bluemorpho

ALL surgery holds inherent risks, even in the US. During my 16 years as a Patient Safety Officer and Quality Director in US hospitals, I know first hand that no one is guaranteed a good outcome of surgery. Many surgeons in other countries trained in the US, are board certified in the US, and operate in technologically advanced hospitals. My best advice is to avoid border towns, if the deal sounds too good to be true it probably is, and work with a professional medical tourism facilitator. The good facilitators have met the doctors to whom they refer and have visited their hospitals. Surgery should be done in a hospital that is accredited by the Joint Commission International, the same organization that accredits US hospitals. What you will find abroad is often a better price and often equal or better quality if you do your research. Remember that the people who LIVE in these countries have plastic surgery as well. The US does NOT have a stronghold on the best medical care in the world. Let me know if you want more information on medical tourism facilitation.

I am a medical tourism facilitator who also worked in US hospital patient safety for 16 years. Essentially "medical tourists" are the people going abroad for surgery, and I act much like a travel agent. However, my primary role is educating medical travelers about safety and ensuring they get connected with reputable and qualified hospitals and doctors. There are a lot of things you need to know before considering travel for surgery, and the fact that you can save up to 75% is not the only one! First and foremost, make sure you are going to a hospital that has been accredited by an agency such as Joint Commission International. This credential is a stamp of approval for hospital quality. Second, by working with an accredited hospital that caters to medical tourists, you will get access to the best and brightest of their medical team as well as extra services to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Third, consider working with a travel facilitator who has visited each hospital and is experienced with the process. A reputable facilitator will not charge you for their services. Rather, they get a referral commission from the hospital or doctor. Essentially, we do the marketing and travel planning for them so they can focus on taking care of their patients. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is NOT a third world country. In my experience, their Ministry of Health is as dedicated to quality care as the regulatory bodies in the US... if not more so! Finally, consider other destinations... El Salvador has a wonderful plastic surgeon who trained in the US and maintained a practice in Miami before returning home to his family in El Salvador. And the larger cities in Mexico have fantastic teaching hospitals that rival most of those in the US. Medical travel can be a safe and affordable option for plastic surgery, just be sure you work with pros and plan well!