The Stanley Rubenti Medical Tourism Blog

Head to Brazil for a Nip and Tuck

How Much Does Abdominplasty Cost in Brazil?

The current recession is putting a hold on the number of cosmetic procedures in the U.S. The $10 billion U.S. plastic surgery market had a 9 percent slowdown, the first since 2004. As the economy puts a damper on bank accounts and luxury budgets, major cosmetic surgery such as liposuction, abdominplasty and breast augmentations are slowing down in the U.S.

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Head to Brazil for a Nip and Tuck

How Much Does Abdominplasty Cost in Brazil?

bangkok phuket thailand medical tourism cosmetic surgery-12.jpg

The current recession is putting a hold on the number of cosmetic procedures in the U.S. The $10 billion U.S. plastic surgery market had a 9 percent slowdown, the first since 2004. As the economy puts a damper on bank accounts and luxury budgets, major cosmetic surgery such as liposuction, abdominplasty and breast augmentations are slowing down in the U.S.

Medical tourism however, which is predicted to turn into a $100 billion international industry by 2012 with more than 780 million people seeking health care abroad, is where an increasing number of people are turning for affordable, but high quality care. Cosmetic surgery prices for abdominplasty in the U.S. generally run anywhere between $4,000 and $20,000. But pre-operative and post-operative care, facility fees, anesthesia, and medications should be taken into consideration for surgery costs. Cosmetic surgery prices for abdominplasty in Brazil however are priced closer to $1,880, offering an affordable option for medical tourists who might be feeling the pinch during the recession.

Are Health Vacations in Brazil Safe?

Medical tourism is becoming a great way to save a significant amount of money, while enjoying the experience of different countries and cultures for half the price. But are some health vacations too good to be true? And at what cost? An article in the New York Daily News, might give patients cause for concern. No matter what the risks involve, however, medical tourism will continue to flourish in the coming years as patients around the globe search for affordable, safe, and high quality procedures, both elective and life-saving.

Bargain Shopping for Low Cosmetic Surgery Prices

Searching for low cosmetic surgery prices is usually the hardest part of the search. With millions of potential websites available, it usually comes down to the finer points of who to trust and where to go. You can use Healism's testimonials, forums, pricing guide, and facility finder to get started on your search. Although medical tourism can be safe, enjoyable, and successful, it pays to do a lot of homework. Travel entails risk. Medical procedures entail risk. Combining the two together requires more upfront research on your part. Done correctly, however, you can join the growing millions who enjoyed their experiences abroad and who can't wait to hop back on a plane for even more adventure and beauty-enhancing procedures.

Get a Winning Smile with Dental Veneers

Are Dental Veneers the Right Choice?

Dental veneers are becoming an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery procedure for those who want to improve their smiles. During the procedure, practitioners bond ceramic or porcelain material to the front surface of the anterior tooth to cover up discoloured, worn, or chipped teeth. However, even though dental veneers have the advantage of being translucent which enables them to mimic the light handling characteristics of dental enamel, they also have their disadvantages, which makes them not suitable for all patients.

One such disadvantage is the fact that they are prone to breaking off, which in most cases forces the patient into another trip to the dentist where he or she has to endure the cost of having another veneer made. Not only this, but extra time is needed for the new dental veneer to be fabricated and finally bonded back into place.

However, the world of dental cosmetic surgery is a vast arena, which requires thorough research before deciding on what fits the patient’s needs. There are nonetheless many sites which are designed to help dental patients choose what is right for them.

"Medical Tourism not Healthy"

If, however, dental veneers are indeed the right choice, a popular and ever increasing medical tourist destination to visit is India; a destination with a strong reputation for world class quality in varies dental procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, and dental crowns. According to The Peninsula, in 2007, there were 450,000 medical tourists being treated at Indian hospitals, compared to 10,000 at the start of the millennium.

However, according to The Star, "overall quality of healthcare in [India] will suffer if medical tourism is allowed to sap medical staff in public hospitals." Professor Trude Bennett added "there must be some guiding principles and not just wealth creation."

Medical Tourism Hub in India

Whether or not medical tourism will begin to see a decline in the number of foreign patients travelling to India for cosmetic surgery or dental surgery is not known. But India’s healthcare industry is expected to grow to nearly $40 billion by 2012 by some estimates. Not only that, but India’s hospitals plan to recruit 30,000 people by 2012 in a bid to beat the financial crisis, continuing India’s health and tourism markets growth. If these predictions are true, affordable health will continue to be widely available to medical tourists in India saving millions of dollars for Americas, as they opt for dental veneers in India’s medical tourism hub.

Uncover Your Inner Self in Thailand

Sex Reassignment Surgery in Thailand

Thailand is renowned for its affordable cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, attracting men and women from around the world every year to go under the knife. One particular surgery that is growing in fame is Thailand's increasingly popular sex reassignment surgery. In Thailand female to male surgery or FtM cosmetic surgery prices vary from $9,500 to $10,000 for a metoidoplasty, whereas a male to female surgery or MtF costs $6,500. Medical tourism is providing potential patients with affordable options to change their sex. As one of the top regional destinations for medical tourists, Thailand offers its patients high-tech hospitals and a reputation for quality care.

Looking for the Right Package When it Comes to Sex Reassignment Surgery

When it comes to sex reassignment surgery, there are many options to include when considering a "complete package." Female to male surgery often includes a mastectomy, which helps to reshape the female body to resemble that of a man’s. In addition, many patients opt for prosthetic male genitalia through phalloplasty. Male to female surgery, on the other hand, includes getting a voice change, Adam’s apple shaving, penile skin inversion, labiaplasty, and a mandibular angle reduction.

Medical Tourism in Thailand

For the last ten years, Asia has been a popular medical tourist destination for patients looking for affordable treatments. Thailand in particular has benefited from this massive influx of travellers in search of specialized procedures. In an article on Reuter’s, Asia’s medical tourism market generated $3.4 billion in 2007 from the 2.9 million people who travelled to the region for medical, cosmetic, and dental surgery.

A more recent article from Travel Daily News, has consulted a study made by Deloitte Consulting in 2008 estimating that medical tourists to Asia (Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia), will reach 10 million by 2012. The reason for this? Significantly cheaper cosmetic surgery prices, top quality care, and first rate doctors with training from the US and UK.

The Art of Rhinoplasty: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

The Changing Face of Rhinoplasty

Cosmetic surgery is no longer a one-off exotic procedure simply reserved for the lavish and bored. Nowadays cosmetic surgery is more accessible and widely specialised with patients opting for one of the five most common cosmetic surgery procedures; breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and abdominoplasty. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2008, there were over 10 million cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., totalling approximately $12 billion. The industry is seeing a steady rise in the number of male cosmetic procedures with over 800,000 in 2008. There was a rise in rhinoplasty procedures in 2008 in the U.S., which saw 30,000 men reconstructing their noses. The top five include liposuction, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, gynecomastia, and hair transplantation. Despite the fact that many Americans are opting to save and economize, cosmetic surgery is far from sagging (pardon the pun).

According to Dr. Berlet, rhinoplasty, which has been in existence since 500 BC, is qualified as an art. Sculpting and reshaping the nose requires a great deal of imagination when creating finished products to meet different ethnicities and races successfully. However, with the average cost of rhinoplasty between $4,000 to $12,000 Stateside, is it any wonder why so many patients are flocking to destinations like Costa Rica where the price is much closer to $3,770.

The ‘Rich Coast’, a Medical Tourism Hub

Costa Rica (the "Rich Coast") is a diverse country awash with misty waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and stunning coastlines. A country that is experiencing a wealth of foreign patients seeking rhinoplasty for low cost treatment, Costa Rica is becoming a popular destination for medical tourists. Each year 100,000 medical tourists choose Costa Rica to receive high quality medical treatment on cosmetic surgeries, dental operations, and heart procedures.

According to a study by the Deloitte firm, medical tourism is currently generating $60 billion annually worldwide with estimates that it will reach $100 billion by 2010, creating even more demand for Costa Rica's already robust medical and travel infrastructure. As the popularity of medical tourism rises in Costa Rica, many foreign patients will have the chance to experience the rich history that the country has to offer, while taking advantage of world class medical care at a considerably reduced price.

Despite the Recession, Medical Tourism Is on the Increase for India

Medical Tourism on the Increase in India

As the recession takes hold, it would be natural to think that medical tourism would see a decline in the number of foreign patients. This however, does not appear to be the case. Already popular in countries such as Thailand, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, and Turkey where accredited and affordable health care is available for many westerns, India is fast becoming the preferred destination for medical tourism. Low priced gastric bypass surgery, affordable Botox, and cheap dental work are saving thousands of dollars for millions of Americans. In a recent article in The Times of India, 2002 saw earnings of $300 million as a result of medical tourism which has been increasing 25% each year. According to a Cll-McKinsey report, medical tourism will see earnings reach the $2 billion mark by 2012, making India the next best tourist destination for medical treatment.

Low Priced Health Care in India

As the world deals with the financial turmoil, more and more people are opting for medical treatment abroad allowing them to incorporate a holiday while undergoing treatment. The Times of India has reported from the Planning Commission that while heart bypass surgery costs $24,000 in the US, it only costs $6,000 in India. Low priced gastric bypass surgery however is available for $7,500 in India, while in the US it costs a staggering $25,000. The India Street reports that knee surgery costs between $16,000 and $17,000 while in India, it only costs a mere $1,000. Medical tourism comes at a low price in India where short stay hospital care provides patients with the opportunity to experience the country's rich history without breaking the bank.

Is Low Priced Health Care in India Safe Health Care?

At a time where tightening our spending belts has become an everyday occurrence, medical tourists are taking advantage of the low priced health care that is offered in different countries. According to a ministry statement "medical tourism has gained momentum in India over the past few years, a trend underpinned by India's low-cost advantage and the emergence of new high-quality healthcare service providers."

Offering the latest technology and procedures, India’s medical professionals provide their patients with universally acclaimed friendly professional care and treatment packages that cater to individual needs. Low priced health care will definitely interest new patients, especially during the recession, but the added safety and potential vacation benefits might be an even bigger draw for prospective patients.