Colonoscopy: St. Louis, MedPark or Bangkok Hospital?

[BusyB]

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Sorry but something got lost in translation. I assure you, neither of those hospitals, nor any other private hospital in Thailand, does a colonoscopy for only 6K.

 

That is what it costs at govevernment hospitals.

Is there any reason one should avoid government hospitals for this particular check-up?

[BusyB]

25 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

I had mine done back home last year WITHOUT sedation as I couldnt get a ride home

 

that was stg i wont soon forget......life lesson that day

My first time I tried without sedation (12 years ago). The doctor got as far as the first bend before it became unbearable. We started over after I got sedated 555. It was the Michael Jackson drug, propofol. KO'd me like a hammer; euphoric, foolish and dozy for a couple of hours or so after waking less than 30 minutes later.

 

[Sheryl]

14 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Is there any reason one should avoid government hospitals for this particular check-up?

Just time, convenience, communication. Also difficult in getting it done - lower level govt hospitals often cannot do it, would usually need to be a tertiary level hospital  , and you may find they don't do it on demand nor for routine screening.Some exceptions to that especially in major cities. In Bangkok, I would recommend Chulabhorn.

 

Experience of the operator is also a concern unless it is arranged directly with a senior doctor via after hours/special clinic. This is really not something you want a student or resident in training doing on you, both for reasons of safety and also accuracy of results.  Contrary to what some havew posted in this thread, this is not a simple thing that anyone can do. A lot more involved than simply "sticking a tube up there". Handling an endoscope and  passing it safely through curves and junctions in the intestine takes skill and experience, and understanding what one is seeing along the way takes even more.

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Is there any reason one should avoid government hospitals for this particular check-up?

Bowel cleaning at the government hospital I tried to use was a decidedly unpleasant experience (but this was for cancer and Iliad conduit urostomy).   Also had extreme pain from cystoscopy by doctor in training.  Cleaning involved weekend in hospital eating special "food" and taking serious side effect medications (passed out trying to get to toilet to vomit one drug and others reported same happening to them).  Getting cleared by just about every doctor in hospital (including eye tests).  Nurses who only seemed interested in your joining with daily group exercise.  Open enema (more than 6) on table with view to all ward and visitors.  And then me on freezing OR table almost an hour waiting waiting for anesthesiologist to finish a conference call only to be told operation canceled due no ICU room available.  And then hours trying to get information on future - only to be told would be another queue of about 4 months wait.  Departed and had operation few days later at a top private hospital.  And still around 7 years later.

[BusyB]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Just time, convenience, communication. Also difficult in getting it done - lower level govt hospitals often cannot do it, would usually need to be a tertiary level hospital  , and you may find they don't do it on demand nor for routine screening.Some exceptions to that especially in major cities. In Bangkok, I would recommend Chulabhorn.

 

Experience of the operator is also a concern unless it is arranged directly with a senior doctor via after hours/special clinic. This is really not something you want a student or resident in training doing on you, both for reasons of safety and also accuracy of results.  Contrary to what some havew posted in this thread, this is not a simple thing that anyone can do. A lot more involved than simply "sticking a tube up there". Handling an endoscope and  passing it safely through curves and junctions in the intestine takes skill and experience, and understanding what one is seeing along the way takes even more.

Thanks for such an exhaustive explanation ????

 

My question was just on the off chance I'd be in country when it's time for the next one. Thanks.

 

(I've had the procedure twice in Germany. Done excellently by specialists. Free of charge - aside from my monthly health contributions.)

[BusyB]

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

Bowel cleaning at the government hospital I tried to use was a decidedly unpleasant experience (but this was for cancer and Iliad conduit urostomy).   Also had extreme pain from cystoscopy by doctor in training.  Cleaning involved weekend in hospital eating special "food" and taking serious side effect medications (passed out trying to get to toilet to vomit one drug and others reported same happening to them).  Getting cleared by just about every doctor in hospital (including eye tests).  Nurses who only seemed interested in your joining with daily group exercise.  Open enema (more than 6) on table with view to all ward and visitors.  And then me on freezing OR table almost an hour waiting waiting for anesthesiologist to finish a conference call only to be told operation canceled due no ICU room available.  And then hours trying to get information on future - only to be told would be another queue of about 4 months wait.  Departed and had operation few days later at a top private hospital.  And still around 7 years later.

Sounds like Solzhenitzyn's Cancer Ward.

 

I had noticed that you disappeared from sight for a few years and still don't post often so thanks for the detailed answer - I think you used to be active on visa matters? I hope it's all over now. All the best.

[lopburi3]

1 minute ago, BusyB said:

Sounds like Solzhenitzyn's Cancer Ward.

 

I had noticed that you disappeared from sight for a few years and still don't post often so thanks for the detailed answer - I think you used to be active on visa matters? I hope it's all over now. All the best.

Hate to bad mouth but my experience was not the good type that most people seem to have received from government facilities. 

 

I felt Ubonjoe was doing a great job with visas so tried not to post there much and did not read everything so lost most qualification for posting, but continued to read forum and post when I though it might be helpful - am no expert on anything so posts are varied.  

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, BusyB said:

Thanks for such an exhaustive explanation ????

 

My question was just on the off chance I'd be in country when it's time for the next one. Thanks.

 

(I've had the procedure twice in Germany. Done excellently by specialists. Free of charge - aside from my monthly health contributions.)

Yes, I get mine in the US under Medicare. Though I had it done once in Thailand before I became eligible for Medicare.

[BusyB]

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Hate to bad mouth but my experience was not the good type that most people seem to have received from government facilities. 

 

I felt Ubonjoe was doing a great job with visas so tried not to post there much and did not read everything so lost most qualification for posting, but continued to read forum and post when I though it might be helpful - am no expert on anything so posts are varied.  

Your experience is your experience.

 

I always thought you were in Joe's league. Sadly missed.

 

Edited October 3, 2023 by BusyB

[Captor]

12 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

I had mine done back home last year WITHOUT sedation as I couldnt get a ride home

 

that was stg i wont soon forget......life lesson that day

I did not get sedation too back in Sweden. Was never asked if I want or not. Look like they dont get it there.

[gearbox]

On 10/3/2023 at 6:24 PM, Tropposurfer said:

I can't speak for those three.

 

BUT ...

I have had 3 at BNH with superb care and safe service.

The first 2 were paid in cash at about 750 AUD total, the third was on my wiz-bang super-duper medical insurance so paid in full through the fund.

 

Its important to chose the safest hospital you can afford as colonoscopies hold some risk. The bowel is relatively soft tissue and if the camera is not manoeuvred safely can perforate the bowel.

So, a clinician with impeccable credentials is paramount.

Also you need to have someone escort you home just in case you are a bit flakey after the sedative-meds.

This sounds very reasonable, did you have any polyps removed?

 

I had one today in Sydney, in one of the Ramsay Health care private hospitals, the only significant expense was paying $500 AUD  excess for my Medibank Private policy. Full anaesthesia and polyps removed.

 

The receptionist asked me to view and acknowledge various hospital charges there,  eye popping ICU stay per day, 5180 AUD, that's around 120k baht.

[Italian guy]

I have an appointment for a colonoscopy plus gastroscopy at Piyamaharajkarun Hospital (Siriraj) in a couple of weeks. As an estimate I've got 44000-50000 Baht all included. There are possible extras like 12000 for a biopsy. I don't remember the price for polyp removal... I thought that hospital would be cheaper, since it's part of Siriraj but after reading this thread I'm not so sure anymore. Any recommendations? Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Thanawat? I've had a very positive impression as he listened very carefully to all I had to say and scrupulously explained everything to me but that's all I know.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Italian guy said:

I have an appointment for a colonoscopy plus gastroscopy at Piyamaharajkarun Hospital (Siriraj) in a couple of weeks. As an estimate I've got 44000-50000 Baht all included. There are possible extras like 12000 for a biopsy. I don't remember the price for polyp removal... I thought that hospital would be cheaper, since it's part of Siriraj but after reading this thread I'm not so sure anymore. Any recommendations? Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Thanawat? I've had a very positive impression as he listened very carefully to all I had to say and scrupulously explained everything to me but that's all I know.

Prof. Tanawat Geeratragool is well qualified and has published widely in international journals.

 

Piyamaharajkarun is affiliated with Siriraj but is their private wing and they pretty well peg their prices to be just a little less than places like Bumrungrad. 

[Italian guy]

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Prof. Tanawat Geeratragool is well qualified and has published widely in international journals.

 

Piyamaharajkarun is affiliated with Siriraj but is their private wing and they pretty well peg their prices to be just a little less than places like Bumrungrad. 

Well, it's good to know I'm in good hands at least. I actually wanted to make an appointment with Prof. Smochai Leelakusolvong but the first available date was in February 2024. I've also asked about Assist. Prof. Uayporn Kaosombatwattana but I'd have to wait until December. Any thoughts about Ramathibodi or Chula or Bhumibol hospitals? You seem to know really a lot!

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Italian guy said:

Well, it's good to know I'm in good hands at least. I actually wanted to make an appointment with Prof. Smochai Leelakusolvong but the first available date was in February 2024. I've also asked about Assist. Prof. Uayporn Kaosombatwattana but I'd have to wait until December. Any thoughts about Ramathibodi or Chula or Bhumibol hospitals? You seem to know really a lot!

Is this for routine screening or a specific problem  (If so,  what )

[Italian guy]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Is this for routine screening or a specific problem  (If so,  what )

It is likely a post infectious irritabile bowel syndrome as a result of an acute gastroenteritis I had more than 8 months ago which I've never fully recovered from. But as I was told by Dr Thanawat I need colonoscopy and gastroscopy to rule out other possibilities (Crohn disease, bowel cancer, or other). 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Italian guy said:

It is likely a post infectious irritabile bowel syndrome as a result of an acute gastroenteritis I had more than 8 months ago which I've never fully recovered from. But as I was told by Dr Thanawat I need colonoscopy and gastroscopy to rule out other possibilities (Crohn disease, bowel cancer, or other). 

In a case like this I suggest you follow through with Prof  Tanawat.

 

The various govetnment hospitals you asked sbout would entail long wsits, red tape. The  inexpensive public channel would not allow for choice of doctor and care would be provided by residents/interns in training. You'd have to start over from scratch with consultation etc.

 

 

[Italian guy]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

In a case like this I suggest you follow through with Prof  Tanawat.

 

The various govetnment hospitals you asked sbout would entail long wsits, red tape. The  inexpensive public channel would not allow for choice of doctor and care would be provided by residents/interns in training. You'd have to start over from scratch with consultation etc.

 

 

Thank you, really appreciated!

[oldcpu]

My Thai wife was curious about MedPark hospital in Bangkok, so (last month) she went there for her routine (once every 5 years) colonoscopy, and dragged me along for me to go for my annual medical.

 

In MedPark she had to show up early in the morning (around 9am), where she was assigned a hospital room (with an 'in-the-room' toilet), she was provided the medicine, and did the preparatory 'cleaning' before the colonoscopy.  At around 3pm on the day, they conducted the colonoscopy.  She had them put her to sleep for this, and so I showed up at her room at around 6pm (where I completed my annual medical in MedPark hours prior).  

 

This is a luxurious hospital, with incredible views of Bangkok and relatively luxurious waiting areas.   Its also very expensive.  I brought my laptop PC with me, and given the luxurious waiting areas, I was able to use my laptop PC in reasonable comfort while waiting for my wife.

 

For her colonoscopy, the actual costs were
* Colonoscopy : 23,100 THB (believe it or not - this was a promotion price !! (its already relatively expensive))
* Lab Pathologists fee : 600 THB (my wife had some polops that were snipped)
* Physician fee (surgery and procedures): 1,000 THB
* Laboratory - GI biopsy : 1,900 THB
* Medical supplies : 2,225 THB
... Where the above all added up to 28,825 THB ( ~725-euro or ~$785 US$).

 

A friend of mine in Germany noted it cost him 1/2 that price in Germany, also including some polops snipped and tested.  He did thou have to do the preparation at home, the night before ... where (in my experience) on the trip from home to the hospital - one is always worried one could have to go to the toilet while traveling and not be able to make it to a toilet in time.

 

Fortunately, for my wife and myself, our (expensive) medical health insurance paid for the all medical expenses.

 

We were out of pocket for the air fare to/from Phuket, and for the accommodations in Bangkok, as we could have much easier (and for a less expensive outlay of money) stayed in Phuket and conducted such procedures in Phuket. 

 

But my wife also took the opportunity to visit friends in Bangkok (staying a few extra nights), do some shopping (which she loves).  As I have posted elsewhere, a happy wife is a happy life (and she was happy), so this worked out to be a fun travel in the end.

 

And my wife did get to checkout "MedPark" hospital, where she was VERY KEEN to see the hospital first hand.

 

Edited June 21 by oldcpu