St. Louis Hospital, No Definite Doctor, Time, Price Etc.

[lifemagic]

I posted to the health forum a while back, saying I'm thinking of trying compression hoisery for my (leg) veins, what kind of doc. should I go for, and someone helpfully said 'vascular surgeon'. So, I emailed hospitals in Bangkok, asking the price of basic consultation before treatment (for vascular surgeon). They all replied.

Samitivej: between 1000 and 2000 plus 200 for hospital service charge.

Global Doctor 1500 (?Flat?).

Bangkok Nursing Hospital 'around 1000' plus fees of 200.

Bangkok Nursing Hospital, between 800-1500 per visit.

St. Louis didn't answer, but I read, here and elsewhere, it's half the price of everywhere else for the same thing. So I went over there yesterday.

The receptionist told me, between 500-1000 for vascular surgeon, and took my details, then seemed confused I didn't want to go immeadiately (I want to write down the history etc). Another woman came, booked me in for Tuesday. She said, just come between 9 and 4. I asked, I don't need an appointment? What kind of specialist will it be?

She said, it's a general clinic with general surgeons. She can't say who will be there. I insisted on at least an appointment and she gave me a printed card. It says my name, Tuedsays date. 'None Doctor'. Clinic: Sur. Rem: Follow up. And she wrote in pen 8-4pm. She also said the price depends on the doctor, between 500 and 1000... 'or maybe a little bit more than 1000'.

Today I got two emails from them. One says:

Estimate cost 50,000B-60,000B.We have the doctor Surgeon is

available on monday - saturday at 8am.-noon. For consult with doctor estimate 500b.-

100b. and service charge 200b. for other treatment depend on your symptom and the

doctor

The second says:

Thank you for your email. For consult with the doctor estimate 500-1000baht and service

charge 200 baht.

Best regard

Does this sound OK? I quite liked the place, it was nice inside, nurses smiled and didn't call me a Farang. It wasn't too busy/crowded; I'd feel comfortable going back there and it was convenient transport-wise. I just want to check this is the way it's done, i.e. no specific speciality mentioned, and no definite price. It's basically go there, hope for the best, and complain if they want more than 1200.

[Sheryl]

Moved to the health forum.

The showing up between certain hours without appointment is common at some hospitals (inc St louis). But from the sounds of this, they did not understand your needs and are directing you to the wrong place. It will be a waste of time to see a general surgeon.

If all you want is compression hosiery, no need to see a doctor at all.

If you want to consult a specialist regarding your crculatory problems, need to select the right one. I believe I already suggested a specific dos in your prior thread,.

[lifemagic]

Yes, thank you. And I went there asking for a vascular surgeon, and she thought I said 'plastic', but the second one spoke reasonable English and I described the problem and she seemed to understand. I don't really want to self prescribe as it's in conjunction with other long running stuff and I just want someone qualified (in something) to look at it.

But if it's normal to turn up without an appointment, perhaps I can just find out who it is I'll be seeing, I mean there would be more clarity when I'm there. If it doesn't sound good I'll try elsewhere.

[Sheryl]

From their website, only 1 vascular specialist there and he does not have regular hours.