Monday, April 15, 2013

Hip Replacement in Tijuana - How to Plan your Trip?

Severe hip damage can be very hard to live with. What can add to one’s agony is the high cost involved in getting a hip replacement surgery. However, hip replacement in Tijuana, Mexico can be a good option for people who want to improve their mobility and relieve hip pain without paying a lot. If you are considering hip replacement surgery in Tijuana, then it’s best to plan out your trip thoroughly. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Planning Your Medical Trip

 

Choosing a good doctor will determine your outcome. Not all surgeons in Tijuana have ample experience in hip replacement surgery. Choose a doctor that has experience with hip replacement and can do a good job performing your surgery. You can find doctors in Tijuana by doing a simple search on the net or by asking for advice from people you know who have already had hip replacement surgery in Tijuana. 

Pick a good time of the year to travel to Tijuana. In January, the temperatures in Tijuana are around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while they are about 83-90 degrees Fahrenheit in August. When you are planning your trip to Tijuana, you should choose the month which has the most pleasing weather in your opinion. 

Book your flights ahead of time. If you live in San Diego or other parts of Southern California, then you can travel to Tijuana for your hip replacement by land. If you live anywhere else, then you may need to fly to either San Diego or Tijuana for hip replacement. In order to save the most amount of money on your flight, you should book your tickets about eight weeks in advance to get the most savings.

Plan to stay a few days after the surgery. Though it may be tempting to return home right after the surgery, it is advisable that you stay in Tijuana a few extra days. This will allow you to easily see your doctor should you need any follow up visit after your surgery.

Bring a friend along if possible. If you have any friends who need to get their own medical treatment, then try to bring them along! It’s always better to travel with someone rather than alone. Even if you don’t know anyone who would be interested in medical tourism in Tijuana, you may still want to consider bringing someone with you for moral support.

You can always change your mind. If you plan a medical trip to Tijuana for hip replacement surgery, but things aren’t as you had expected when you get there, you can change your mind. Don’t think that you have to go through with the surgery just because you’ve already taken the flight. Remember – we’re talking about your health, and it’s always best that you are fully confident with the procedure you are going to get and the doctor who is going to do it.

Planning your trip properly can help you have the best possible outcome when you travel to Tijuana for hip replacement.  

Friday, April 12, 2013

ACL Repair in Mexico - Dos and Don’ts

If you are in need of ACL repair at a discounted price, then you may already be considering a trip to Mexico. Before you get your ACL repair in Tijuana or any other city in Mexico, you should consider the following “dos” and “don’ts” to help you have a smooth and hassle-free trip. 

Do plan out your trip.You may have heard that it is easy to cross the border into Mexico and find an ACL surgeon after your arrive in Tijuana or elsewhere in Mexico. While this is true, it is usually not advisable. If you live close to a border town and can travel to Mexico to meet potential ACL surgeons prior to making your final decision, that’s one thing. It’s another thing to go to Mexico without having planned your trip out and expect to find a doctor and get your surgery all in the same trip. 

Don’t cut corners. Instead, you should research possible ACL surgeons in Mexico and then choose the one that’s right for you. Ask important questions about the surgeon’s track record, experience, and expertise. By putting in the necessary time to research the right surgeon in Mexico for your ACL repair, you are determining the outcome of your procedure.


Do seek advice from people you know. Medical tourism in Mexico is quite popular, which means that you may know someone who has traveled across the border for medical care. Even if the person you know who traveled to Mexico for medical care didn’t get knee surgery, he still may have valuable insight on the overall experience. 

 
Don’t listen to everything they say.While we suggest you take advice from people you know who have already traveled to Mexico for medical reasons, remember that everyone will have their own experience based on a number of factors. There are many things that can influence the outcome of your medical trip to Mexico including the city you choose to visit, the doctor you go to, and the procedure you need to get done.


Do expect savings.Most people who travel to Mexico for ACL repair save around 40-60% of the price quoted by their American doctor. This is the kind of savings you should expect to have when you travel to a city in Mexico for ACL repair.

 
Don’t make a choice solely based on price.You may find surgeons offering ACL repair for as low as 80% of the American prices. While it may be tempting, remember that money isn’t the only factor you should be considering. You must always keep your health in mind. Someone offering surgery for dirt-cheap prices might be cutting corners on quality. 

Whether at home or abroad, whenever you consider getting a major procedure like knee surgery, you must take necessary precautions. Proper planning and a good doctor can ensure that you have a good experience during your medical trip to Mexico. When you get ACL repair in Mexico, your health should be your number one concern.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Knee Replacement in Mexico – A Viable Option

Knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty can help one regain painless mobility. The surgery usually sought by people suffering from arthritis or injury can be expensive though. This is why many Americans opt for knee replacement in Mexico. By traveling across the border to get treated, an individual can save thousands of dollars. 

Finding a Good Orthopedic Surgeon in Mexico


If you are considering a medical trip to Mexico for knee replacement surgery, then the number one thing to do is finding a good surgeon. Mexico abounds in surgeons – good and bad, experienced and non-experienced. In order to separate the best from the chaff you should:
·         Do ample research. Read up on different knee surgeons in Mexico to find the one that suits you the best. Make sure the surgeon -
o   Went to a good medical college
o   Has a good track record
o   Has ample experience in performing knee replacements
·         Request references. If you cannot find one online, you can ask the surgeon directly for references from the surgeon’s past clients.
·         Find out about the clinic. A surgeon may be great, but his/her clinic or hospital may not. While you get knee replacement surgery in Mexico you want to be as comfortable as possible. This means getting your knee surgery in an environment that will put you at ease. There are many hospitals and clinics in Mexico that are up to international standards, so there is no need to settle for less.
·         Always listen to yourself. If you do all the required research to select your surgeon, but feel uneasy once you arrive at the clinic, don’t be afraid to back out. If you find something alarming, that’s probably because something is not right. Don’t ever jeopardize your health!

Being a Safe Traveler


Whenever traveling abroad, one must keep basic safety practices in mind. The Mexican government is concerned about the safety of tourists, but you still have to be a responsible tourist to make sure you have a sound trip. Here are some tips to follow when traveling in Mexico:
·         Don’t go out with strangers.
·         Always inform your hotel about your plans for the day.
·         Don’t walk alone in unknown places.
·         Don’t walk around at night.
·         Carry only a limited amount of cash.

Following these tips will help you have a safe trip during your knee surgery in Mexico. 

There are many cities throughout Mexico where you can get your knee surgery done. Pick the kind of place where you will feel the most comfortable. If you want to make a vacation out of it, then you can pick a city with general touristy appeal such as Puerto Vallarta or Cancun. However, if you aren’t interested in spending additional time in Mexico before or after your surgery, you can simply travel to a border town, such as Mexicali, Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez. 

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Is Facelift in Cancun for You?

If you have started to see the effects of ageing on your face, then you may have thought about various cosmetic surgery options such as a facelift. However, you must have probably realized early on that the cost of such procedures is astounding in the USA, which is why many people travel to get a facelift in Cancun, Mexico for a more affordable price. But is it right for you?  Here are a few tips to help you find out whether or not traveling to Cancun for a facelift is ideal for you.


 

Traveling Internationally for a Facelift

 

If you are thinking about getting a facelift in Cancun, then you need to be okay with boarding an international plane. Luckily, traveling to Cancun is easier than traveling to other countries, but it is still international travel. You should be healthy enough to travel on a plane for a few hours. You don’t need a passport to travel to Mexico, but you do need some form of state-issued identification just like a driver’s license when taking other flights.

Reasons People Travel to Cancun for a Facelift


There are many reasons why Americans in particular would choose to visit Cancun for a facelift over other destinations. Some of those reasons include:
·         It’s easy to get there. Many cities in America have direct flights to Cancun. The flight is short in comparison to traveling to other international cities.
·         Many Americans have been to Mexico before. Mexico is hardly uncharted territory for the average American. Whether or not you’ve gone there before, you’re sure to know someone who has. This makes traveling to Cancun easier than traveling to lesser known destinations.
·         There are many Americans who travel to Cancun for facelifts and other procedures. Knowing you aren’t alone can make your cosmetic surgery trip to Cancun a whole lot easier. When you know that other Americans are getting facelifts in Cancun just like you are, it can be comforting and make the whole process a lot more enjoyable.
·         Cancun is affordable. Your facelift in Cancun is likely to cost 40-60% less than it would in the USA. Additionally, your travel expenses including airfare and hotel charges, are likely to be lower than in the US. Of course, how much you spend depends on where you stay, but Cancun offers plenty of options to those with a reasonable budget.

Cancun as a Vacation Destination

 

Another great reason why people may choose to get a facelift in Cancun is because it is a great vacation destination. This means you can also take that long overdue holiday for rest and relaxation. With great food, amazing beaches, a happening nightlife and plenty of positive cosmetic surgery reviews, your facelift vacation can turn into a real vacation in Cancun.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

How I Survived a Mommy Makeover



Be advised that there is not much you can do to beat the pain. Pain, hell yeah, it can give any self-styled masochist a run for his money. How did I, then, survive a mommy makeover? By sheer good fortune and karma. Here’s how my ordeal began.




I went to Tijuana for my mommy makeover in Mexico because I couldn’t have afforded it in California. Yes, I’m one of the 62% moms from American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey who would consider a mommy makeover only if cost wasn’t an issue. Call me vain, I don’t mind, because my abdominal hernias needed a surgical intervention and the muscles could do with some tucking up. 

Although I had apprehensions about the level of professionalism and quality on the other side of the border, I was gawping with surprise at my plastic surgeon’s facility. I patted myself on the back for choosing this particular hospital in Tijuana. My fingers were crossed about the skills of the surgeon. 

Truth be told, my surgeon did warn me about the excruciating pain for at least three days and that I’d come to hate him. My conceit prevented me from weighing the gravity in his cautionary words. “What could be worse than throes of labour?” I thought. I was dead wrong. He also warned me about complications such as hematoma or collection of blood under the skin. “I’ll deal with it…bring it on,” I told my surgeon. I wasn’t going empty handed from Mexico.

After the surgery, I wake up to a pain that can be best described as Satan lashing your run-over-by-a-truck tummy. Those three days on the hospital bed, were my worst nightmare. It felt like a fever dream. I swear I could do with some morphine.

I travel back to United States a day after I got discharged. The two weeks that followed weren’t any better. I hated myself for not being able to leave the bed and spend quality time with my kids. I tried reading, I tried watching TV. Nothing worked. It’s hard to concentrate with barbs under your skin. Try deep breathing at your own risk. It feels as if your sutures will come off any instant to reveal all the abomination inside.

Two weeks later, the drains were off. I started to walk about the house but it was a lot of discomfort. The daze from sedatives made me see black if my heart rate went up. I couldn’t go on without resting often. I was happy for whatever locomotion my tummy tuck afforded after almost 18 days. Life began to look normal again, however little.

It’s only after six weeks that I felt like myself again. The results were amazing. I loved my new self. I was excited to try all the clothes that I had abandoned. And not to mention, my lingerie collection. My husband lit up every time I walked past and passed those unmentionable lusty remarks.  

I couldn’t be happier. The pain was worth it.   

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

How Dental Tourism Can Save American Taxpayers’ Money



Medical tourism—of which dental tourism is a part—is predicted to become a 100 billion dollar industry by 2012, according to Frost and Sullivan. 

Consider these scenarios with an assumption that American medical tourists exclusively drive the phenomenon of global medical tourism.

Scenario 1 - Let’s assume the 100 billion dollars flow out from American pockets to low cost destinations.
InferenceToo bad for businesses back home.  
The 100 billion dollars could be taxed to ramp up state funded schemes to make healthcare affordable. Restores overall national health, all the same.   

Scenario 2 – Let’s assume the 100 billion dollars stay in American soil and do not flow out to low cost destinations.  
Inference - Make that 200 billion since the cost of medical care in the US is at least twice as high as the low cost destinations. Good for domestic businesses. Private practitioners grow rich leaving the patients poorer by additional100 billion. Restores overall national health, all the same. 

At this point, it’s unclear whether medical tourism is a friend or a foe. Let’s narrow our focus down on dental tourism. A lot of Americans are making dental trips to Cancun, Tijuana, Los Algodones, Puerto Vallarta and other cities of Mexico. Apparently, these are easy to travel to, particularly for the Hispanic American population concentrated near the border. Language and cultural affinity are other deciding factors.



Now, let’s look at the hard facts from a February 2012 report named “Dental Crisis in America – Need to Expand Access” by Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging:
1.   About 17 million low-income children received no dental care in 2009.
2.   One fourth of adults in the US ages 65 or older have lost all of their teeth.
3.   Low income adults are almost twice as likely as high income adults to have gone without a dental check up in previous year.
4.   Bad dental health impacts over-all health and increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and poor birth outcomes.
5.   There were over 830,000 visits to emergency rooms across the country for preventable dental conditions in 2009 – a 16% increase since 2006.  


Considering these facts, let’s look at how dental tourism could help in saving American taxpayers’ money.

A dental holiday, let’s say, to Cancun, doubles up as a vacation and family dental check-up. Imagine:

·   Parents proactively managing kids’ oral health after an educational tête-à-tête with a Cancun dentist
·   The one fourth of toothless folk above 65 improving quality of their lives and thereby prolonging it with affordable dental implants
·   Low income adults getting their rightful dental check-ups, albeit on the other side of the border
·   Good oral health negating the possibility of occurrence of diabetes, heart disease, and poor birth outcomes
·    Preventable dental conditions being nipped in the bud and consequently saving the individual and the state a lot of money


A healthy nation state has its own set of problems. What would all the doctors do if people don’t get sick? That’s another thing. 

It’s not hard to see why dentists in the US are teaming up with dentists across the border for strategic business tie-ups. Now, that’s win-win. Lately, they’re realizing dental tourism benefits all stakeholders and there isn’t logic in fighting them. 

In joining them, however, there is.