Bangkok Private Hospital Heart Surgery

[johnmcc6]

A good mate of mine is booked into Bangkok Private for a heart operation. As he in not the wealthiest person he has decided to go there for a quoted fee of $16,000 rather than pay the $50,000.00 plus it would cost here in OZ . The web site for the hospital has lots of testimonials for various cosmetic operations but apparently none for heart surgery. Any comments about the hospital and it's track record would be much appreciated. They have told him he should be ready to go home in two weeks. Is this reasonable??? He is a frequent visitor to Thailand and loves the place so he knows what to expect from the LOS otherwise.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Which "private" hospital, there's a host of them: Bangkok Private Hospitals

Mac

[garyh]

Surely he get it for free in Australia.

[johnmcc6]

The name is Bangkok private hospital. I will check further to be sure.

Which "private" hospital, there's a host of them: Bangkok Private Hospitals

Mac

[johnmcc6]

In Australia if you do not have private insurance you must pay...however if you are a public patient with no money it is free but you may have to wait so long in line you could be dead. My friend is a self funded retired person . That means he has only free basic consultation services. He does not qualify for a pension. Emergency surgery can be free but if you elect to have an operation not considered an emergency you must pay.

Surely he get it for free in Australia.

[garyh]

In Australia if you do not have private insurance you must pay...however if you are a public patient with no money it is free but you may have to wait so long in line you could be dead. My friend is a self funded retired person . That means he has only free basic consultation services. He does not qualify for a pension. Emergency surgery can be free but if you elect to have an operation not considered an emergency you must pay.

Surely he get it for free in Australia.

Free health care in Australia is not means tested, I would have thought a life threatening heart problem would not be put on a waiting list.

[johnmcc6]

He was quoted $5000.00 for the angiogram alone ...$3000.00 for doctor and $5000.00 for hospital. He was given all the diagnosis from specialists etc but because he is not dying just yet it is considered elective surgury and he must get in line. Same with dentists...no money...get in line and if it is killing you pull it out...if you need anything else ...get in line.

In Australia if you do not have private insurance you must pay...however if you are a public patient with no money it is free but you may have to wait so long in line you could be dead. My friend is a self funded retired person . That means he has only free basic consultation services. He does not qualify for a pension. Emergency surgery can be free but if you elect to have an operation not considered an emergency you must pay.

Surely he get it for free in Australia.

Free health care in Australia is not means tested, I would have thought a life threatening heart problem would not be put on a waiting list.

[chiang mai]

He was quoted $5000.00 for the angiogram alone ...$3000.00 for doctor and $5000.00 for hospital. He was given all the diagnosis from specialists etc but because he is not dying just yet it is considered elective surgury and he must get in line. Same with dentists...no money...get in line and if it is killing you pull it out...if you need anything else ...get in line.

In Australia if you do not have private insurance you must pay...however if you are a public patient with no money it is free but you may have to wait so long in line you could be dead. My friend is a self funded retired person . That means he has only free basic consultation services. He does not qualify for a pension. Emergency surgery can be free but if you elect to have an operation not considered an emergency you must pay.

Surely he get it for free in Australia.

Free health care in Australia is not means tested, I would have thought a life threatening heart problem would not be put on a waiting list.

It's difficult to answer your question without knowing which private hospital since there are many. But at Bumrungrad for example, one of I would guess the top four hospitals around, an angiogram will cost around baht 30,000, angioplasty will be anywhere in a range from baht 150,000 to 450,000 based on a number of variables. Is Bumrungrad good, yes excellent, the Cardiologists there perform angiograms and angioplasty on a daily basis hence much practise and experience.

[Camelot]

Could the OP be referring to Piyavate Hospital?

It has many foreign patients and a good reputation, although I haven't had any personal experience.

[Camelot]

Just checked. Piyavate Hospital also specialises in Cardiology. I think that's the one.

[johnmcc6]

[

Bangkok private heart hospital....

uote name=Thanyaburi Mac' date='2010-06-14 16:13' timestamp='1276495991' post='3685728]

Which "private" hospital, there's a host of them: Bangkok Private Hospitals

Mac

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Or, perhaps, here: Bangkok Heart Hospital

The heart center is the new facility for Bangkok Hospital, there off of Soi Soonvijai. Home - Bangkok Hospital

Mac

[Sheryl]

You do need to provide a more exact name for the hospital. It sounds like he may be going through a broker to arrange this and to have not been given the exact name of the hospital.

More importantly though you need to tell us the name of the surgeon.

For what he is paying he can and should hand pick a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with board certification in cardiac surgery in a western country.

The major private hspitals in Bangkok have a function on their website which eneblaes you to review doctor qualifications by specialty.

Do NOT rely on the hospital to refer you to a surgeon. That will yield referral to whomever is least busy...which will not be the best. Don't rely on a broker or medical tourism company to do it, either. Take 30 minutes or so to do some research. It is, quite literally, a life and death matter.

If you do a search on this forum you will find some first hand recommendations for cardiac surgeons at various private hospitals in Bkk.

[johnmcc6]

Thank you all for your input...it is Bangkok private heart hospital....I will get the name of the doctor as well. We will certainly look at the qualifications

site you mentioned. He is going over in August . Thanks to your suggestions I am sure he will get the right surgeon.

His son by the way is a doctor here in OZ .Not a specialist though. And he is not using a broker. He has been to Thailand several times and knows his way around but mainly with time spent in Chiang Mai.

You do need to provide a more exact name for the hospital. It sounds like he may be going through a broker to arrange this and to have not been given the exact name of the hospital.

More importantly though you need to tell us the name of the surgeon.

For what he is paying he can and should hand pick a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with board certification in cardiac surgery in a western country.

The major private hspitals in Bangkok have a function on their website which eneblaes you to review doctor qualifications by specialty.

Do NOT rely on the hospital to refer you to a surgeon. That will yield referral to whomever is least busy...which will not be the best. Don't rely on a broker or medical tourism company to do it, either. Take 30 minutes or so to do some research. It is, quite literally, a life and death matter.

If you do a search on this forum you will find some first hand recommendations for cardiac surgeons at various private hospitals in Bkk.

[lopburi3]

There is no such hospital that I have ever heard of in Bangkok or Thailand. I suspect he means the Bangkok Heart Hospital which opened about a year or so ago and is part of the Bangkok Hospital Group. It is a new dedicated building for heart patients. The hospital itself is one of the largest and most expensive.

Bangkok Heart Hospital

[simonc]

You do need to provide a more exact name for the hospital. It sounds like he may be going through a broker to arrange this and to have not been given the exact name of the hospital.

More importantly though you need to tell us the name of the surgeon.

For what he is paying he can and should hand pick a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with board certification in cardiac surgery in a western country.

The major private hspitals in Bangkok have a function on their website which eneblaes you to review doctor qualifications by specialty.

Do NOT rely on the hospital to refer you to a surgeon. That will yield referral to whomever is least busy...which will not be the best. Don't rely on a broker or medical tourism company to do it, either. Take 30 minutes or so to do some research. It is, quite literally, a life and death matter.

If you do a search on this forum you will find some first hand recommendations for cardiac surgeons at various private hospitals in Bkk.

Have a look at http://www.medeguide...iology_Thailand as it should help you with your research on finding the right doctor.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

You do need to provide a more exact name for the hospital. It sounds like he may be going through a broker to arrange this and to have not been given the exact name of the hospital.

More importantly though you need to tell us the name of the surgeon.

For what he is paying he can and should hand pick a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with board certification in cardiac surgery in a western country.

The major private hspitals in Bangkok have a function on their website which eneblaes you to review doctor qualifications by specialty.

Do NOT rely on the hospital to refer you to a surgeon. That will yield referral to whomever is least busy...which will not be the best. Don't rely on a broker or medical tourism company to do it, either. Take 30 minutes or so to do some research. It is, quite literally, a life and death matter.

If you do a search on this forum you will find some first hand recommendations for cardiac surgeons at various private hospitals in Bkk.

Have a look at http://www.medeguide...iology_Thailand as it should help you with your research on finding the right doctor.

Try here: http://www.medeguide.com/Destination.aspx

A couple of the costs for procedures mentioned that I'm familiar with look high.

Mac

[johnmcc6]

Hi Mac,

Do you mean the costs in Australia or Thailand? For my friend $16,000.00 Australian is very economical compared to here. If the hospital is as stated previously new and perhaps the most expensive it may seem high priced compared to others. They include a total of two weeks for the operation and a weeks recovery. Can one actually go home after two weeks??? A cousin of mine was sore for a couple of months. Then again I guess it depends on just what amount of surgery is needed. In any case he is booked in for September. I will get his surgeons name posted if anyone may have heard of him. Thanks for your help.

You do need to provide a more exact name for the hospital. It sounds like he may be going through a broker to arrange this and to have not been given the exact name of the hospital.

More importantly though you need to tell us the name of the surgeon.

For what he is paying he can and should hand pick a highly experienced cardiac surgeon with board certification in cardiac surgery in a western country.

The major private hspitals in Bangkok have a function on their website which eneblaes you to review doctor qualifications by specialty.

Do NOT rely on the hospital to refer you to a surgeon. That will yield referral to whomever is least busy...which will not be the best. Don't rely on a broker or medical tourism company to do it, either. Take 30 minutes or so to do some research. It is, quite literally, a life and death matter.

If you do a search on this forum you will find some first hand recommendations for cardiac surgeons at various private hospitals in Bkk.

Have a look at http://www.medeguide...iology_Thailand as it should help you with your research on finding the right doctor.

Try here: http://www.medeguide...estination.aspx

A couple of the costs for procedures mentioned that I'm familiar with look high.

Mac

[Sheryl]

If the hospital is as stated previously new and perhaps the most expensive it may seem high priced compared to others. They include a total of two weeks for the operation and a weeks recovery. Can one actually go home after two weeks??? A cousin of mine was sore for a couple of months. Then again I guess it depends on just what amount of surgery is needed. In any case he is booked in for September. I will get his surgeons name posted if anyone may have heard of him. Thanks for your help.

As has been stated several times, there is no hospital, new or otherwise, called "Bangkok Private Hospital". !!!

There are also no new hospitals to my knowledge that have the capacity for cardiac surgery.

Either your friend has not been given the name of the hospital or has gotten it wrong, hopefully the latter.

As for flying after two weeks, yes, if all goes well without unusual complications, should be possible. In my experience there is actually much less pain after cardiac surgery than after abdominal surgery. Most people are able to get out of bed the next day and are walking (gingerly, but walking) a day after that. This is, of course, assuming no complications. I have actually known people to fly after less than a week. Requesting a wheelchair at both departure and arrival will help as the distances one walks in airports can be considerable. It will also usually minimize time through immigrations and customs.

[Naam]

Hi Mac,

Do you mean the costs in Australia or Thailand? For my friend $16,000.00 Australian is very economical compared to here. If the hospital is as stated previously new and perhaps the most expensive it may seem high priced compared to others. They include a total of two weeks for the operation and a weeks recovery. Can one actually go home after two weeks??? A cousin of mine was sore for a couple of months. Then again I guess it depends on just what amount of surgery is needed. In any case he is booked in for September. I will get his surgeons name posted if anyone may have heard of him. Thanks for your help.

end of 2008 i had open heart surgery in Germany, four coronary bypasses and one aorta bypass. was in the hospital exactly seven days including two days in ICU and spend another two weeks in a rehab center where progress/results were monitored.

an american friend of mine had a similar operation in the U.S. and was sent home after six days without the suggestion of a rehab center.

addendum: total cost surgery and heart clinic €UR 42,000, rehab center €UR 7,500 (at that time AU-Dollars ~98,000, today AU-Dollars ~70,000).

"If the hospital is as stated previously new and perhaps the most expensive it may seem high priced compared to others."

this is not at all expensive but from what i recall an absolutely low price. the famous PyaThai Hospital (spelling?) in Bangkok had a similar price tag like my german heart center in Munich.

Edited June 19, 2010 by Naam

[Naam]

As for flying after two weeks, yes, if all goes well without unusual complications, should be possible. In my experience there is actually much less pain after cardiac surgery than after abdominal surgery. Most people are able to get out of bed the next day and are walking (gingerly, but walking) a day after that. This is, of course, assuming no complications. I have actually known people to fly after less than a week. Requesting a wheelchair at both departure and arrival will help as the distances one walks in airports can be considerable. It will also usually minimize time through immigrations and customs.

no problem at all with pain but whole body extremely weak. i had to do everything in slow motion (putting on my socks took at least two minutes). quite bothering are the following 2-3 months when one can only sleep on the back till the sawed through bones are completely healed as any turn to either side hurts that one wakes up.

[johnmcc6]

the name of the hospital is Bangkok Hospital and is located at soi soonviji 7

new petchaburi road bangkok.....the doctors name is kosin thupvong at the vascular centre. anyone know of it ? Thanks for all your inputs...

As for flying after two weeks, yes, if all goes well without unusual complications, should be possible. In my experience there is actually much less pain after cardiac surgery than after abdominal surgery. Most people are able to get out of bed the next day and are walking (gingerly, but walking) a day after that. This is, of course, assuming no complications. I have actually known people to fly after less than a week. Requesting a wheelchair at both departure and arrival will help as the distances one walks in airports can be considerable. It will also usually minimize time through immigrations and customs.

no problem at all with pain but whole body extremely weak. i had to do everything in slow motion (putting on my socks took at least two minutes). quite bothering are the following 2-3 months when one can only sleep on the back till the sawed through bones are completely healed as any turn to either side hurts that one wakes up.

[d2g]

I had a heart attack 5 yrs ago in Pattaya. I was taken to Bangkok Pattaya hospital. After stabilization I was transferred to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok at my insistence.

At Bumrungrad I had a 4 way cardiac bypass operation.

I consider Bangkok hospital barely adequate for emergency treatment only.

I consider Bumrungrad Hospital to be outstanding in all categories.

Bumrungrad has been inspected, passed and is certified by the U.S.A. professional hospital accrediting aganency.

Check the Bumrungrad hospital websites for Dr. resumes, cost estimates, etc.

[lopburi3]

Actually Bangkok Hospital is the largest group of top line hospitals in Thailand and fully qualified to treat to international standards. I expect the facility used will be Bangkok Heart Hospital which is a dedicated building and opened within the last several years.

A person several doors down was taken there last year and they saved his life but cost was over 1 million baht. They are not considered inexpensive. For scheduled heart surgery have heard reports from Thai using Phyathai 2 Hospital being reasonable priced.

The above post refers to a regional hospital and a Bangkok located hospital. Bangkok is the hospital center for Thailand and where the best facilities will be located.

[FBN]

There are three cardio surgical teams in Thailand with good skills and reputations; one based at Bangkok Heart Hospital (also does cardiac surgery at Samitivej); Bumrungrad and Siriraj University hospital.

Not only the surgeon is important, also the anaesthesiologist and CCU or ICU for post surgical care.

At this level, surgeons are usually superspecialised iow will do valve surgery, pediatric cardiology or bypass surgery etc.

Costs will obviously vary by specific procedure required but the private hospitals such as Bumrungrad will be able to give a quote based on the recommendations from the surgeon.

The Bumrungrad team is very good...

[Sheryl]

This is the Bangkok Heart Hospital, part iof Bangkok Hospital. It is not new, but it is a solid reputable hospital with execellent facilities for cardiac surgery.

The negative feedback in post #43 refers to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, not Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. Although owned by the same parent company, there is a world of difference.

Dr. Kosin Thupvong trained in the US and until recently lived and practiced there; he is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracoic Surgery. I think he has returned to Thailand quite recently, he is not yet shown on the Bangkok Hospital website. That's as much as I know. Since he appears to have returned to Thailand very recently, may not be any TV members with experience with him.

[Sheryl]

This is the Bangkok Heart Hospital, part iof Bangkok Hospital. It is not new, but it is a solid reputable hospital with execellent facilities for cardiac surgery.

The negative feedback in post #43 refers to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, not Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. Although owned by the same parent company, there is a world of difference.

Dr. Kosin Thupvong trained in the US and until recently lived and practiced there; he is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracoic Surgery. I think he has returned to Thailand quite recently, he is not yet shown on the Bangkok Hospital website. That's as much as I know. Since he appears to have returned to Thailand very recently, may not be any TV members with experience with him.

[lopburi3]

The grand opening ceremony of Bangkok Heart Hospital on August 26, 2005

Perhaps it is my old age but to me 2005 is a new hospital.

[johnmcc6]

Thanks Sheryl..and everyone else for you help...looks like my good mate is in good hands..cheers,

john

This is the Bangkok Heart Hospital, part iof Bangkok Hospital. It is not new, but it is a solid reputable hospital with execellent facilities for cardiac surgery.

The negative feedback in post #43 refers to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, not Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. Although owned by the same parent company, there is a world of difference.

Dr. Kosin Thupvong trained in the US and until recently lived and practiced there; he is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracoic Surgery. I think he has returned to Thailand quite recently, he is not yet shown on the Bangkok Hospital website. That's as much as I know. Since he appears to have returned to Thailand very recently, may not be any TV members with experience with him.