Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

[tuffy]

I need to have my gallbladder removed according to my doctor in the US after viewing my ultrasound.

He suggested the laparoscopic method was the way to go. Has anyone had this procedure done, what was your recovery time? What did it cost?

What are your opinions on hospitals in the Pattay-Rayong area?

I have seen a lot of bad opinions about the BKK Hospital - Pattaya. Does anyone suggest I go there???

How about Queen Sirijit Hospital near Sattahip?

Thanks for your opinions!

Scott

[lanny]

I need to have my gallbladder removed according to my doctor in the US after viewing my ultrasound.

He suggested the laparoscopic method was the way to go. Has anyone had this procedure done, what was your recovery time? What did it cost?

What are your opinions on hospitals in the Pattay-Rayong area?

I have seen a lot of bad opinions about the BKK Hospital - Pattaya. Does anyone suggest I go there???

How about Queen Sirijit Hospital near Sattahip?

Thanks for your opinions!

Scott

I had this done at Bumrungrad Hospital back in 2001. Because I'm diabetic, they kept me in the hospital for an extra two nights. I went to the hospital late one evening because of what I thought were severe gas pains. They kept me overnight and operated first thing the next morning. The gall stone they showed me after was as large as the end of your thumb!

With three nights in a large, private room (3,000 a night, as I recall) the total bill -- hospital, operating room, surgeon, nursing care, meals -- was just under 130,000 baht. Don't know how much fees have been increased in the last 6 years, though.

I was quite satisfied with the whole process, including the cost. However, if I were to do it all over now, I think I would choose BNH hospital. I like the doctors there, the atmosphere is not so rushed, and the cost is less than Bumrungrad but care and competence is equal to Bumrungrad.

[tuffy]

I need to have my gallbladder removed according to my doctor in the US after viewing my ultrasound.

He suggested the laparoscopic method was the way to go. Has anyone had this procedure done, what was your recovery time? What did it cost?

What are your opinions on hospitals in the Pattay-Rayong area?

I have seen a lot of bad opinions about the BKK Hospital - Pattaya. Does anyone suggest I go there???

How about Queen Sirijit Hospital near Sattahip?

Thanks for your opinions!

Scott

I had this done at Bumrungrad Hospital back in 2001. Because I'm diabetic, they kept me in the hospital for an extra two nights. I went to the hospital late one evening because of what I thought were severe gas pains. They kept me overnight and operated first thing the next morning. The gall stone they showed me after was as large as the end of your thumb!

With three nights in a large, private room (3,000 a night, as I recall) the total bill -- hospital, operating room, surgeon, nursing care, meals -- was just under 130,000 baht. Don't know how much fees have been increased in the last 6 years, though.

I was quite satisfied with the whole process, including the cost. However, if I were to do it all over now, I think I would choose BNH hospital. I like the doctors there, the atmosphere is not so rushed, and the cost is less than Bumrungrad but care and competence is equal to Bumrungrad.

Where/ what is BNH ? The more I have been surfing TV posts about BPH, I would have to be nuts to have anything done there!

[CGW]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

[lanny]

Where/ what is BNH ? The more I have been surfing TV posts about BPH, I would have to be nuts to have anything done there!

BNH is the "new" name for Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital. It is located on Soi Convent, between Silom and Sathorn.

[tuffy]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

I am pretty sure mine needs to come out and a simple flush won't fix it. My doctor told me that my gallbladder was packed full of stones. It looked like a bag of marbles!

[Tammi]

I need to have my gallbladder removed according to my doctor in the US after viewing my ultrasound.

He suggested the laparoscopic method was the way to go. Has anyone had this procedure done, what was your recovery time? What did it cost?

What are your opinions on hospitals in the Pattay-Rayong area?

I have seen a lot of bad opinions about the BKK Hospital - Pattaya. Does anyone suggest I go there???

How about Queen Sirijit Hospital near Sattahip?

Thanks for your opinions!

Scott

I had this done at Bumrungrad Hospital back in 2001. Because I'm diabetic, they kept me in the hospital for an extra two nights. I went to the hospital late one evening because of what I thought were severe gas pains. They kept me overnight and operated first thing the next morning. The gall stone they showed me after was as large as the end of your thumb!

With three nights in a large, private room (3,000 a night, as I recall) the total bill -- hospital, operating room, surgeon, nursing care, meals -- was just under 130,000 baht. Don't know how much fees have been increased in the last 6 years, though.I was quite satisfied with the whole process, including the cost. However, if I were to do it all over now, I think I would choose BNH hospital. I like the doctors there, the atmosphere is not so rushed, and the cost is less than Bumrungrad but care and competence is equal to Bumrungrad.

Costs have increased a lot. I disagree that BNH is less costly than Bumrungrad.

But phone both Bumrungrad and BNH and ask what a straightforward removal of gall bladder costs and cost of rooms.

Food is much much better at BNH.

Also at BNH another good thing is that you can ask for Dr. Irene to watch over you!

Dr Chanvit at Bumrungrad is the surgeon I have used. He specialises in laparoscopic surgery. Educated at Leeds University and Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons, U.K.

Good luck!

[lannarebirth]

I need to have my gallbladder removed according to my doctor in the US after viewing my ultrasound.

He suggested the laparoscopic method was the way to go. Has anyone had this procedure done, what was your recovery time? What did it cost?

What are your opinions on hospitals in the Pattay-Rayong area?

I have seen a lot of bad opinions about the BKK Hospital - Pattaya. Does anyone suggest I go there???

How about Queen Sirijit Hospital near Sattahip?

Thanks for your opinions!

Scott

I had it done last yearat B Care medical Center in Bangkok. All tests, meds, operating room, surgeon, and private room fr 3 days cane to 48,000 baht. I was very impressed with both the hospital and the surgeon. My best friend here in Thailand is Chief of Family Medicine there and he lined me up with the surgeon he thought the best (and took his out).

http://www.bcare-mc.com/indexeng.htm

Best of luck to you.

[lannarebirth]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

I tried that (twice). My gallstone was too large to be moved by it, just as my doctor said it would be. He also said if it weren't so large, but werestill larger than my bile duct, it might move just enough to obstuct my bile duct and then I'd have a life threatening emergency on my hands immediately. I'd check with a physician first and have the ultrasound measurement of the stone checked.

[tuffy]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

I tried that (twice). My gallstone was too large to be moved by it, just as my doctor said it would be. He also said if it weren't so large, but werestill larger than my bile duct, it might move just enough to obstuct my bile duct and then I'd have a life threatening emergency on my hands immediately. I'd check with a physician first and have the ultrasound measurement of the stone checked.

My doctor made a comment to that effect as well. He said they are too big to pass and if they did they would get stuck in the liver duct and then i would have a serious problem. So now I just need to figure out which hospital to go to for the surgery.

Those that have had this done... how many days did you spend in the hospital and how many days at home in pain recovering?

[lannarebirth]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

I tried that (twice). My gallstone was too large to be moved by it, just as my doctor said it would be. He also said if it weren't so large, but werestill larger than my bile duct, it might move just enough to obstuct my bile duct and then I'd have a life threatening emergency on my hands immediately. I'd check with a physician first and have the ultrasound measurement of the stone checked.

My doctor made a comment to that effect as well. He said they are too big to pass and if they did they would get stuck in the liver duct and then i would have a serious problem. So now I just need to figure out which hospital to go to for the surgery.

Those that have had this done... how many days did you spend in the hospital and how many days at home in pain recovering?

Tuffy,

I spent one day pre-op and 2 days post-op in hospital. In the US they'd have admitted me done the deed and discharged me in less than 24 hours. One needs observation after surgery to see if there are any ill affects. It was just the right amount of time and was the best care I've ever experienced in any hospita,l anywhere. There's an additional bed in the room for family to stay with you.

There isn't really much pain at all, associated with the procedure, and i was back to my regular routine upon discharge.

[tuffy]

There are those who consider gallbladder removal unnecessary?

Just a suggestion, take a look here before you make the decision.

http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=447

Cheers

I tried that (twice). My gallstone was too large to be moved by it, just as my doctor said it would be. He also said if it weren't so large, but werestill larger than my bile duct, it might move just enough to obstuct my bile duct and then I'd have a life threatening emergency on my hands immediately. I'd check with a physician first and have the ultrasound measurement of the stone checked.

My doctor made a comment to that effect as well. He said they are too big to pass and if they did they would get stuck in the liver duct and then i would have a serious problem. So now I just need to figure out which hospital to go to for the surgery.

Those that have had this done... how many days did you spend in the hospital and how many days at home in pain recovering?

Tuffy,

I spent one day pre-op and 2 days post-op in hospital. In the US they'd have admitted me done the deed and discharged me in less than 24 hours. One needs observation after surgery to see if there are any ill affects. It was just the right amount of time and was the best care I've ever experienced in any hospita,l anywhere. There's an additional bed in the room for family to stay with you.

There isn't really much pain at all, associated with the procedure, and i was back to my regular routine upon discharge.

lannarebirth,

Thanks for the info I will look into B care further. What was the name of your surgeon?

[Weho]

I don't know anything about that medical situation, but the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is top notice, in my opinion, although clearly not the cheapest place. There were some previous postings I recall, that it was possible to negotiate prices with them for some things, especially on more expensive procedures/stays.

I can't vouch for them, but the Yanhee Hospital in Bangkok, yanhee.com, claims to do just about everything, and I know it's cheap... and they have TONS of foreign people that go there... it's definately not as glamorous as other hospitals... I have no idea about their level of care, but if money is a concern, I know they are cheap. Make sure to go to the effort to get MULTIPLE OPINIONS. Good luck!

And please share your experiences here, so others may benefit as well...

[tuffy]

I don't know anything about that medical situation, but the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is top notice, in my opinion, although clearly not the cheapest place. There were some previous postings I recall, that it was possible to negotiate prices with them for some things, especially on more expensive procedures/stays.

I can't vouch for them, but the Yanhee Hospital in Bangkok, yanhee.com, claims to do just about everything, and I know it's cheap... and they have TONS of foreign people that go there... it's definately not as glamorous as other hospitals... I have no idea about their level of care, but if money is a concern, I know they are cheap. Make sure to go to the effort to get MULTIPLE OPINIONS. Good luck!

And please share your experiences here, so others may benefit as well...

I plan to take my time and do more some research once the TV members point me in right direction. I will definitely keep everyone posted! Thanks so far for every ones experiences and opinions.