There was a time the rich and famous were the primary consumers of medical tourism. The increase in obesity in the UK paved the way for more individuals to access this amazing healthcare approach.
The UK is lucky to have experienced doctors who work round the clock to offer bariatric services to the teeming number of obese individuals. Despite this, most of these patients prefer embarking on international surgery than having the procedure in the UK. While this factor can be profitable to them, there are number of precautions they must take.
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What is Medical Tourism?
When you first head off to a different location from your immediate environ with the aim of getting medical treatment, you are already on medical tourism. The concept is the practice of travelling to a different country for medical treatment (such as surgical procedures).
The reasons for this step are many. However, the reduction in the cost of surgeries is the main factor. Hundreds of bariatric patients in the UK embark on this journey on yearly basis. On the flip side, patients have to wary when setting goals for international surgery. Sometimes, their expectations might be high. Hence, they end up disappointed with what they get.
Why is Medical Tourism so Popular?
The factors behind the recent surge for international surgery are many. To some, it is the low costs. To some others, the efficient service is an advantage. While these vary by patients, the bottom line is clear – effective procedures at low costs.
- The Fancy of a Vacation: By undergoing the mini gastric bypass surgery abroad, patients are in the line to enjoy some vacation. For those who have been yearning for sightseeing outside the UK, the period of their medical sojourn provides the opportunity to do so.
- Efficient Service: While doctors in the UK are at their toes in performing bariatric surgeries, their counterparts in other parts of Europe seem to be winning in the game. Most times, obese individuals cite the quality of service as one of the factors that buoy them to embark on medical tourism. For some other school of thought, there are up-to-date medical facilities outside the UK. Hence, they choose these locations because they want to get the best treatment for their obesity.
- Experience Matters: Without making a mockery of UK surgeons, the expertise of doctors abroad is on the high side. This factor came into view because of the number of procedures they have in their kitty. For instance, there is a distance between the 30,000 and above surgeries performed by France and the UK’s 3,000. When surgeons in these countries (outside the UK) perform multiple surgeries, they tend to have varied experiences. These will come in handy when performing subsequent procedures.
- Luxury and Accommodation: There is no rush when on medical tourism. Patients can stay as long as they want. Provided they can foot the bills (which are usually low), they get the opportunity to be pampered. In addition, they spa-like luxury that is an integral part of most clinics is icing on the cake of inexpensive surgery.
- A Bypass to Conventional Rules: The process of undergoing mini gastric bypass in the UK can be hectic. Sometimes, patients fail to meet up with the National Health Service’s (NHS) requirements. At other times, they might be facing challenges in getting insurance. To this end, medical tourism provides the window to bypass these conventional rules. While patients will be getting the best treatment, they will also be saving themselves from diseases caused by delays.
The Do’s of Medical Tourism: What to do before and during Medical Tourism
It will be wrong to rush at the prospects of international surgery for mini gastric bypass without making observations. There are important factors you have to take into consideration when preparing for medical tourism. Before you pack your bags and travel abroad, make thorough researches. The answers to the questions will determine if the sojourn will work to your favor or not. So, what are the things you have to do before and during medical tourism?
Make a Choice
Arriving at a decision is one of the problems patients face. It is important to make a decision on the country. After this, select a clinic. When making these choices, have in mind that medical guidelines differ by countries. For the mini gastric bypass, find out the procedure of each clinic and decide on the best.
- Contact a Medical Tourism Agency: It is the assumption that you are new to the country. Hence, you might not be familiar with the trends. There is the need to find out information about the clinic/hospital and the doctor (s). To achieve this, get in touch with a medical tourism agency. From the database, you can find the information you seek.
- Get in Touch with Previous Patients: You are not the first bariatric patient to undergo the surgery at the chosen clinic. For this reason, you can extract valuable information from previous patients. From their reviews, you can make a mental note of the clinic and the surgeon’s performance. If the data is not favorable, choose another clinic.
- Source Information Online: If you cannot get across to a medical tourism agency, you can read up information about the clinic online. A good way to do this is to access their web portal. Luckily, you can come across patients’ reviews. However, be careful with your consumption of such information. There is the tendency that some reviews are not honest. In addition, some information you get online might not be factual. It is pertinent to strive for first-hand information from the medical tourism agency and previous patients.
- Keep an Eye on Partnerships: You should have in mind that the bariatric surgery is similar to body contouring. Your lifestyle will get a turn-around. Thus, it is pertinent to keep your safety at the forefront of all deals. When making the choice of a clinic, keep an eye on their partners. If possible, look for those that are in collaboration with respected health institutions. Popular names such as the Cleveland Clinic and John Hopkins are what to look for. These hospitals are popular for their high standards in the medical field. Hence, a clinic that is in collaboration with them will also be of the same quality.
- Accreditations are Important: Accreditation institutions such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) must accredit the clinic you are looking at. This guarantees a risk-free procedure.
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Access the Quality of the Doctor
The next port of call is the doctor/surgeon. You want to be sure that the procedure is safe. Hence, the records of the doctor’s past surgeries should be on the list of things you access. It is pertinent to choose a specialist in the field of bariatric surgery (such as gastric sleeve surgery).
In addition, he must have his board-certifications from a reputable organization. The aim is to be sure of his expertise in the field.
Take Your Safety Seriously
No one likes the thought of passing away after passing through the knife. To this end, you should take your safety seriously. In the interest of cost, patients often overlook this vital factor. In the bid to get a low-cost procedure, they resort to cutting corners. This becomes the case when they settle for low-standard clinics that lack excellent surgical equipment.
The first step to safety is ensuring the clinic has certification from respected organizations. In addition, it should have up-to-date medical facilities. These helpful posers will help you make the best decision:
- Readiness to Control Complications: A clinic can put up excellent skills in the mini gastric bypass surgery. However, in the event of a complication after the procedure, they might not live up to expectations. Is the clinic prepared to help you when complications arise after the surgery? If they cannot, find another that could.
- Availability of ICU: There might be hitches in the course of the surgery. Does the clinic/hospital have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to keep you afloat while help comes?
- Proximity to a Major Hospital: Some clinics are in collaborations with major hospitals in the vicinity. Find out if the one you chose has such. In the event of a complication, you can get medical care at such hospitals.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
The pecks of medical tourism might get a clog in the wheels when there is no insurance. Most times, insurance companies in the UK restrict the scope of their coverage. If you are keen on international surgery, find out the possibility of insurance. You never can tell; there might be complications along the line. To be on the safe side, an insurance coverage “backs you up”.
Sometimes, when there are domestic problems in the course of the surgery, patients will be at the receiving end. While some companies are yet to decide on insurance medical tourists, others are already buying the idea. However, it is pertinent to check with your insurer and discuss the possibility of getting insurance.
Put Every Detail to Writing
This is not just to help you recall but will also serve as a protection. From the costs of the mini gastric bypass to the agreement with the clinic (or surgeon), every detail must be in writing. In the event of a derail along the line, you can find it easier to launch a legal follow-up. The idea of putting every detail to writing is to make sure every party is on the same page.
Some of the details are the cost of the surgery and the supplies you will need. The clinic or surgeon’s affirmation also comes in. With this, there will be no changes when you arrive for the procedure.
The Don’ts of Medical Tourism: Avoid these Mistakes when on Medical Tourism
There are certain steps you will not take when on international surgery. Most times, patients overlook these. The consequences of neglecting them can be of a disadvantage to the success of your surgery. Here are the things you must not do when on medical tourism:
Do not go alone
Always take someone with you. This is not just for the company but to also stand in for you when need be. In addition, it is important to designate a family member to take charge of your affairs until you get better. He can make calls on your behalf, and settle your bills.
Obesity is a burden and losing the extra kilos of flesh is stress. With the extra layer of stress that comes with flying overseas for the surgery, it is important to have someone who can help you feel less nervous.
Do not cut costs; Avoid the Lowest Bidder
Despite the fact that you might not be financially buoyant to foot the bills, do no cut costs for the mini gastric bypass surgery (or any other bariatric surgery). Sometimes, you tend to come across clinics that offer lower rates. While some of these offer excellent services, some others do not. If you must go along with the lowest bidder, be certain the service is top-notch and the procedure risk-free.
The Internet is not Your Friend
It is a truism that the distance between your chosen location and yours can be far. However, do not believe all the information you read online. If you have the means, get in touch with a medical tourism agency. Patients who underwent the procedure can also be of help to the information you seek. The internet might have served you with valuable information in the past. For bariatric surgery (such as a mini gastric bypass), the internet is not your friend.
Do not give up
In the midst of many challenges that can hinder your mini gastric bypass surgery, do not lose hopes of a solution. By hanging on and being optimistic, your emotional stability will be of help. Bariatric surgery is a long-term process and you have to be emotionally prepared to face it.
Hope for the Best; Expect the Worst
Bariatric surgery is two-way traffic. You can lose weight faster if it is successful. If complications marred the procedure, you will be battling to come out alive. While you prepare for medical tourism, hope for the best and always expect the worst. The surgery can wrong.
While you consult your doctor for guidance and speak with patients who underwent the procedure in the past, it is also pertinent to realize that medical tourism can be problematic. When complications arise and there is no insurance to back you up, you will be out in the cold. If you are keen on not having mini gastric bypass UK, Weight Loss Riga is at another end of Europe to receive you.
