Sheryl

Doctors here trained in Mohs are not skin cancer specialists at all. In fact most have limited experience with skin cancer. Just took a course in Mohs at some point (and likely never put it to use in Thailand -- it requires quite a bit more than a trained surgeon e.g. path lab on standby etc. ). Listing of Mohs training is not a reliable indicator. Skin check with Dr. Anna (excluding biopsy if needed and any mefications) about 2,000 baht. You are unlikely to get reliable information on excision costs by emailing or calling hospitals. The people who handle such mails are clerks who simply refer to charts and will have fifficulty knowing (guessing is more like it) what item on a rate scale this would fit. Further, costs vary greatly depending on size and depth to be excised. This could be anywhere from an office procedure using lidocaine to a 1-2 night hospital stay involving use of OR and general anesthesia. You need an in person consultation with the doctor who will do the excision so he/she can see it, read the path report etc from Australia and develop a treatment plan. Only then can cost be estimated.

There is not and never has been an official limit. However, immigration officials are instructed to be wary of people entering on the "wrong type" of visa or using tourist visas/visa exempt entries to actually live here. These messages are never AFAIK accompanied by any clear guidance on how to detect same leaving it up to individual IOs to decide, with predictable insconsistancy resulting. Also, such messages go out erratically, there are periods where there seems to be an effort to clamp down and then lulls in between. And IOs vary greatly in whether and how much attention they pay to such things. Also some known variation by checkpoint e.g. Poipet/Aranyaprathet is notoriously difficult. Things that seem likely (but are not guaranteed) to at least raise questions are (1) rapid re-entry, especially on visa exempt (i.e. just a few days gap...you can see why that would indeed look like perhaps you were actually living in Thailand and not a tourist) and (2) accumulating more than 6 months time in-country in the same 12 year period. This is nto an actual "rule" but more of a rule of thumb that some IOs use an indication that someone is not really a toruist. You are generally safer having a visa than coming in visa exempt if you fall into either of the above categories. And always be ready to answer questions as to what you are doing in Thailand/why coming so often or staying so long.Such questioning usually ends with the person still being stamped in.

Quite an astonishing number do assume this. Not just that it is cheap in Thailand, but that it costs next to nothing to provide anywhere; these people usually have no idea what private hospitals in their home countries charge nor how much they have paid over their lifetime for "free" care through an NHS or equivalent, nor what various procedures cost the NHS to provide. Even outside of tourist areas, government hospitals are far from cheap if specialized surgery and ICU stay etc is involved. (Though of course still much less than private -- depending on the diagnosis/care received, and the specific private hos[ital, difference is 3 - 5 fold.). But in a serious illness that can be the difference between 1-2 milion baht and 5 million+. Too many people have a simple visit or stay at a government hospital and assume the bill is indicative of what everything and anything medical will cost. Not the case.

Moved to Pattaya forum

Liquid nitrogen (the "cold gun") is not appropriate to OP's situation which is a confirmed melanoma. Needs to be excised, and generously. But since you asked, Dr. Donna at medconsult does liquid nitrogen for a fraction of that cost. Need to call ahead to make sure it's in stock before you go, sometimes they run out. https://www.medconsultasia.com/gp-consultation/

My thought also. Plus he may have gone into ER initially which always entails added costs. Certainly shoudl nto have bought the meds at the hospital (if in fact abx were even needed)

Dr. Anna is unquestionably the best doctor for skin cancer in Thailand. But OP (1) apparently doesn't to suspect cancer/ feels sure it is not (just wants cosmetic mole removal) and (2) asks specifically for Bangkok.

If a mole is malignant, that is melanoma and unlike other skin cancers, very, very dangerous and potentially fatal. Nothing to mess around with or delay on, it can spread to other body organs.

Issue with BPH is simply the cost, which is similar to Bumrungrad. And (not all the doctors, but the hospital per se) excessive profit-seeking behavior (ditto). Dr. Anna is the only -- and I emphasize, the only -- doctor in Thailand who specializes in skin cancer and has decades experience treating it. (She worked for a long time in the US). In your case as a melanoma has already been diagnosed such experience is less important, you just need a surgeon to excise it and -- here is the rub -- a pathologist experienced with melanomas to check for clear margins. Dr. Anna has one she trusts (she may actually send specimens abroad, not sure on that - but she knows which pathologist to use). Remember how rare these conditions are in Thailand. Dr. Anna does simple surgeries herself but whether she would excise your melanoma or refer you to either a plastic surgeon (e.g. if on the face or otherwise concerned about scarring) or a general surgeon will depend on the size and location of the lesion. Although there are doctors (a few) trained in Mohs here, none of them as far as I know actually do it. Last time anyone checked, this was also true of Dr. Niyyom. If you really want Mohs better go to Australia for it. But if the lesion is not on your face and you are not too concerned about scarring, a regular incision with generous margins would suffice and is not at all technically hard to do, as mentioned the key issue is the path exam of the margins and then follow-up care.

No matter what the Thai government announces there appears to be no convincing Thais to take the masks off, at least nto out where I am. Even people walking alone down completely deserted roads. They all have a mask on, still. It is only a minor annoyance now but I really really hope it stops before the hot season sets in.

Closed in keeping with Health Forum specific rules: 4. Posting/pinning of news articles: The forum is for members to seek advice on health/beauty related matters. it is not the place for general dissemination of news, research findings etc. Members are not to post news articles/research findings unless in the context of a discussion specific to an ASEAN NOW member's health/beauty related problem. https://aseannow.com/topic/224498-health-forum-rules/

Other good options are http://www.dentalhospitalbangkok.com/ https://bangkokdentalcenter.com/ Both these and Asavant will be sognificanlty less expensive than Bumrungrad

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Roekchai-Tulyapronchote https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Tagann-Chaisam (probably best choices but available only at Bumrungrad) https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Surasak-Komonchan https://www.medparkhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-surasak-komonchan https://www.vichaiyut.com/en/profile_doctor/dr-surasak-komonchan/ (same doctor, different hospitals) https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-chanpong-tangkanakul https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/doctor/detail/jitrada-samajarn

Moles can be removed via excision, laser or (more rarely) liquid nitrogen - it very much depends on the size of the mole. Also depends on whether it needs a biopsy - if so (and an itchy mole might) then has to be excision. Since some of th4ese are on face should note that when liquid nitrogen is used the mole changes color, forms a sort of scab and that eventually falls off i.e. using this on face would result in being very unsightly for possibly a few weeks. I am also not sure it would be possible to adequately shield eyes, nose and mouth etc - I've not seen liquid nitrogen used on face. For all 3 methods, only done by doctors. I have no idea re dermatologists at BCH.

Off topic posts have been removed

The hemorrhoids can certainly explain blood assuming it was nto large amount. You would see a colorectal specialist at a hospital, where in Thailand are you? There are a variety of different treatments possible for hemorrhoids, it depends on whether internal or external, whether infected etc etc.

A topical lidocaine spray, if you can get it, is helpful at this stage There is something on lazada https://www.lazada.co.th/products/vasocaine-topical-anesthetic-spray-i2861283334.html Or you can try to find Oxacain topical spray at a pharmacy

If it does not work I suggest you try one of the better known/recommended brands and in larger dose before giving up. Brand makes a big difference. Remember these are classified as nutritional supplements not pharmaceuticals in country of origin which means almost no regulatory oversight so no gurantee it contains the active drug in amount stated. Takes trial and error and also reading online reviews (Amazon etc) to find reliable formulations.

Yes, waits for scans at government hospital are quite long. So much so that many Thai patients pay privately to have it done at a private imaging center (not an option for this sort of specialized MRI)

Per your other posts, hospital request for pre-approval went to them only about a week ago? That is hardly foot dragging.

Locally made brands of these drugs are: Irbesartan Besanta Irbesaratan GPO Bewel Presolin Rosuvastatin Rosuvastatin GPO Chlestor Crestatin K-zuva Otagil Rostatin Rovastor Surotin Pattaya seems to be difficult for sourcing local generics (there are several large pharmacies in Bangkok good for that). You can try at the main branch of Fascinos. If no luck, could also purchaser online from: https://medtide.com/ (have to create an account first, then can search drugs and order. Has local brands of both drugs) https://medisafepharma.com/ (use the Messenger button to ask for quotes) Both places are quite reliable and shipping charges are modest

Stiff left ventricle = diastiolic heart failure. Which would be (very) symptomatic. By the time you have this, considerable damage has already occurred. What one wants is not to test for a stiff ventricle but the factors that over time lead to it, such as: coronary artery disease uncontrolled hypertension uncontrolled/poorly controlled diabetes cardiac hypertrophy. A stress test or (much more expensive but most accurate) coronary artery CT calcium scan will show if there is coronary artery disease. A simple chest Xray will show if there is cardiac enlargement, so will CT. An echocardiogram gives information on heart's performance in pumping, condition and performance of the heart valves, and would also indicate if there is any enlargement of atria or ventricles.

It totally depends on the policy. If yours say alll MRIs are covered, even if not hospitalized, then it is. Assuming no other conditions (like related to subsequent hospitalization, or related to cancer) mentioned. If it is a private hospital, give them your insurance details and have them contact insurer for guarantee of payment.

Antibodies are not the only indication of immune response. Antibody levels can become undetectable yet cell-mediated immunity remain. In vitro tests of cell-mediated immune response are difficult to do which is why the preferred approach is controlled trials looking at actual disease incidence and severity.

No public compounding pharmacies here to my knowledge, but possibly (not sure) a hospital pharmacy could do this for you on doctor's order. Your best option is probably to have a friend back home get it from you from your home country physician and mail it to you by regular post (do not use a courier). Or you might be able to get in mail order from India as there are Indian made preparations. E.g. https://www.heethealthcare.co.in/crema-gel-diltiazem-topical-2-w-w-4131579.html (note I have no experience with that supplier.) If getting from India, also do not let them use a courier. If you do a google search for "online pharmacy India site:Aseannow.com" you may find some recommendations for online pharmacies in India which ship to Thailand. Quantities must be kept small to avoid customs issues., It is technically illegal to import pharmaceuticals through the mail but in practice small parcels usually get through if sent by regular mail and some suppliers are experienced in doing this. Otherwise consult a colo-rectal specialist at one of the larger internatioanl hospitals and see what they can do.