pick up the phone and call them

Easytraveler,

That was a fun report with tons of useful info. I have bookmarked it for further use.

I feel fat in Asia as well. I don't know anyone who doesn't. You are absolutely not alone. I was about a size 8 last time I was there and yet I could not find any clothes that fit me. I bought some t-shirts and they were mostly men's. i have to add I didn't spend time shopping. I am more of a foodie.

Hong Kong is full of fashion victims and yes you spot them miles away. We need them here to stimulate our economy right now.

re:jetlag. I usually take something called no jetlag from New Zealand. It helps me adjust to the local time.

I have really good medical insurance I have been told. Recently I spent quite a bit out of pocket. With dental insurance, I paid $200 in addition to have a molar pulled out. I know the contract says 100% coverage but the dentist says depends on degree of difficulty. My dh paid an extra$500+ (exclude frames) on progressive. Our insurance provid free frames but they are too ugly to mention. I might just have mine made in Thailand.

I don't want to go under the knife unless there is no alternative. To know it does not cost an arm and a leg to remove bags under the eyes in reassuring.

Thanks a million.


Kathie,

Thanks for finding it for me.

In one of your response, you mentioned you are thinking of retiring in BKK at least part time. I am also kinda thinking along that line.

I am looking for blogs by expats who are currently residing in BKK, Bali and Malaysia. Would you know of any?

Thanks.

How's Bumrungrad for more serious/complicated dental procedures? I just found out I may need to have a dental implant (fun times!) and it's a small fortune to have that done here in the States.

Looks like from Bumrungrad's website that they offer the service, but they don't provide any information on it or potential pricing at all...and from reading some of the comments on this thread, it sounds a bit like their dental clinic isn't really what they're known for. Is there a better place in BKK to have something like this done?

Filmwill, I had to have a broken tooth removed and an implant done last year. If I'd had the time, I would have had it done in two trips to Bangkok. I could have lived in the style to which I have become accustomed in Bangkok, had the procedures done and had shopping money left over!

If it were me, I'd write to Bumrungrad and ask about pricing. I know they have ab implant specialist who works there part time.

billy---make sure the studio approves an offshore dental procedure before you have it done...you would not want to be moved down only to B movies....

the last B.H. implant i saw was like a fang...

Mohan:

Try teakdoor.com.

This is nothing but blogs by expats living in Thailand. We have found some very useful info there, and some really interesting stories.

BTW -- I needed cosmetic surgery and actually talked with a surgeon in Houston. Way out of the question! Then we saw 60 Minutes and started researching Bumrungrad. My first concern -- like Kathie -- was that it is accredited by the same commission that accredits US hospitals. For a long time it was the only American accredited hospital in SEA, but I read somewhere several months ago that Bangkok International Hospital now has this accreditation. I haven't checked their website.

Back to Bumrungrad -- I went there in 2005 for the necessary procedures. The doctor, Tongtip Bongsadadt, is a Thai native, who is fully accredited by US med organizations and, in fact, had just retired from a 31-year practice in New Jersey. She did 5 procedures -- three necessary -- and the total cost of our trip, including air fare, accommodations, food, etc. for a month was only a couple of thousand $$ more than the dr. here quoted. And the vacation was great!!!!!!!

We have become BKK "groupies" and have been back every year since 2005. We also have our dental work there, and my husband had a complete check-up for just a fraction of the US cost. Insurance would not have covered some of it.

We leave again in January for another month in BKK and Chiang Mai, and will not have any surgery, but will have our dental checkups and I am having a complete physical.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

McBeanie (Sandra_

One more issue to consider in going to Bangkok (or many other places) for surgery. As I understand it, Thai doctors do not have malpractice insurance. There is an insurance company in the US from which you can buy malpractice insurance to cover procedures you have elsewhere. The person (who works in the medical insurance industry) who told me about this did not know the name of the company but thought it was Sun---- (something). If I were going to have surgery done, I think I'd look into that.

I have annual check ups and teeth cleaning at Bumrungrad for about US$30. In Seattle the price is over $150, so I have one in SEattle and one in bangkok each year.

Sandra

Thanks for sharng info and recommending the website. I definitely feel better having things done in Thailand. You could not have picked a better surgeon. To know that she has decades of experience in the states is reassuring.

The website is indeed useful and interesting to say the least. Read the craziest story. So very entertaining and somewhat scarry. I have been glued to it eversince.

Thanks again.

easytraveller,

You said you were happy with Tong's husband for glasses - can you please elaborate as I would love to get some glass made up while in Bangkok.