10 Questions You Should Ask your Doctor when thinking about Traveling Abroad

Questions To Ask Your Doctor By PlacidWay

10 Questions You Should Ask your Doctor when it comes to Traveling Abroad

The world is a smaller place now especially because some of the most expensive treatments in the USA, Canada, or Europe are now offered at a fraction of the actual cost in specific countries across the world. As a result, more and more people are traveling to a foreign country to benefit from "low cost and high quality" medical treatments for a variety of diseases and condition.

Regardless of whether you are visiting Los Algodones, Mexico for dental treatment or opting for an anti-aging treatment in Kiev, Ukraine, consulting your doctor prior to travel is a must. Most often than not, patients are confused about what should they ask their doctor and hence, we have put together a list of 10 questions you should ask your doctor when considering traveling abroad.

Do I need to share or carry my medical history?

This is an important area because some medical conditions have connections with your immediate past like Coronary artery disease (CAD) can be caused due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Your health details will reveal if you are taking or have taken medications in the past for specific health issues that may have led to your current medical condition. Your medical history is something that you need to share with your doctor. Your medical history may also reveal the medications you are allergic too, which will be decisive for a doctor when prescribing post treatment medication.

Do I need to choose specific treatment plan for my medical condition?

The treatment plan varies according to the type and severity of a medical condition. At times, a specific medical condition can be treated using multiple procedures and in such a scenario, you will need to choose a medical procedure that you are most comfortable with. As an example, let's look at dental implants. Whether you require all-on-4 or implants of the upper or lower jaw, the treatment procedure can involve Endosteal implants or Subperiosteal implants. Hence, it is extremely important to discuss your medical condition and the proper treatment in advance with your doctor.

How do I know a specific treatment is right for my medical condition?

Some medical conditions have multiple treatment procedures while others have single or specific procedures. Considering the above example of dental treatments like Endosteal implants or Subperiosteal implants, it is important to identify what they are. Endosteal implants are normally attached directly to the bone while Subperiosteal implants are a type of metal framework that is attached to the jawbone underneath the gum tissue. This information can be provided by your dentist or doctor you could also conduct a little bit of research over the internet to find details regarding the procedures.

Will there be any diagnostic tests prior to a treatment?

Professional Medical Care

A person suffering from the common flu has to go through a diagnostic test to determine the cause like viral or bacterial. Yes, a diagnostic test is mandatory prior to any treatment. A proper diagnosis of the medical condition, stage of medical condition, and cause will help in determining the right treatment plan. It is important that the clinic or hospital you are planning to visit has state of the art equipment and laboratory to run required diagnostic tests.

Who conducts the diagnostic tests?

The diagnostic tests are normally conducted by lab technicians, junior doctors, nurses, and medical assistants. It is always important to check the credentials and experience of professionals conducting the tests. This really is another important area apart from advanced equipment because a small mistake in a diagnostic test may lead to non-treatment or incorrect treatment of a medical condition.

What if a particular treatment doesn't suit me?

It is true that sometimes, a specific treatment, however perfect it may be, might not suit you. You might show allergic reaction or other similar symptoms. This is an important area and you should ideally go with a doctor or clinic that offers you other options or who offer tailor treatments based on the medical diagnosis. Willingness to providing alternative medical treatments is important.

What kind of during and post treatment care can I expect?

Proper care is essential prior to and after any type of medical treatment procedure whether it is something as simple as hair transplant procedure or something more strenuous as Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. Depending on the type of medical condition, a clinic and the supervising doctor should be capable of handling any emergency situation as well as offer high quality care to their patients. Each patient should be provided personal care followed by monitoring of vital signs and reactions of medications prior to treatment.

Will there be any side effects of my treatment? How will I manage them?

Side effects can be quite commonplace. Two people can undergo the same treatment for a specific medical condition but their body will not react in the same manner. One patient may suffer from post treatment effect like nausea while the other patient may not experience anything at all. Yet, it is important to ask your doctor what are the various side effects that you might experience as this will help you with your planning on a physical and psychological level for the treatment.

The management of the side effects can be done using medications or alternate therapies. This will depend on the type of side effect you experience. You need to find out from your doctor the various support options they would be ready to provide for management of the side effects.

Where will my treatment procedure take place?

The treatment procedure will take place in the clinic or hospital that your doctor represents. It is important to find out the following information from your doctor:

1. Appointment date and time


2. Time of diagnostic tests


3. Duration of diagnostic tests


4. Duration of the treatment procedure


5. Duration of stay prior to and post treatment procedure


6. Place of stay

Note: You need to also find out how experienced your doctor is in treating your type of medical condition. Does he/she have any previous experience? Is he/she a board certified specialist? You can also ask for references of patients who have been successfully treated.

Will I have a single point of contact at the medical center or will a team be appointed to address my medical needs?

Depending on the medical condition, a team of highly skilled and experienced medical professionals will address your medical needs right from admission into the clinic to getting diagnostic tests, treatment, and post treatment care. A clinical nurse will be appointed to check your vitals and monitor your nutrition during the stay at hospital. You need to ask your doctor if they have such a team in place or not. Apart, from this, you should also ask whether there will be junior doctors to address any of your immediate medical needs. You need to also find out if there is any translator in the team or someone who speaks your language especially if you are visiting a foreign country.

It is important to understand that if you ask the right questions to your doctor or surgeon then it will help prepare you for the treatment in a healthy way. Of course, there could be many more treatment specific questions that can arise in your mind and it is always recommended to discuss the same with your doctor as well. What you really need is to create a "checklist" of questions, so that you can travel abroad for your treatment without any annoying burden in your mind.

For more information on how to have the best medical experience abroad, please contact us!

Non Surgical Weight Loss Program in Jelenia Gora, Poland

Non-Surgical Weight Loss in Poland by Placidway

There are numerous people who struggle with extra weight. Dieting and exercising are tough to deal with and not everyone has the possibility and time to stick to a strict eating and exercise routine. Surgical procedures are a solution that scares many overweight individuals.

So which are the alternatives? The non-surgical weight loss programs address those who want to avoid bariatric surgery, dieting, or exercising, but are still dreaming of an efficient way of losing the extra pounds healthy.

Non Surgical Weight Loss Overview

The non-surgical weight loss treatment package offered in Jelenia Gora, Poland, has gained a lot of popularity in the last years. During 14 days, by following a set of non-invasive, healthy and medically supervised procedures, overweight obese and overweight people get the chance to lose weight healthy, avoiding any kind of surgery, exhaustion, or starvation.

In addition to losing the extra weight, this program provides a relaxing environment and a bunch of beautifying procedures that benefit the patients’ skin, teeth and overall state of mind.

Benefits of the Non-Surgical Weight Loss Program

• Has effective and permanent results
• No starving
• Physician-supervised
• No surgery needed
• It’s an easy to follow program
• Improves the patients’ look, mood and self-confidence
• Corrects bad eating habits
• Helps reduce cellulite

Non-Surgical Weight Loss in Poland by Placidway Prices

Cost, Inclusions and Exclusions

At KCM Clinic (Jelenia Gora, Poland), the non-surgical weight loss program’s price starts at $1,957, lasts for 14 days and includes:

1. 26 slimming supportive treatments:

• 4 x anti-cellulite massage with a Chinese bubble
• 4 x underwater massage
• 3 x lymphatic drainage (30 minutes)
• 9 x aqua-aerobic
• 3 x Startvac Sp2 vacuum massage
• 3 x sessions in the infrared sauna
• 1 x Herbal Body Scrub Body treatment, a combination of special herbs and precious oil that make the patients’ skin silky, smooth and delicate.
• 1 x-cellulite treatment that reduces the appearance of "orange peel", drains, slims, regenerate tissue damaged by the accumulation of toxins.
• 2 x-slimming treatments that improve the appearance of the figure, stimulates lipolysis processes and facilitates the elimination of fat cells.
• 1 x treatment drainage that prevents water retention in the body, improves circulation, reduces swelling and cellulite feet of water.
• 4 x calorie burning program - classes with an instructor
• 5 x program flat stomach and strong back - classes with instructor
• 1 x Soft Pack Beauty Creation - relaxing treatment with a body wrap
• 1 x relaxing facial massage
• 1 x consultation with a fitness instructor - optimal individualized exercise
• 1 x consultation with a dietician and psychologist - optimal individualized exercise

2. Personal host at the clinic who is dedicated to the patients’ travel itinerary and medical travel program - complimentary

3. Full dental cleaning (scaling, sand blasting, polishing, fluoridation) - complimentary

4. 14 days in a single comfortable room with HD TV and WLAN, also included: Swimming pool and sauna, Outdoor Jacuzzi, Fitness Gym

5. Ground transfer from/to the Airport

The program’s price excludes:

• Plane tickets
• Patients’ personal expenses.

Why Choose Us?

• Cutting-edge technology used
• Highly-qualified and trained medical teams
• Doctor’s commitment and care for the patients
• Round the clock access to flawless health care

Achieve the body of your dreams without any surgeries! Know all about the non-surgical weight loss program offered in Jelenia Gora, Poland! Contact us!

All About - Obesity Surgeries and Weight Loss Treatments

Obesity Surgeries and Obesity Weight Loss Treatment

Overview

Obesity is one of the most prevalent causes of multiple diseases and conditions that afflict people in the United States today. Some people who are more than 100 pounds overweight may find it difficult to lose weight through traditional methods and look to weight-loss treatments and surgeries to provide the answer for long-term weight loss.

Common Weight Loss Treatment and Obesity Surgeries

• Weight-Loss Medications
• Bariatric Surgery
• Gastroplasty
• Lap Banding
• Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Gastric Bypass Surgery for Obesity

​

Examples of Weight-Loss Treatments and Surgeries

Obesity and weight loss treatment and surgeries are generally only an option for people who are more than 100 pounds overweight. Most physicians will first suggest a wide variety of treatments such as behavior modification, dieting, and exercise. Sometimes, a doctor will prescribe medications. When these fail, surgery is an option for those who have not responded to such treatments and who are severely obese.

Surgical procedures are generally divided into three categories: malabsorption, restrictive, and mixed, or combination. The type of surgery any patient will undergo will depend on how much weight needs to be lost. Lap banding and gastric bypass (gastric bariatric surgery) are two of the most common surgeries. 

Weight-Loss Medications

Two common weight loss medication therapies involve the use of Sibutramine, also known as Meridia and Reductil. These drugs are appetite suppressants. Results of up to a 10% loss of initial body weight are usually visible within one year. Orlistat, also known as Xenical and the newer Alli are available without prescription in the United States.  Using such medications, roughly 8-10% loss of initial body weight may be expected after a year. Ephedra is no longer available within the United States due to safety concerns regarding its use.

Bariatric Surgeries

Bariatric Surgery is a catchall phrase for several different types of weight loss procedures and surgeries. Candidates for any type of bariatric weight-loss surgery should not expect it to work miracles, as patients are expected to engage and maintain strict eating habits, as well as developing new lifestyle habits and behaviors.

Restrictive bariatric weight loss surgery procedures are designed to generally reduce the size of the stomach and to limit the amount of food a person can eat at one sitting. Several common weight loss procedures are described below.

Lap banding -- Laparoscopic banding (LAGB) is a process through which a silicone band, much like a rubber band, is placed around the entrance to the stomach. One of the most popular choices of weight-loss procedures, patients undergoing this type of procedure can expect a 50 to 75% weight loss of 50 to 90 pounds after two years.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty -- This procedure is commonly known as stomach stapling or VBG. Surgical staples are used to section off a small portion of the upper part of the stomach. The other side of this pouch is fitted with a band that slows the amount of time it takes for food to leave this pouch, which results in feelings of fullness after eating small amounts of food. Most patients who choose this type of procedure are generally able to lose roughly 50% of excess weight after a two-year time period.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy -- This type of procedure is generally performed on patients who have a body mass index over 50. It involves removing a portion of the stomach to create more of a sleeve rather than the pouch shape that the stomach has. This type of procedure offers less of weight loss expectancy after a typical two-year timeframe, and a person may anticipate losing between 30 and 35% of their initial body weight, or roughly 40 pounds.

Gastric Bypass surgery for obesity is a procedure that results in dividing the stomach to create a small pouch that is directly attached to the small intestine. This pouch can only hold 1 ounce of food, though it may stretch in time to allow a person to eat about a cup of food at a time.  This type of procedure is considered the most drastic, although it contains the highest success rate with patients losing between 60 and 70% of excess body weight within a year.

Benefits of Obesity Surgeries and Weight-Loss Treatments

Weight-loss treatments and obesity surgeries and procedures are designed to reduce illness and death caused by obesity. For many, weight loss improves multiple conditions including high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. In addition, other body systems, including digestive, endocrine, and immune system benefit.

However, such procedures however require dedication and determination for those who undergo such procedures to maintain permanent lifestyle changes. After surgery, patients who follow instructions may enjoy as much as a 60% weight loss, improving health problems as an added benefit.

While weight-loss treatments and obesity surgeries and procedures are very expensive in the United States, and may range anywhere from $17,000-$30,000 per procedure, benefits in long-term health and quality of life often make such a choice not only necessary, but reasonable in the long run.

Choosing the Right Doctor

As with any other type of surgical procedure, patients should make sure that their surgeon is trained and belongs to a surgical or medical doctor association or organization in his or her country of origin. In addition, the surgeon performing any of the above procedures should be considered a bariatric surgeon and belong to a college or association of surgeons who specializes in gastric and bariatric procedures.