| Going abroad for a hip replacement may seem like a | | | | know before hand so they can make suitable |
| huge step for a hip replacement patient but if you | | | | arrangements. Let yourself be pampered - book a |
| want to cut costs or jump to the front of the queue | | | | course of massage or aromatherapy - all in aid of |
| it's something definitely worth considering. | | | | your speedy recovery of course. |
| With high quality care available in countries as diverse | | | | 6. Holiday - do combine your surgery with a holiday. |
| as Belgium, Mexico, Thailand, Poland and India there is | | | | Staying longer in the country will allow you to be near |
| bound to be somewhere close by that suits your | | | | your surgeon, take advantage of low cost |
| budget and.... choice of holiday location. Holiday | | | | physiotherapy and have a relaxing break. I'd much |
| location? Yes that's right, because combining surgery | | | | rather be doing my exercises on a sun-drenched |
| with a few days (or even weeks!) rest and | | | | beach - wouldn't you? |
| recuperation is definitely the way the market is | | | | 7. Insurance - do make sure you are adequately |
| heading. | | | | insured. Most hip replacements go very smoothly but |
| Interested? Then check out the top ten tips for | | | | if something does go wrong months later how will |
| selecting a destination that will be perfect for you. | | | | you get it fixed? With good insurance you can put |
| | | | those worries away. There's a new breed of travel |
| 1. Cost - let price inform your decision but don't let it | | | | medical insurance available specifically tailored for |
| over-ride the most important factor - the standard | | | | people undergoing surgical procedures overseas. |
| of clinical care. How experienced is your surgeon? | | | | 8. Satisfaction - ask to speak to other patients who |
| How clean is the clinic? Remember to add in the cost | | | | have completed their treatment. Yes you'll only be |
| of travel, post-operative stay and physiotherapy. You | | | | referred to the satisfied ones but you can still learn a |
| will probably also want a friend to travel with you. | | | | lot from them. In addition do a Google search to see |
| Sounds expensive I know but you will be amazed | | | | what people have said about the surgeon/clinic. |
| that even with all those extras you can make a | | | | 9. Packages - most of the big clinics are now set up |
| substantial saving compared to having the operation | | | | to offer all-inclusive package deals. A good package |
| done in the USA. | | | | will include pre-assessment in your own country, |
| 2. Expertise - don't be fooled into thinking that | | | | flights, transfers, surgery (and all associated costs), |
| overseas means second rate. Most of the surgeons | | | | physiotherapy and a week or twos holiday and |
| operating on patients from abroad have themselves | | | | recuperation time in a nearby hotel. |
| been trained in the US or UK. They are well | | | | 10. Tell others - the best way to learn about a good |
| respected both in their home country and in the | | | | place to have hip surgery overseas is by |
| country they trained. | | | | word-of-mouth. It's still a relatively new market and |
| 3. Research - do your own research. You must put | | | | there isn't a lot of information from a patient's |
| some effort into this - just as you should if you | | | | perspective on the internet yet. So once you're back |
| were having surgery at home. Look at both the | | | | home why not share your story with others. |
| surgeon (how many hip replacements has he done? | | | | Some Final Thoughts |
| What is his revision rate? Is he familiar with the | | | | With longer lasting implants and changes in surgical |
| specific procedure you want?) and the clinic (MRSA | | | | procedures hip replacement surgery is being offered |
| rate? Post-op infection rate?). What you want is a | | | | to a wider group of patients than ever before. How |
| great surgeon working with a fabulous team. | | | | this will impact on our already frail health services is |
| 4. Destination - don't be tempted to go too far | | | | difficult to assess but it would be reasonable to |
| unless you're time rich. The further you fly out the | | | | believe that queue will grow longer - much longer. |
| longer you will have to wait to fly back. Great if | | | | No one should have to endure unnecessary pain and |
| you've got the time to spend soaking up the sun on | | | | impaired mobility for any longer than is absolutely |
| some foreign beach. | | | | necessary but if all that is on offer in your home |
| 5. Comfort - many of the hospitals catering for | | | | country is the choice of a long waiting list or a huge |
| overseas patients are absolutely first class when it | | | | bill than considering a hip replacement overseas must |
| comes to accommodation and care. If you have any | | | | be the right choice. |
| particular dietary requirements or allergies let them | | | | |