It seems that every other article that I read about having “work done” is sending us to another country to get it done CHEAPER. I have a friend, well…she’s really a friend’s mother who headed south to the islands to get it ALL done, and when I say “it all” she had a breast lift, tummy tuck, facelift, you name it. She looks FABULOUS. Then again, she did her research on not only what procedures she wanted done, but the doctor and facility as well.
The cost?
Less than half of what she would have paid here in the states.
On the flip side, I’ve heard of nightmares as well.
But, even WITH these stories, Americans are increasingly traveling abroad for expensive medical procedures that they couldn’t afford in the states.. So man so, that over 500,000 patients combine an exotic vacation with a surgical procedure every year. While my first reaction would be that they are going for cosmetic surgery (since that’s what I hear most about), I learned that this is just the TIP of the iceberg.
Weight Loss procedures:
Lap bands, gastric bypass surgery, anything to do with taking the weight off is popular. What many DON’T know is that there are procedures that are HIGHLY successful that are not yet done in the US, making traveling for bariatric surgery a consideration.
Getting pregnant:
So many couples struggle with fertility issues, and those that have been through it know that not only is it a strain on the family, but also on the pocketbook. The cost of an IVF procedure is over $12,000 per attempt in the states, and as you know it may take multiple procedures before you get results. But, one trip to Argentina will get you IVF for only $4,000, and you’ll STILL be able to enjoy a steak dinner and do some tango in the town square.
A nip and a tuck:
It seems that THIS is a favorite (especially with MY crowd), and I know people who’ve traveled from Costa Rica, to the Dominican Republic, to Thailand to get first-rate plastic surgery at rock bottom prices. Tummy tucks, face lifts, you can look breast lifts, and more – mean you can look younger and better for less with medical tourism.
Dentistry:
OUCH! I hate going to the dentist, even to have my teeth cleaned. When I found out that I needed extensive work and that WITH my insurance it would cost close to $10,000 I put it off. Even the quick one day implant that I was considering is expensive, especially since my insurance covers EVERYTHING EXCEPT THAT. Hubby needs lots of work too, so we are considering a trip to Costa Rica (home of good inexpensive dentistry) to get it ALL done at once…along with a trip to the rainforest and a spa to relax at while we’re healing.
Stem Cell Research:
Since it is so controversial here, and it’s progressing at a rapid rate overseas, more and more people looking for help with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are traveling to Singapore, where there are major advances happening every day.
My advice.
Talk to people here who have both had the procedure that you’re looking to have overseas, and check out the doctor and the clinic. I am in the process of making calls and talking to people who’ve “been there, done that.” Note that many of the doctors have been trained right here in the United States at great schools. Just take the time to research before you go.
Photo credit: thinkpanama / Foter / CC BY-NC
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