encourages medical patients, no matter where they’re from or where they’re going, to always take the time to ask questions of a medical provider, whether they’re seeking treatment for a common flu or obtaining cosmetic surgery or a cardiac transplant.

 

Patients tend to hesitate when it comes time to ask a doctor or surgeon or facility about their training and experience, as well as outcomes to surgeries, but doing so is important. We ask about our children’s teachers, their day care providers and we grill the auto mechanic, but for some reason, we’re hesitant to ask questions of our doctors.

 

When seeking medical services or physicians medical consumers should ask important questions from the a patient’s point of view. Such as:

 

·         How will the medical practice, facility or service best meet my need?

·         Why will I benefit from your specific service or facility?

·         Does your service provide viable, effective and successful treatments?

·         Does the physician, surgeon or facility provide adequate feedback or proof?

·         Is the doctor/facility certified or accredited by national or international accrediting organizations?

·         Does the doctor/facility offer affordable medical care and solutions to patients?

 

Those are just the basics - don’t hesitate to ask any question that comes to mind before choosing any medical provider, at home or abroad. After all, it’s your body and your health.

 

Tags: accreditation, affordable medical care, cardiac, cardiac transplant, cosmetic surgery, costa rica, croatia, flu, health and wellness, health and wellness industry, international accrediting organizations, international medical, international medical providers, international medical tourism, medical care, medical consumers, medical patients, medical practice, medical provider, medical providers, medical services, Medical Tourism, medical tourism industry, patients, physicians, PlacidWay, south africa, South Korea, Switzerland, thailand, treatment, turkey
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »

by Denise

It’s time once again for end-of-year promises and New Year’s resolutions - which means self improvement and image repair. Consumers seeking cosmetic or plastic surgery to help restore breasts through breast augmentation or breast lifts, or those hoping to lose weight through liposuction, body sculpting or obesity and weight loss surgery such as bariatric surgical procedures, lap bands, gastric bypass or other techniques will be looking for cheap options to meet their goals.

However, remember that cheap isn’t always the bottom line when it comes to cosmetic surgery procedures. Yes, medical travelers can save thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery in foreign destinations, not because standards or quality is lower, but because of different health care systems, lower malpractice and liability premiums and methods of practice in locations like Argentina, Turkey and Thailand, just to name a few.

Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon is of vital importance. The surgeon you choose should be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or a Society of Plastic Surgeons in the country of origin. Surgeries should be performed in an accredited facility by certified surgeons experienced in their specialty. Physicians and surgeons should be willing to inform potential clients of their training, experience and education, and offer proof of such, no matter the foreign destination that is chosen. When it comes to cosmetic surgery, follow the same practice you would in your home country: ask for qualifications, experience and success rates. Don’t be shy. After all, it’s your body.

 

Tags: accredited, accredited facility, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Argentina, bariatric, bariatric surgical procedures, body sculpting, Breast augmentation, breast lifts, certified, certified surgeons, choosing a plastic surgeon, cosmetic, cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon abroad, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, cosmetic surgery in foreign destinations, cosmetic surgery procedures, foreign destinations, gastric bypass, health care, health care systems, lap bands, Liposuction, lose weight, malpractice, medical travelers, obesity, obesity and weight loss, obesity and weight loss surgery, plastic surgeons, plastic surgery, plastic surgery abroad, plastic surgery procedures, qualified plastic surgeon, restore breasts, self improvement, Society of Plastic Surgeons, thailand, turkey, weight loss, weight loss surgery
Posted in Argentina Medical Tourism, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Gastric Bypass Surgery Latin America, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Turkey, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism, weight loss programs | No Comments »

by Denise

While techniques and methods used in a variety of cosmetic procedures are continually advancing, 2008 has saw a large increase in an 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 statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the following procedures experienced a drastic change in the number of procedures performed between the years 2000 and 2007. The top trends in cosmetic surgery include:

 

·         Breast augmentation

·         Breast lift

·         Dermabrasion

·         Tummy tuck

·         Botox treatments

·         Laser skin resurfacing

 

But such treatment are expensive and not covered by medical insurance in the U.S., except in special cases and circumstances. But there’s good news out there when it comes to affordable cosmetic or plastic surgery.

 

Breast augmentation may cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 in the US, but roughly $3,500 to $3,900 in Thailand. Those opting for the procedure in India will pay about 75% less there than in the US.

 

A breast lift costs between $4,000 and $7,000 in the US, though in India, the same procedure costs about $2,700 and those traveling to Argentina may expect to pay 40-80% less than costs incurred in the US.

 

Tummy tucks range from between $5,500 to $7,500 in the US, 50% less in Argentina, and about $3,700 in India.

 

So what are you waiting for? For up-to-date and informative research, visit PlacidWay, a quickly growing and very popular medical resource for the where’s, the how’s and the why’s of crossing borders for cosmetic surgery.

Tags: affordable cosmetic or plastic surgery, affordable plastic surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Argentina, botox, Botox treatments, Breast augmentation, breast augmentation procedures, breast lift, cosmetic, Cosmetic plastic surgery, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgical procedures, dermabrasion, India, laser skin resurfacing, medical resource, Medical Tourism, medical tourism portal, noninvasive treatments, PlacidWay, thailand, tummy tuck
Posted in Anti Aging Abroad, Argentina Medical Tourism, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism, cosmetic surgery in Mexico | 1 Comment »

by Denise

Laparoscopic surgical procedures are the cutting edge of medical technology in the 21st century.  Less invasive surgical techniques and procedures utilizing laparoscopic surgery enable patients to heal faster, reduce the risk of infection, and cause less tissue damage and resulting complications. Laparoscopic surgery is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS).  The technique enables surgeons to view, access and remove sections or entire organs through very small incisions.

For example, laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that has been perfected in the past two decades that enables surgeons to surgically repair or remove organs in the body through small incisions that result in fewer complications, surrounding tissue damage and faster healing times.  A gallbladder removal procedure is called a cholecystectomy. Other popular laparoscopic procedures include:

• Appendectomy (removal of the appendix)
• Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
• Bariatric gastric bypass surgeries
• Cancer treatment
• Fibroids

Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgical procedures may enjoy savings of tens of thousands of dollars in hospital care costs due to shortened hospital stay time. In the United States for example, the cost of laparoscopic gallbladder removal averages about $3,000 to $8,000 but lab costs and anesthesiology and hospital stay may leave patients with a bill of  approximately $25,000 to $50,000 depending on geographical location.

Medical tourists traveling to destinations such as Makewell Meditour in India or Laparoscopic Solutions in Coahuila, Mexico, as well as facilities in Thailand and  Turkey may save up to 50-70% on the costs of laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery and hospital stays in the United States. In various locations in Mexico and Costa Rica, international travelers may purchase packages for laparoscopic surgery that average between $4,500 to $6,000, including hospital stay, transportation and lab work.

 

 

 

Tags: appendectomy, bariatric gastric bypass, bariatric gastric bypass surgery, cancer treatment, cholecystectomy, Coahuila, gallbladder removal, gastric bypass, hospital care, hospital stay, India, keyhole surgery, laparoscopic gallbladder removal, laparoscopic procedures, Laparoscopic Solutions, laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery abroad, laparoscopic surgical procedures, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, LAVH, Makewell Meditour, medical technology, medical tourisms, Mexico, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive technique, MIS, packages for laparoscopic surgery, removal surgery, surgical procedures, surgical techniques, thailand, turkey, vibroids
Posted in Costa Rica Medical Tourism, Gastric Bypass Surgery Latin America, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Mexico Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism | 1 Comment »

by Denise

Thailand has long promoted its medical facilities as low-cost options with high quality training, expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and medical services for international travelers and it’s easy to see why. World-class facilities in Thailand offer some of the best options in a multitude of medical fields for travelers seeking affordable healthcare.

Thailand’s long-term goal has and continues to be to secure for itself the reputation of being a top-rated international medical destination with world-class facilities equipped with state-of-the-art and high-tech diagnostic and surgical equipment.

Surgical procedures in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgery is still a third to one half the cost of similar procedures in the United States and those found in Europe. The number of medical tourists venturing to Thailand for quality care at affordable prices reaches over one million annually and is continuing to grow.

Travelers from India, South Africa, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries from around the world research a multitude of facilities in Thailand for their needs, including the Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Superior A.R.T. for fertility treatments, and the Yanhee Hospital in Bangkok for a multitude of treatments and procedures offered in dentistry, cancer treatments, LASIK eye care, age management, and alternative medicine as well as traditional cosmetic and plastic surgery, fertility treatments, and executive health check procedures.

Rising healthcare costs and the desire for more choices when it comes to medical care drives thousands of travelers around the world to seek techniques and procedures in other countries, not only because they’re available, but because they’re excellent, experienced and affordable.

 

Tags: age management, alternative medicine, Australia, Bangkok dentistry, Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, cancer, cancer treatments, cosmetic and plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, diagnostic equipment, executive health check, eye care, fertility treatments, India, international travelers, Japan, LASIK, medical care, medical destination, medical facilities, medical services, Medical Tourism, Medical tourists, plastic surgery, quality care, south africa, Superior A.R.T., surgical procedures, thailand, United Kingdom, United States, world class facilities, Yanhee Hospital
Posted in Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Fertility Treatment Abroad, Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism, chronic disease treatment | 1 Comment »

by Denise

With a new year almost upon us, many of us are thinking about health and wellness and that goes for preventive care against common cancers like breast cancer, prostate and colon cancer, among others. Unfortunately, many diagnosed with cancer are faced with staggering drug costs, even though some of those drugs, especially Avastin, has shown great promise in treatment of breast cancer.

 

Some of the costs for cancer care may be absorbed by Medicare or private insurance, but still leaves patients dealing with debt in the amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Still, breast cancer treatments are suggested and encouraged for any individual who has received a diagnosis of breast cancer. When caught early enough, today’s therapies and treatments have grown increasingly successful in eradicating cancer cell growth and development, by as much as 70%.

 

Costs of biological hormone therapy treatments vary according to drug as well as the stage of cancer being treated. In the United States, price ranges for Avastin may cost up to $4,400 a month, while Herceptin costs an average of $3,000 a month.

 

In India, a year’s supply of Herceptin averages out to about $2,000 a month instead of the $3,000 a month in the U.S. In other locations such as Thailand and Singapore, medical travelers are also able to enjoy substantial savings.

 

Chemotherapy costs in the U.S. average about $500 per treatment, while comparative treatments in foreign destinations are much lower. A breast lump removal (lumpectomy) in the U.S. can cost an average of $2,500-$3,000, while such procedures can cost about $700 in India and about $1,000 in Singapore.

 

The Almater Hospital in Mexico and Makewell Meditour in India are just two of the many world-class and excellent facilities that provide cancer care abroad. When it comes to your care, cost shouldn’t be a factor.

Tags: Almater Hospital, Avastin, biological hormone therapy treatments, biological hormone treatment, breast cancer, breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer treatments, breast lump, cancer, cancer care, cancer care abroad, cancer cell, cancer treatment, colon cancer, health and wellness, health care options, Herceptin, India, international health care, international health care options, lumpectomy, Makewell Meditour, Medicare, Mexico, preventive care, private insurance, prostate cancer, Singapore, thailand, treatment of breast cancer
Posted in Cancer Treatment Abroad | 2 Comments »

by Denise

Antiaging treatments today consist of both medical as well as natural treatments and therapies. Everything from the latest techniques in thread lift surgical procedures to fat transfers to products that include human growth hormones, sprays and releasers are up for grabs. Natural as well as not-so-natural treatments for skin care and therapies, techniques and procedures to tighten the skin, enhance appearance and reduce unsightly wrinkles encourage a multibillion dollar industry. In addition to the benefits of daily exercise, adequate hydration, a balanced and nutritious diet and “youth in a bottle,” some of the most popular antiaging treatments include:

• Cosmetic and plastic surgeries
• Botox injections
• Human growth hormone products
• Fat transfers
• Antiaging skin care products
• Diets rich in antioxidants
• “Antiaging” medications
• Stem Cell (rejuvenation and regeneration therapies)

Antiaging creams and shelf products may cost anywhere between $20 and $75 or more per bottle, while thread lift surgical procedures cost around $3,000-$5,000 in the United States.

To fight such costs, many to travel south of the border, or to exotic destinations in Europe or Asia for affordable yet quality antiaging treatments. Individuals traveling to the Yanhee Hospital in Thailand, or Cedyt in Argentina or Ageless Wonders Panama in Panama in addition to the facilities found throughout Poland, Turkey and the Ukraine may save hundreds to thousands of dollars on antiaging treatments, procedures and programs.

Anti aging help is out there, if you know where to look. It’s high tech, affordable and offers expertise in new techniques and procedures from around the world.

 

 

Tags: affordable antiaging treatments, Ageless Wonders Panama, anti aging, anti aging help, anti aging therapy, anti aging therapy abroad, anti-aging treatments, antiaging creams, antiaging medications, antiaging skin care, antiaging skin care products, antiaging therapy, antiaging treatments, antioxidants, Argentina, botox, botox injections, CEDyT, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, fat transfer, fat transfers, human growth hormone products, human growth hormones, natural treatments for skin care, Panama, poland, rejuvenation therapy, skin care, thailand, thread lift, thread lift surgical procedures, tighten the skin, turkey, Ukraine, wrinkles, Yanhee Hospital
Posted in Anti Aging Abroad, Argentina Medical Tourism, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Medical Tourism, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism, cosmetic surgery in Mexico | No Comments »

by Denise

Studies have shown that infertility affects more than 6 million couples a year in the United States alone. Women suffering from ovulation difficulties, damage to uterine organs and other problems that prevent pregnancy benefit from fertilization treatments. Men suffering from infertility caused by low sperm counts or damage to reproductive organs also benefit from treatments. 

 

Some fertility treatment methods require cycles or multiple attempts throughout the process. For example, intrauterine insemination (IUI) in the United States may cost between $300- $800 per attempt. Multiple attempts may be necessary for success. The most successful fertilization process in the United States, in vitro fertilization (IVF), is also one of the most expensive, and may cost between $8,000-$10,000 per attempt, in addition to medication, which may cost over $2,000.

 

Infertility treatment abroad is growing in popularity and demand. Medical travelers to foreign destinations such as Mexico, South America, India, and Thailand and Turkey can save thousands, up to 75% of costs in the U.S. The best IUI in Turkey, the best IVF in Thailand, and the best infertility doctors in Argentina are out there. Popular destinations that treat infertility such as:

 

·         InteraFertility in Guadalajara, Mexico

·         Infertility Support Center in Tbilisi, Georgia  

·         Jordan Hospital in Amman, Jordan

·         Jinemed in Istanbul, Turkey

 

Lower costs in foreign destinations are not due to sub-standard care or training – quite the opposite. Lower costs are enjoyed because other countries don’t have to deal with the rising and often prohibitive costs of medical malpractice insurance that is rampant within the healthcare industry in the United States. Therefore, medical providers in other countries are able to perform such treatments, procedures and surgeries at huge savings to their patients.

 

Tags: Almater Hospital, amman, bangkok, best infertility doctors in Argentina, best IUI in Brazil, best IVF in Thailand, Brazil, fertility treatment, Fertility Treatment Abroad, fertility treatments, foreign destinations, healthcare industry, in vitro fertilization, India, infertility, infertility treatment abroad, intrauterine insemination, IUI, IVF, jordan, jordan hospital, low sperm counts, medical malpractice, Medical Sense Group, mexicali, Mexico, pregnancy, reproduction, reproductive organ damage, Sao Paulo, south america, Superior A.R.T., thailand
Posted in Fertility Treatment Abroad, Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

Why are so many people venturing abroad for their medical care? Why are expatriates returning to their homelands for medical care and treatment? Rising healthcare costs, uncertainty regarding Health Care reforms, and long wait times as well as limited options when it comes to techniques, methods and procedures to treat a wide variety of medical conditions that range from obesity and bariatric surgery to breast augmentation to sports training and rehabilitation, prompts individuals from around the world to travel abroad for their health care needs.

Expatriates from Japan, Thailand, Korea, and China are traveling to world-class facilities such as South Korea’s Wooridul Spine Care Hospital, while Albanians, Russians, Armenians, Georgians and those from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan are traveling to facilities in Croatia and Turkey.  North Americans are traveling to Mexico and South America in ever increasing numbers to receive affordable and quality cosmetic and plastic surgeon procedures, weight loss treatments, obesity and bariatric surgery treatments and dental care.

Citizens from France, England, Germany, Norway and Sweden are traveling to central European countries such as Poland, and Hungary for affordable medical care while South Africans increasingly travel to destinations such as India, Malaysia and Singapore for superlative, available, effective and affordable medical treatment.

This growing trend in International Medical Care, promoted by the Medical Tourism Board and Ministries of Health as well as medical tourism portals such as PlacidWay offer international patients a true choice in their healthcare options. Affordability, availability, quality, and effective care is available in medical fields from stem cell research and development to the latest in cardiac surgical procedures.

Tags: affordable cosmetic surgery, affordable medical care, affordable medical treatment, Albanians, bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery treatments, Breast augmentation, cardiac surgical procedures, China, cosmetic and plastic surgeon procedures, cosmetic surgery, croatia, dental care, effective care, expatriots, expats, health care, health care needs, health care reform, healthcare costs, hungary, India, international medical care, international medical destinations, Japan, Korea, medical conditions, medical destinations, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Board, medical tourism portals, Mexico, Ministries of Health, obesity, obesity and bariatric surgery, PlacisWay, plastic surgeon, poland, rehabilitation, Singapore, south america, sports training, stem cell research, thailand, turkey, weight loss, weight loss treatments, Wooridul Spine Care Hospital
Posted in Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Croatian Medical Tourism, Dental Tourism Abroad, Drug Addiction Therapy Abroad, Hungary Medical Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Medical Tourism Turkey, Mexico Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Rehab Centers Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism | 2 Comments »

by Denise

The 2009 World Medical Tourism and Global Health Conference of 2009 begins on Monday, October 26, 2009. The conference is designed to bring together healthcare providers, insurance companies, and medical personnel from around the world to discuss the growing trends in international medical and global health care and tourism. Taking place in Los Angeles, California, healthcare providers from around the world, including South America, Asia, Africa, Central Europe and the Middle East will join to discuss how to market services to international employers, patients and insurance companies.

Over 1.5 million Americans alone are expected to annually travel overseas for healthcare services in the coming years, with expenditures in the billions of dollars. Many south African nation citizens travel to locations in Southeast Asia including India, Thailand and Malaysia for quality healthcare, while Western, Central European and American travelers visit medical facilities in Middle Eastern and Central European countries such as Jordan, Croatia, and Albania for affordable, high class and timely procedures, treatments and operations.

Workshops, conferences, and networking benefit healthcare providers around the world, focusing on quality service, enhanced patient experience, and benefits of international healthcare, information regarding relevant and current case studies in the fields of technology, stem cell development and research, orthopedics, cardiac care, substance abuse and more.

Speakers at the conference will include Ministry Of Health as well as International Relations and Health Affairs Directors, Executive Hospital Board Council members, Ministers of Financial Services and health, Health Insurance representatives, speakers from the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Board Of Trustee members from the American Medical Association, the Medical Tourism Association, and more.

Tags: Africa, Albania, American Medical Association, asia, California, cardiac care, central Europe, croatia, Executive Hospital Board Council members, global health, global health care, Global Health Conference, global health tourism, Health Affairs directios, health conference 2009, healthcare, healthcare providers, healthcare services, India, international health care, international medical care, International Relations, jordan, Los Angeles, Malaysia, medical, medical facilities, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, middle east, Ministry of Health, orthopedics, overseas medical care, patient experience, quality healthcare, quality service, south america, Southeast Asia, stem cell, stem cell research, substance abuse, thailand, World Medical Tourism
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Tourism | No Comments »