A recent trend in surgery is to seek healthcare outside of the United States, where the cost of surgery is significantly lower, sometimes 75% less than what the procedure would cost domestically. Surgeons from outside the U.S. have begun to actively seek patients who are willing to travel for the surgery that they need, promoting themselves with websites and other advertising.
In some cases, the surgeons in question were trained in outstanding American facilities, and have the same, or better, training than surgeons practicing in the United States.
International surgery is not to be taken lightly and should be thoroughly investigated. In addition to the surgeon’s credentials, which should be verified, the facility in which you would recover needs to be researched as well. While the surgeon is incredibly important to the final outcome of the surgery, the recovery portion of the procedure must be handled by well-trained staff.
It is imperative that the surgeon be highly skilled, but the person who cares for you during your recovery is equally important. They must be able to identify any warning signs or complications that may occur and notify your surgeon. Remember, your surgeon is only as skilled as the staff members who care for you in his absence.
