What is Cosmetic Surgery?

This broad term for medical tourism covers all plastic surgery procedures designed to improve or enhance personal appearance.From facelifts, breast augmentation, uplift or reduction to tummy tucks and liposuction; combining cosmetic surgery with a getaway to an exotic land may be an option for several reasons. Services abroad can save 50-80% of US or UK prices. For example, a full facelift that would cost $12,000 in the US runs about $1,800 in Brazil (an 85% savings!).

Length of cosmetic surgery procedures

Considering cosmetic surgery with a vacation in paradise?  Actual surgical times vary with the procedure desired.  Breast Addition (or augmentation mammoplasty) requires an implantation surgery of one to three hours. Liposuction will vary from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the areas involved.  A partial tummy tuck patient will typically spend one to two hours in surgery, but this may be in an office surgical suite rather than an operating room.

Typical Recovery Time

Most cosmetic surgery procedures require 1 to 2 nights in a hospital with a recommended hotel stay following surgery of 7-10 nights. Many travelers add on a spa visit to their procedure to allow time for the body to relax and recuperate.

Countries of Cosmetic Surgery Excellence

• Thailand
• Bolivia
• Mexico
• Costa Rica
• Argentina
• Brazil

How to pick the best country for you

Because cosmetic surgery will possibly limit mobility due to some soreness for short period after surgery, it may be a good idea to plan relaxing tourist activities after the procedure. The more adventurous activities may be scheduled before the procedure. Many spas and wellness centers abroad cater to the post-cosmetic surgery patient and provide luxurious accommodations for follow up care.

What is Hip Resurfacing?

Unlike the traditional total hip replacement, hip resurfacing (also known as surface replacement arthroplasty) involves only replacing the top of the worn and painful ball joint with a chrome alloy cap. With total hip replacement, the recovery period is longer, bone mass is lost and possible complications increase. Also, hip resurfacing in the US is as not as popular among surgeons trained in this specialty procedure. By going abroad, you may have access to newer and more advanced surgeries than are currently available in the US and at a significantly lower cost.

Length of hip resurfacing procedures

Because this is considered a “minimally-invasive” procedure, operating time is typically 2 hours of set-up and operating time with 1 hour in the recovery room after surgery.

Typical Recovery Time

Most hip resurfacing procedures allow hospital discharge within 4 to 10 days.  Post-surgery walking may be done with support on the second day after the drain has been removed. Follow-up can be scheduled with one’s local physican once back home.

Countries of Hip Resurfacing Excellence

• India
• Dubai
• Belgium
• Germany
• Israel
• Malaysia
• Panama
• Singpore

How to pick the best country for you

Because hip resurfacing surgery will limit mobility, it may be a good idea to plan tourist activites before the procedure. Follow up visits aren’t typically required, so you can return home for further recovery and rest.

What is Dental Care?

Patients who want to give Medical Tourism a try will often try a Dental Care procedure first.  It is one of the most common and ever-increasing areas of medical tourism today.  One benefits typically found when getting dental work done abroad is that most facilities will have various different dental specialties located in the same office.  Typically in the US, you will go to your regular dentist who eill refer you to an Oral Surgeon who might then refer you to yet another professional to get the work you need done. One stop shopping is certainly more convenient.

Types of Dental care typically done abroad include:

• Whitening or Bleaching
• Dental Bridges
• Veneers
• Oral Surgery
• Full Mouth Restoration
• Root Canals
• Orthodontics
• Implants
• Crowns

Length of dental care procedures

Most dental care procedures can be completely within 1 to 3 weeks.  Some procedures like crowns or bridges require a lengthy visit because the facility will need to make impressions of your teeth, then have the permanent tooth created from the impressions.

Typical Recovery Time

Most dental procedures have a relatively quick recovery time.  Immediately following the procedure you will typically be monitored for any after effects of any anesthetic medications used.

Countries of Dental Care Excellence

• Bulgaria
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Spain
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Venezuela

How to pick the best country for you

Because some dental procedures can take some time due to the follow up visits required, you will want to pick a country that is appealing to you for tourist activities as well.  In between your dentist visits it will be nice to explore an area of interest as well as rest up from the work being done.