Hernia surgery in Thailand

[davhend25]

I'm currently scheduled out of the U.S. in three days to Bangkok. My fiancee will be picking me up at Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok. Five days ago I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, reducible and non obstructed. The Urologist who diagnosed referred me to a general surgeon here in Florida. First available appointment is on the 13th, 7 days from now and 4 days after my scheduled flight out. I don't believe this is an emergent condition and because of my situation here, It would be difficult to stay and have the surgery here in the U.S. Accordingly, I will need to seek treatment once in Thailand, most likely sooner rather than later.  I will be staying with my fiancee's family down between Rayong and Chanthaburi. I know that "Bangkok Hospital" has branches in both cities. What is your opinion of either of these hospitals in terms of standard level of care for a hernia operation? I have U.S. based major medical insurance which will reimburse 80% of cost. 

 

Thank you in advance for any advice regarding this question.

 

Best regards,

 

David Hendrix

USA

[Sheryl]

What you are really in need of is a specific surgeon recommendation. Hopefully someone who has had surgery at one of these hospitals can provide.

 

There is no problem with the hospitals per se - adequately equipped, clean faciltiies etc.

[oxo1947]

David  This is Thailand---- you do need to be on the same page as the surgeon, you must make yourself clear on what result you expect.....Think that's simple...its not.

There are many "Mess ups here" I could relay different ones to you--but I will give you just the one...as I know it very well----ME.

 

I talked to the surgeon explained that although I am 70 --I was very active Gym at least 5 days a week--bike ridding weight lifting etc.

He just nodded but didn't give me any feed back on the pro's & con's .....18 years living here , maybe its my fault-but he came well recommended--and he was a good surgeon.

 

The shorten version of the story is that I ended up with probably (Twice) certainly a lot more padding then I needed....... explanation----"you said you active , didn't want it to happen again....now it wont."

So from a guy who had a six pack--I now have a stomach that looks like I drink a six pack...(everyday) & I don't drink.

I just don't have the energy to go back under the knife Dave---and at 70 my looks are not as important as years before.....but it does put extra strain on my back...& other draw backs...gets in the way with sex etc.

 

Your not far from BKK I would talk to sheryl again...narrow something down there--its important that their English is good...................

[Sheryl]

Are you sure your US insurance will pay for this? Usually they do not cover care outside the US other than in emergency (which a hernia repair is not) . Better double-check.

[davhend25]

Thanks, Sheryl, as always for your sound advice. My health insurance is an adjunct retirement policy to Medicare in the U.S. It does, however have a major medical provision for Virginia retirees either traveling or residing outside of the U.S. The coverage in the annual handbook looks standard and does not exclude non-emergency services. I did call their customer service line a few weeks ago and asked specifically about hernia and cataract surgery and whether or not they would be covered. No one could give me an answer beyond what was stated in the member handbook. I have a general appointment to see someone at Bangkok Hospital- Chanthaburi tomorrow morning, but after reading a post on this site that a man was charged 350,000 baht for a hernia operation, I'm not going to keep the appointment. I don't think they charge that much in the U.S. for a simple outpatient procedure like hernia surgery. I prefer a private hospital, but that is clearly too much money, and until I have better confidence in my own insurance covering this, I'm going the conservative route and will do more research on costs. Worst case, I'll fly back home in a few months and have it done there at no cost to me. DH

[Sheryl]

That price must be for laparoscopic (and even for that, is high)

 

It is not usually a day surgery in Thailand, even when done laparoscopically. And if you made a proce inquery by email the rate quoted probably included the most expensiove "VIP" suite for at least 2 nights...that tends to be what they do when they get an email inquery, it goes to the marketing people.

 

My nephew had an inguinal hernia repair at St Louis Hospital in Bangkok with this doctor: Dr. Narongsak Jongsiri. Under 100,000 baht but that was an open procedure, laparascopic would probably be about double.

 

Inguinal hernia repair is an elective procedure and there is no rush on it. The risk of strangulation (which is the reason for repairing it) is only about 1%.

[rodknock]

i had epigastric hernia surgery this last jan. was in hospital 6 days. this was my 3rd. epigastric hernia since 1986.

total cost of operation including 2months of seeing gastric doc. and after care. had to have an external blood bottle for 5weeks.

340,000baht.