Nip, Tuck, Travel: Medical Tourism Destinations

Let’s face it: here in the United States, we’re coming to terms with the fact that medical services are unbearably expensive. Sure, if you have excellent health insurance you’re covered for most things, but many plans don’t cover elective operations such as plastic surgery. And unless you have cash in the bank like Heidi Montag or Chastity/Chaz Bono, that tummy-tuck or gender transition surgery is probably off the table, or at the very least extremely hard your bank account. And as far as non-elective procedures go, you might still be paying an arm and a leg for that quadruple bypass your cardiologist recommended you have— immediately.

There may be options out there that will lighten your monetary burden and even offer you some rest and relaxation while you convalesce: enter the world of medical tourism. Several well-known travel destinations also have, conveniently enough, excellent facilities for would-be patients. If you’re looking to get a procedure done, check out these alternative, medically-oriented vacation spots.

Thailand

Pristine beaches, delicious cuisine, rich culture, welcoming people, and some of the best health care in all of Asia attract hundreds upon thousands of people to Thailand for medical procedures. Many hospitals in Bangkok have top-notch facilities with services that are far less expensive than what you’d find in an American hospital. Bumrungrad International Hospital is world-renowned as one of the most popular spots for medical tourism in the world.

Images: naturalbornstupid and Jessica E Sideways/Flickr

Sure, most medical tourists may go for heart bypasses and orthopedic procedures, but there is a small, yet steady portion of patients who go for sex change operations. A subculture of Thai men who undergo sex-reassignment surgery has created a burgeoning industry for foreigners who seek the same medical expertise.

Costa Rica

It’s possible that Costa Rica is one of the world’s most perfect countries. Life’s a bit more calm. The people are known for their relaxed and casual outlook on life. They’re committed to eco-tourism as a way of conserving their pristine rain forests. Also, their medical facilities for cosmetic surgery are among the best in the world, with thousands of Americans visiting accredited hospitals in San Jose every year. Did we mention the surfing is pretty good too?

Images: keepitsurreal/Flickr and Panoramio

Not only do Costa Rican hospitals specialize in cosmetic surgery, but they are also building a strong industry for intermediate and advanced life-saving surgeries. Several hospitals in San Jose have been accredited by Western institutions.

Malaysia

This developed southeast Asian tiger is quickly becoming a hub for commerce as well as tourism. Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur has a number of excellent sights, including the iconic Petronas Towers, which once held the title as the tallest building in the world. But what’s the point of traveling there if you can’t actually see them? Eye surgery can be a tricky process, and not to mention expensive. However, Malaysia is well on it’s way to developing a solid medical tourism infrastructure, especially in the realm of ophthalmology.

Image: Nate Robert/Flickr and Scope International

Several hospitals are offering cutting edge procedures for patients in need of cataract of glaucoma treatment, including the International Eye Specialist Centre and Gleneagles Hospital. If you’re sick of wearing contacts or glasses, Malaysia also offers affordable LASIK surgery, at prices that can easily compete with ones in the United States.

India

The country with the second biggest population in the world is well-known for it’s emerging technology sector, which employs thousands of its citizens in call centers to help troubleshoot problems for computer users in the United States. Another growing industry in India happens to be in medicine, where well over 4 million tourists sought medical help in 2009. As health care premiums go up, patients are beginning to outsource themselves to India for care.

Image: Ads of the World

And why not? Chennai is India’s leader in medical tourism, with a large number of domestic patients visiting the southern Indian city because of it’s state of the art facilities. Following suit is India’s alpha city of Mumbai, which is currently constructing and refurbishing several hospitals for JCI accrediation; sort of the gold standard in hospital quality control.

Brazil

One of the most famous destinations for elective surgery is the place that practically perfected it. Brazil is foremost plastic surgery destination, and what better place to go recuperate after a round of cosmetic enhancements than somewhere well-known for it’s beaches?

Image: over_kind_man/Flickr

Even though regular, non-elective medical tourism is a growing field in Brazil, it’s cosmetic doctors are the ones who are highly coveted. Celebrities have been known to visit Brazil because they can have their surgery and recuperate in relatively anonymity. The classic surgery performed in Brazil is the famous “Brazilian Butt Lift” although med students are highly trained in all other cosmetic surgeries too, such as breast augmentation and liposuction.

Israel

The Holy Land isn’t just for religious travelers. Israel’s medical infrastructure is highly advanced, with some procedures such as heart surgery costing as little as $30,000 for the uninsured patient; compare that to well over a $100,000 for the same surgery in the United States. Israel’s life expectancy rates (over 81 years for women, and 77 years for men) mean excellent medical care, meaning a popular medical travel spot for Europeans and Americans.

Images: Or Hiltch and katsniffen/Flickr

Perhaps one of the most interesting reasons for medical tourism in Israel is for dermatology patients. Resorts and spas around the Dead Sea cater to a steady number of people with psoriasis, eczema, or any other type of uncomfortable skin inflammation or ailment, mainly because of the climate near the sea and the healing properties of the saline waters.

Eastern Europe

Looking to shape up those pearly whites? Perhaps add a nice veneer? Or even get a tooth extracted? Eastern Europe is becoming the place to get dental work done, especially for travelers from the UK and Ireland. While a root canal in the United States may cost upwards of $1300, in Poland the same procedure could run you a mere $200. In Hungary? Try $60.

Images: Klearchos Kapoutsis and ejdżej/Flickr

No need to be scared of a frightening post-communist dental experience, either. Both countries are importing state-of-the-art equipment and have highly trained dentists to cater to the growing number of travelers seeking crowns, bondings, and other implants.

United States

Wait a sec. Wasn’t the whole point of this post because America’s health care prices are through the roof? [Ed. note: Yea, wasn't it?] Yes, but health care in the United States is arguably the best in the world. Those willing to pay top dollar have a number of excellent institutions that specialize in cutting edge medical research at their disposal.

Images: kla4067 and Trodel/Flickr

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic, UCLA Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and University of California San Francisco Medical Center are consistently among the top facilities in the world. So please, come over and inject some cash into our struggling economy with a check-up and convalesce with a tour of one of our great national parks, such as Yosemite in California or Arches in Utah! Our doctors, nurses, and health care support staffs are waiting.