Bumrungrad Hospital: help needed inc post op care options & accomm
 

Hi All,

I am hoping you can help me because my inquiries to the hospital have been a little vague, and I think they are used to the patient travelling having a companion, and unfortunately I will be traveling alone. The "package" includes 2 nights in hospital care, but I will need to stay in Bangkok for a few weeks to heal. I am aware that the hospital has its own hotel, but this does not seem to include medical care, and my big concern being alone is that I will need help taking care of myself, and it is hard for me to judge before doing it at what stage I would be ok just being in a hotel bed. On those US extreme makeover shows they always show an aftercare facility. Does anyone know of a medical service where someone can come check on you at your hotel or where you can go to recover with some care very close to the hospital should complications arise???? If anyone has had a tummy tuck if they could tell me what after care arrangements they made and if they were happy with them? I am wanting to have a tummy tuck as I have lost a Lot of weight and have a lot of excess skin and cannot afford to get it done at home. If anyone has experience in particular with this surgery at Bumrungrad please get in touch, I would very much like to talk to you about your experience and reccommendations including as to the surgeon as the hospital itself would not reccomend one in particular but a number.

Thank you very much in advance, as I am sure you are aware, surgery is frightening at the best of times let alone in another country with no family or friends around.

ttucker.

The new rooms(deluxe upward) at BH are nice, probably as nice as a 4 or 5 star hotel. You should be able to get them for around 4 - 5,000 Baht a night and if you feel insecure about staying outside the hospital then staying there is not bad at all IMO.

In case you stay somewhere else the hospital can arrange home nursing for you and they do have a network of nurses who are willing to visit or even spend several hours with you per day if you wish(at a cost of course).

Follow hanuman's advice, ttucker. He's a local. This is a moment to spend money. Yup, it's scary, ain't it?

Or if you are willing to buy me a ticket and a room, I'll check in on you several times a day....

A year or two ago, someone posted their experience of having surgery at Bumrungrad and staying closeby for follow-up visits.

I'd say do what makes you most comfortable. So if staying at the hospital apartments feels best to start, stay there. Bumrungrad can arrange anything you need - visiting nurse, whatever. So if you want to move to a serviced apartment after a few days or a week, you can do so... I'm sure they could even recommend one to you.

There's a testimonial from a patient here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...bumrungrad.cfm

Here is another very entertaining trip report about Bangkok and getting some medical care at Bumrungrad.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...om-bangkok.cfm

I know there are other such reports here, though I can't locate them right now.

ttucker, if you want to read everything about Bumrungrad that's on fodors.com go to google and in the search box enter:

bumrungrad site:fodors.com

For a few days you will need help getting in and out of bed. Just a steady arm, meals and if you get a little groggy from the meds someone to monitor you . I'd stay as close as you can, arrange for help thru BH social services depart. I am sure they have a home nursing agency they recomend. You don't need an RN...just an home health aide to be your arms and legs and help with the above.

all of these reasons would be one reason i would stay at the BH hotel for at least several days after i am released from the hospital... they will see that you get anything you need...all you need to do is pick up the phone....

one suggestions too is to get yourself a cheap thai cellphone once you get there.....go to MBK where there are tons of cell shops on the upper floors...

most hotels have nurses and drs. on call as well if you get into trouble...

lcuy would be the best "nurse" you ever had, btw

If I remember right, Bumrungrad has serviced apartments that are next to the hospital. I know they have monthly rates, and I would think they have weekly rates too?

It is not the hospital, but they still have doctors and nurses available.

ttucker,

I just visited BH today for my monthly appointment and asked some senior doctors there to recommend someone for a tummy tuck. Dr. Komwit Kaewchaijaroenkit was recommended by 2 doctors I know so I hope this will help you a bit.

I'm not sure if you've come across Cosmetic Surgery Travel:
http://www.cosmeticsurgerytravel.com/

They offer a sort of concierge service along with travel agency. It might be just the kind of thing you're looking for.

I've meet the owner a couple of times. Like me, she's not a big fan of Bumrungrad, but if you're set on that they will support you.

Most hotels may have nurses and doctors on call but if the nurse one popular local five-star hotel is any indicator, you may want to think twice about depending on them. Charming, yes. Skilled, maybe not so much.

Good luck with your surgery. I hope that you will consider posting about your experiences once you are fully recovered.

Please post you experiences . there is a bourgeoning industry in Thailand of medical tourism and it is relatively unresearched -so your input will be very valuable.
have you researched Bumrungrad fully on the net etc?

"relatively unresearched" ?

Bumrungrad Hospital was the first hospital outside the US to be JCAHO-accredited. It is one of the most frequently mentioned hospitals for medical tourism. There have been many reports in mainstream media about cosmetic surgery ay Bumrungrad. Previous threads here on Fodors referenced above give info on quality of care and on issues to be aware of such as lack of malpractice insurance in Thai hospitals.

ttucker: I speak from experience!!!!!! In 2005 I went to BH for a neck lift and eyelid lift. It was the first trip to Thailand, and although my husband was with me, it was a hospital and doctor in a strange country ~~ we are in the US. To make a long story short, we stayed in the BH apts to be close to the hospital. I had certain criteria for a dr ~~ member of the Amer. College of Surgeons, etc. You get the picture. Anyway, I could not have wanted or needed a better or more professional dr ~~ Dr. Tongtip (Thai, of course) returned there after a 34-year private practice in the US. She was wonderful!!!!! So, at the same time I also had a tummy tuck ~~ best decision I ever made medically. Since then I have returned to Dr. Tongtip for other procedures.

My long-time American dr was initially hesitant about releasing me to overseas medical personnel, but after reading all my research on BH and Dr. Tongtip, he has referred several other of his patients, and he, himself, has planned surgery by Dr. T.

One of the above patients was also a solo traveler, and while she was recuperating Dr. Tongtip was vigilant in overseeing her care, and even took a personal interest in her by taking her out to dinner in the evenings with her and her husband. Can you tell that I am a big fan of BH and Dr. Tongtip? My husband and I will be seeing Dr. Tongtip and her husband on this year's visit to Thailand ~~ not for surgery, but on a personal level.

And my recovery time from the first round of cosmetic surgeries ~~ all done consecutively ~~ was less than 2 weeks. And my DH also had rhinoplasty and a chin lift at the same time, so we recuperated together ~~ each taking care of the other. Would I do it again? !! Definitely!!!!!!

No matter which dr. you choose, you can't go wrong at BH. The care, after-care, compassion, etc. are to be envied by all other hospitals.

Good luck, and take care! I apologize for the "wandering."

Sandra (McBeanie)

Sandra,

Next time I talk to Dr. Tongtip I will convey your compliments to her, she is my mother's high school friend and we see her a lot. The reason I didn't recommend her is because she is often in the USA with her DH and only practices in Thailand a few months out of the year.

" JCAHO-accredited. " - unfortunately accreditation from the States has been severely criticised over the past few years.