What are the real savings?

Much is to be said about how significant the savings are when you travel to Costa Rica for a surgery. On average, procedures costs 70% less when they are performed in Costa Rica opposed to the US. While the numbers below are not quotes, check out the price comparison between the US and Costa Rica.

Medical Procedure	USA		Costa Rica
Heart Bypass	$144,000		$25,000
Angioplasty	$57,000		$13,000
Heart Valve Replacement	$170,000		$30,000
Hip Replacement	$50,000		$12,500
Hip Resurfacing	$50,000		$12,500
Knee Replacement	$50,000		$11,500
Spinal Fusion	$100,000		$11,500
Dental Implant	$2,800		$900
Lap Band	$30,000		$8,500
Breast Implants	$10,000		$3,800
Rhinoplasty	$8,000		$4,500
Face Lift	$15,000		$6,000
Hysterectomy	$15,000		$5,700
Gastric Sleeve	$28,700		$10,500
Gastric Bypass	$32,972		$12,500
Liposuction	$9,000		$3,900
Tummy Tuck	$9,750		$5,300
Lasik (both eyes)	$4,400		$1,800
Cornea (both eyes)	N/A		$4,200
Retina	N/A		$4,500
IVF Treatment	N/A		$2,800

Source: http://www.medicaltourism.com/en/compare-costs.html

Again, these are not intended to be quotes from us (or anyone for that matter) and each patient will have a different medical history, which can alter their needs/pricing.

Do you know someone who could use the saving? Pass it on! Knowledge is power!

Best Places to Retire Abroad- Costa Rica

AARP- The Magazine says "The Central Valley's outlying towns boast temperate, dry days, natural beauty—and so much more."

Find out why this reputable company loves Costa Rica!

http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/livable-communities/info-07-2010/best-places-retire-costa-rica-central-valley.html

Study on Type 2 Diabetes CURE

Study on Type 2 Diabetes CURE

World Institute of Surgical Excellence is now conducting a study on a surgery that CURES type 2 diabetes, as well as other weight loss surgeries; there is a limit of 20 participants. 

The treatment is referred to as Metabolic Surgery and has proven excellent results on Type 2 Diabetes patients. Nearly a 90% complete remission of diabetes! This means 5 years with stabilized measurements. The remaining 10% are now on an extremely low dose of blood sugar medication.

There are a few specifications on who´s candidate:

·         16 to 60 years old

·         Less than 10 years passed since diagnosis

·         Less than 10 year medication protocol

·         BMI under 35

·         *Peptide C and Glycated hemoglobin results

*These tests are going to be confirmed in Costa Rica.

**If you don´t qualify on some of these items, there are several options for you.

What do you get by participating?

For anyone who chooses to participate in our study, which also includes ANY of our weight loss surgeries (Lap Band, Gastric Sleeve, Metabolic Surgery, etc), your ensuing cosmetic surgery could be paid for by WISE!

The Type 2 Diabetes Treatment (Metabolic Surgery) consists on a modification of the Gastric Bypass procedure. Your procedure will be performed by Dr. Jacabo Zafrani.

The main differences are:

-The doctor makes a bigger stomach cavity or “pouch”. Since its planned for non-obese patients, having a bigger pouch helps them maintain a healthy weight.

-He also bypasses a few less inches of the small intestine. The part of the small intestine that is bypassed helps stimulate the pancreas insulin production and reduces the hormone that keeps the insulin from activating into the blood stream.

You´ll stay in Costa Rica 9 days and your schedule is:

Day 1: Arrival. There will be a transportation waiting for you at the Airport to take you to the Recovery Center.

Day 2: Pre-Ops and Surgery. This requires a 12 hour fasting period.

Day 3: Afternoon discharge , you´ll have everything set up to go back to the beautiful recovery center, with 24/7 nurse supervision.

Day 4-7: Recovery.

Day 8: Post Op Appointment with the surgeon.

Day 9: Fly home…as a non-diabetic.

If you have any interest in this or any other weight loss surgery I encourage you to call or email me directly with the information at the bottom of the page. For additional information about WISE-Evans, our affiliate hospitals, and surgeons please visit WiseEvans.com. 

Visit us at wiseEvans.com or email us directly at devans@wiseMDs.com. You may also watch this brief video with WISE Surgeon, Dr. Zafrani himself:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bn8U79R99A

It's Disgusting!! (My Reply)

While sending e-mails to editors of local publications about my recent press release regarding Medical Tourism, I got this email back...


"I'm sorry, but I think the idea of having to go to a third world country to get medical care because it's gotten to god-d#*! expensive in this country is disgusting."


Interesting email.


I replied back that I appreciated him taking the time to write me. I also noted that, yes it is pretty unfortunate that a country, like this one, has not yet come up with a system that allows affordable medical care to everyone.


I then thought to myself, "I'm not sure what that email was actually implying". I couldn't believe how odd it actually was. 


I'd like to address each point as the was presented in the email:


"I'm sorry, but I think the idea of having to go to a third world country to get medical care..." 


I do not blame this writer for not knowing anything about Costa Rica. Honestly, before doing my research. I too, did not know much about Costa Rica except for where it was on a map and the fact that it has GREAT weather. Upon further research though, I found that Costa Rica is a vibrant, stable country with very high rankings in health care. None of those describers imply the thought of a traditional "third wold country". In fact that term is completely outdated. The term originated during the cold war to describe a country that did not have an alliance with either the US or the Soviet Union. The term "third world country" has since been an adjective to describe a poverty stricken country with an unstable government. 


Quick Facts:
-Costa Rica's health care is ranked higher than the US by WHO (World Health Organization)
-AARP backs Costa Rica as a wonder place to retire (Believe me the AARP has too much of a reputation to be recommending anyone go to a country where they will not receive adequate health care or is a "third world country" with drug lords running around the streets with machine guns.)
-National Geographic says Costa Rica is a top 5 climate in the world
-NASA proclaims Costa Rica as the healthiest climate in the world
-Happy Planet Index boasts that Costa Ricans are the happiest people in the world and  have the highest life satisfaction
-Costa Rica's ecomony is very stable and ever improving (opposite practically the rest of the world)
-Costa Rica does not have an Army or Navy because they do not get involved in conflict

-Country wide literacy rate of 96.2%

I guess, depending your version of the arbitrary definition of "third world country", any country could fit your model.

"...because it's gotten too GD expensive in this country..."


If you've read some of my previous posts you know how I feel about the extra and un-need expenses that are involved in US health care. I guess for this writer health care has not been an issue. It's been such a non-issue for him that he feels that going to any country besides the US for medical care is just silly. I bet 50 million un-insured Americans don't think it's as silly or in his words, disgusting. Maybe Medical Tourism isn't for them, but when you are forced to swallow a $25,000 medical bill for a knee replacement, it'll make you at least explore some other options. 


"...is disgusting." 


Again going back to the first point that Costa Rica is not a "Banana Republic" but a healthy, intelligent country. I don't see whats disgusting about it. Now, if it were a Witch Dr. performing surgeries in a hut with rust knives while spouting gibberish, yea that'd be disgusting. On the other hand, when it's highly educated and experienced surgeon performing procedures in a state-of-the-art facility, where everyone speaks English and treats you like a rock-star, that is not disgusting at all. Quite the opposite of disgusting if you ask me.


Thank you so much, Mr. Editor, for your email. Sometimes I forget how unfamiliar most American's are with any other country other than the great U.S. of A. 


Knowledge is power!


If you'd like to see the press release referenced in this article just follow the link below. 

http://www.prlog.org/11863344-spiraling-healthcare-costs-in-the-us-causes-citizens-to-seek-alternatives-for-care.html