Planning & Tips on Medical Travel For Bariatric and Plastic Surgery

Bariatric and plastic surgery are life-changing opportunities, ways for people to comprehensively change their outlook, get the support they need and build a healthy future. For many people, medical travel for bariatric surgery and plastic surgery is ideal. With the same level of care and advanced medical support at a fraction of the cost, it simply makes sense to explore these opportunities.

Consider how to plan medical tourism for yourself. With a few tips on medical travel, you may find more confidence in this process.

Know the Statistics on Bariatric Surgery and Medical Travel

Bariatric surgery is a proven method for weight loss with studies indicating people lose, on average 28.4% of their body weight and only regain about 3% after 7 years. More so, in 2018, 250,000 such surgeries were performed in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Consider that an average of 14 million people around the world travel for medical care each year. More so, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that people use medical tourism for several reasons:

• The lower cost
• Recommendations from family and friends
• Quality of care
• Combining various types of procedures together
• Culturally similar provider
• Care is not available to them locally

If you are ready to embrace the experience of medical travel for bariatric or plastic surgery, take into consideration a few tips and strategies for ensuring the process goes well.

Research Where You Get Care First

While medical travel can occur around the world, for those in the US seeking more affordable levels of care, Mexico is a top destination. That’s because, due to its proximity near the US, many of the same procedures, equipment, and processes are used, but costs tend to be a fraction of what they are in the US.

No matter where you travel, verify:

• The type of procedure
• The methods used
• The location's reputation for providing quality care
• Access to emergency medical support when needed
• Verifiable qualifications of surgeons

The more research you do before you have your procedure, the more comfortable you will be moving forward with it.

Plan All Parts of Your Trip

When planning for medical tourism, consider what is included in a medical package purchased and what is not.

• Many locations provide a package that includes in-hospital care and, in some cases, a location to stay close to the hospital for a day or so.
• Determine what transportation options are available to and from the airport and to and from the overnight location to the medical center.
• The organization establishing and issuing the trip should provide answers to all of your questions. If they do not, make sure to ask.

Know How to Spot Red Flags

Medical tourism is an exceptional opportunity to save money and ensure good outcomes, but not all providers are equal. Since you are traveling out of your home country to get care, it is critical to take every step you can to minimize any risks you could face. Watch for these red flags:

• Don’t choose a location where you will not meet with the surgeon. The location should provide an opportunity for you to meet with the surgeon who will perform the procedure. That helps the doctor know your health and ensures you are confident in that provider.
• Avoid providers with surgeons you cannot verify. It is critical to choose a medical provider based on their skills and certifications. Learn which affiliations the plastic surgeon or weight loss surgeon has. Only choose qualified, board-certified surgeons.
• Not providing information on the drugs used. You should know the specific drugs being used in your treatment, including the type of procedures that will be employed. If they do not provide you with information upfront, that could cost you later.

Verify the Details of Any Procedure and Location

Verify the credentials of all professionals that you will be working with throughout this process. You can do this through the use of various organizations as well as a Google search.

• Facilities: Ensure the hospital or medical center has the necessary local accreditations and credentials. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Center and The Joint Commission offer some resources for medical tourists looking to verify this information for out-of-the-country providers.
• Providers themselves: Learn who the professionals are and what type of education and license they hold. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is one way to determine the board certification for many out-of-the-country providers.

Verify Your Travel Health Insurance

In the ideal world, you pay a flat fee for your care and services, and move forward. However, health insurance is a factor in many of these cases. You may wish to purchase supplemental medical insurance coverage that will help to cover the cost of emergency care needs, such as needing to be flow back to the US.

Remember that when medical emergencies occur, you do not have the same access to emergency care services overseas as you would have in the US. You may need to have medical tourist evaluation procedures in place. Also, you may not have the same legal recourses as you do in the US when medical mistakes happen.

Get the Follow-Up Care Scheduled Now

Many bariatric weight loss programs overseas will provide you with some follow-up care, especially on the day of the procedure and the day following it. However, many people will need supportive care in the days after the procedure and for a few weeks after the procedure at home. Make sure you consider:

• When it is safe to fly (your surgeon should offer recommendations)
• What type of follow-up care you need after you get home
• The length of time you need to be off work
• Who can provide follow-up care should you need it at home
• Where to go to get the care you need in an emergency

These medical travel tips for bariatric and plastic surgery patients are just the beginning. Make sure you choose a provider you can trust to help make this process a success.