Should I have hernia done in private or public hospital

[charliebadenhop]

Please explain to me what is what-

It seems to me that pretty much every doctor in Thailand spends a considerable amount of their work week working in a public hospital. Is this so, or not?

 

I had shoulder surgery this year, done by a very highly regarded surgeon who works on pro athletes and people with "enough" money, and he works most of the time in a public hospital, and like most if not all doctors here, he also has a part-time private clinic.

 

Please help me understand what goes on!

 

[ubonr1971]

1 hour ago, watgate said:

I had hernia surgery at Buriram Govt Hospital 4 months ago and it was the conventional non laparoscopic procedure. I am very pleased with the outcome and I am still on the mend.

Doesn't sound as if they did a very good job if you are 'still on the mend' after 4 months. Private hospital told me within a few days to 1 week should be back to normal basically with laproscopic hernia repair with mesh which is the 'gold standard'....

 

In the end did you have open surgery no mesh?

 

I think Id rather pay a higher price than have 4 months of discomfort

[Neeranam]

I pay the 432 baht insurance but never go to the govt. hospital. The reason is that they are not very good and mostly because I still work and it takes too long. However, if there was something like this that requires 300k if done privately, I would definitely go to the govt. one. Otherwise, no point in paying the 432 baht every month. 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Neeranam

[ubonr1971]

2 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

Please explain to me what is what-

It seems to me that pretty much every doctor in Thailand spends a considerable amount of their work week working in a public hospital. Is this so, or not?

 

I had shoulder surgery this year, done by a very highly regarded surgeon who works on pro athletes and people with "enough" money, and he works most of the time in a public hospital, and like most if not all doctors here, he also has a part-time private clinic.

 

Please help me understand what goes on!

 

Drs and dentists are on contract after they graduate to work at the govt' hospitals for x years. Some quit and go private after the 5 yr period and some do both. Out of uni they are allocated a 'senior' dr to supervise but they basically do thousands of cases in their speciality field (dr and dentists). 

[Neeranam]

12 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

Please explain to me what is what-

It seems to me that pretty much every doctor in Thailand spends a considerable amount of their work week working in a public hospital. Is this so, or not?

 

I had shoulder surgery this year, done by a very highly regarded surgeon who works on pro athletes and people with "enough" money, and he works most of the time in a public hospital, and like most if not all doctors here, he also has a part-time private clinic.

 

Please help me understand what goes on!

 

The secret is to go to their clinic to get a good diagnosis and if you can't afford the private operation fee, go to the public hospital where he works. 

One thing which is interesting, all the doctors at private hospitals are Chinese. 

[IvorBiggun2]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

One thing which is interesting, all the doctors at private hospitals are Chinese. 

Where'd you get the source of your info from? I don't believe it.

[charliebadenhop]

Quote-

The secret is to go to their clinic to get a good diagnosis and if you can't afford the private operation fee, go to the public hospital where he works. -

 

Is this really possible? The dr. at his private office names a big price that you don't feel like you can afford, so you go to the public hospital where he works and get the job done for a lot less?!

 

[DJ54]

Had hernia operation open surgery with mesh. Had to look scar because never thought about it.Scar barely noticeable. This was at Udon Thani government hospital. Checked in afternoon the next day operated and stayed one additional day. In a ward not private room. Service was good. You should have someone come and bring you necessities as needed. All in All a good experience….

[IvorBiggun2]

4 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

The dr. at his private office names a big price that you don't feel like you can afford, so you go to the public hospital where he works and get the job done for a lot less?!

The doctor doesn't quote the 'price' the hospital does. He works at public hospital during the day but moonlights at private hospitals outside his normal working hours.

[charliebadenhop]

Well "yes" the private hospital sets the overall price, and in my case the fee for the doctor (everything was itemized) was rather hefty, so I would think his fee would be a good deal less when he works in a public hospital.

 

My guy is maybe 50 years old, so he has been working like this for quite some time.

 

[Hawayman]

In 2011 I had an identical problem and I had it fixed at Pattaya Memorial Hospital within two days of inspection. Cost was 50,000 baht. It was an excel;lent job and I have had no problems since. Incidentally, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital gave me an estimate of 150,000 baht whilst the ever generous Pattaya International Hospital estimated 120.000 for the same operatrion.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Found a very good surgeon who works at the same private hospitals, and two days a week at the public hospital. He will do the procedure. 150 to 170k with initial rehab and extras. 

Yes most specialists, surgeons working in Govt. hospitals mainly work in the private hospital.

Had a chat with one surgeon about removing Titanium rod from femur, "Oh you'll have to come to 'my' private hospital, we need "specialist" equipment to remove it" I repeated this to an Ozzy surgeon who was the one who fitted it, his reply was "BS we just use a hammer and chisel" I kid you not. 

Nice try to extort money IMO. Oh and its still in years later no probs.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, charliebadenhop said:

It seems to me that pretty much every doctor in Thailand spends a considerable amount of their work week working in a public hospital. Is this so, or not?

Maybe the doctors do, but not the surgeons/specialists

That why you can only see them on a particular day one a week in govt. hospitals. In my Experience. From dermatologists to major surgery.  

[1happykamper]

300k for this simple surgery is outrageous! 

 

Just like private hospitals here... Public hospitals can be the same... some are good some bad. 

 

I would use a public... Probably 50 to 80k...   BUT definitely get real world first hand recommendations for that hospital 

[1happykamper]

1 hour ago, charliebadenhop said:

Quote-

The secret is to go to their clinic to get a good diagnosis and if you can't afford the private operation fee, go to the public hospital where he works. -

 

Is this really possible? The dr. at his private office names a big price that you don't feel like you can afford, so you go to the public hospital where he works and get the job done for a lot less?!

 

Yes! I did eczc8thid with an orthopedic surgeon.. Public hospital wanted about 600k for 2 hour surgery to fix my broken leg... Had it fine in a public hospital... Same surgeon 5555...117k

[Mr Dome]

Was quoted 95K baht at the private wing of Chula hospital last August, where they can do you within a week. Was told it would be half if that in that gleaming new public highrise wing just a couple doors down the street but need to wait until early October for OP date (your doctor will be just as good).

 

In the end, it depends on where you live and how much you wish to pay for faster service.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, ubonr1971 said:

Im interested in your comment. Actually Ive had the hernia for several weeks now and no issues. I wonder if I can just leave it for a while similar to the way I deal with other health issues. 

Assuming it is actually a hernia (not all groin lumps are) and that you have no unusual surgical risk factors repair is recommended but there is no immediate rush.

 

The rationale for surgical repair is the risk of subsequent strangulation

 

 

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, ubonr1971 said:

 

 

In the end did you have open surgery no mesh?

 

Mesh is usually used in both laparoscopic and open repairs. 

[amsterdammer]

Last November I faced the same dilemma, and researched my options. Selected my local government hospital in central Sukhothai. Regular open surgery was the procedure undertaken. 1 nights stay in private room and home next day. 14,000 baht total damage. Nothing but praise for all staff from beginning to end, plus the final result.  Initial assessment on Monday -> under the knife Thursday-> Home on Friday. 

 

Private hospital (literally across the street) quoted 50,000 and would have included the very same procedure and surgeon.

 

I even considered using the UK NHS and found I had a 58 week wait. 

[jingjai9]

I had hernia surgery at the Military Hospital in Udon Thani in August of 2016. It went very well and I did not have a private room. I got the mesh.

I work here in Thailand so the bill was 11,500 baht. They required me to pay a 15,000 dollar deposit when I was admitted and the difference was returned to me at the time of my discharge. I was there two nights. 

 

The staff were sweethearts. They treated me very well.

 

[maxcorrigan]

6 hours ago, ubonr1971 said:

Im interested in your comment. Actually Ive had the hernia for several weeks now and no issues. I wonder if I can just leave it for a while similar to the way I deal with other health issues. 

The type of hernia i was thinking of is Inguinal hernia an egg shaped lump in the groin area that disappears when i lay down in bed at night for instance, it does'nt hurt at all, and i have never thought about medical treatment, but i'm no doctor this is my experience, google it yourself Inguinal hernia ius very common!

Best of luck! 

 

[Sheryl]

15 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

The type of hernia i was thinking of is Inguinal hernia an egg shaped lump in the groin area that disappears when i lay down in bed at night for instance, it does'nt hurt at all, and i have never thought about medical treatment, but i'm no doctor this is my experience, google it yourself Inguinal hernia ius very common!

Best of luck! 

 

The problem is that these hernias can "strangulate" in which case the blood supply to part if the intestine is cut off. This is a very serious, even life-threatening complication. The risk of it is about 2.5% per year that the hernia goes untreated. (So by the ten year mark cumulative risk is 25% -- significant). For people in otherwise good health these risks well exceed the small risks of a surgical repair.

 

The equation changes if the person has unusual risk factors for surgery.

[maxcorrigan]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The problem is that these hernias can "strangulate" in which case the blood supply to part if the intestine is cut off. This is a very serious, even life-threatening complication. The risk of it is about 2.5% per year that the hernia goes untreated. (So by the ten year mark cumulative risk is 25% -- significant). For people in otherwise good health these risks well exceed the small risks of a surgical repair.

 

The equation changes if the person has unusual risk factors for surgery.

I was just stating my experiance Sheryl as said i'm no doctor thanks for your input though, i assume tthe opener will read your post and act accordingly.

[ubonr1971]

On 6/15/2023 at 6:24 PM, maxcorrigan said:

I was just stating my experiance Sheryl as said i'm no doctor thanks for your input though, i assume tthe opener will read your post and act accordingly.

yes

[PPMMUU]

On 6/15/2023 at 11:11 AM, charliebadenhop said:

Please explain to me what is what-

It seems to me that pretty much every doctor in Thailand spends a considerable amount of their work week working in a public hospital. Is this so, or not?

 

I had shoulder surgery this year, done by a very highly regarded surgeon who works on pro athletes and people with "enough" money, and he works most of the time in a public hospital, and like most if not all doctors here, he also has a part-time private clinic.

 

Please help me understand what goes on!

 

What happens is that working in a public hospital pays unbelievably less than working in a private hospital. Doctors could earn significantly more with much less work if they worked 100% in a private hospital, but many still choose to work in public hospitals for a few reasons. A few of the most common reasons to continue working in a public hospital are: 1) They are teaching doctors at the medical school affiliated with the public hospital, and 2) They want to give back to society (which is highly honorable!).

[scubascuba3]

45 minutes ago, PPMMUU said:

What happens is that working in a public hospital pays unbelievably less than working in a private hospital. Doctors could earn significantly more with much less work if they worked 100% in a private hospital, but many still choose to work in public hospitals for a few reasons. A few of the most common reasons to continue working in a public hospital are: 1) They are teaching doctors at the medical school affiliated with the public hospital, and 2) They want to give back to society (which is highly honorable!).

The best doctors work govt and private, same in UK, choose someone busy with govt hospital ops

[TheLaughingMan]

I know this isnt what you asked but giving you this info just in case its something you want to consider, I flew to Canada to go to the famous Shouldice Hospital Hernia clinic, they DO NOT use mesh so theres less chance of complications.  Heres a link to my review of it last December.  It will cost less than the quoted Thai private hospital fee and is recognised as one of the best in the world for Hernia surgeries, they ONLY do hernias.

 

 

[ubonr1971]

1 hour ago, TheLaughingMan said:

I know this isnt what you asked but giving you this info just in case its something you want to consider, I flew to Canada to go to the famous Shouldice Hospital Hernia clinic, they DO NOT use mesh so theres less chance of complications.  Heres a link to my review of it last December.  It will cost less than the quoted Thai private hospital fee and is recognised as one of the best in the world for Hernia surgeries, they ONLY do hernias.

 

 

Interesting to read your report. Looks like its 50k thb cheaper but have to pay flights all that way and jetlag. I cannot tolerate economy class anymore and thus it would be huge cost to fly to Canada. 

 

Im ok to try the mesh and spend 1 day in hospital and be back at home the next day. My dr who is going to do it only does hernia surgery everyday. 

[bunnydrops]

On 6/14/2023 at 9:30 PM, charliebadenhop said:

Quote-

The secret is to go to their clinic to get a good diagnosis and if you can't afford the private operation fee, go to the public hospital where he works. -

 

Is this really possible? The dr. at his private office names a big price that you don't feel like you can afford, so you go to the public hospital where he works and get the job done for a lot less?!

 

My wife (Thai) has been told several times by doctors at private hospitals that if they can wait, to get the operation done at the public due to it being a lot cheaper.. In a reversal, I had a retinal detachment, the doctor sent me to a private, where he did the operation. The public was backed up months and I needed the operation as soon as possible. The cost wasn't much more.

[ubonr1971]

13 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

My wife (Thai) has been told several times by doctors at private hospitals that if they can wait, to get the operation done at the public due to it being a lot cheaper.. In a reversal, I had a retinal detachment, the doctor sent me to a private, where he did the operation. The public was backed up months and I needed the operation as soon as possible. The cost wasn't much more.

My dr at the private hospital said he can do it at the public but theres a long wait. then he said 'it will be a lot more comfortable here'...