Books could be written about how and why healthcare in the United States is generally expensive. While the US remains to be one of the countries that spend the highest amount of money per capita for healthcare, a lot of people are still getting the shorter end of the stick because everything from surgical procedures down to a pill of Advil is really expensive. Due to high prices, many people consider medical tourism as a viable alternative for cosmetic surgeries, dentistry, and other procedures.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention writers Virginia Lee and Victor Balaban,
“Medical tourism” is the term commonly used to describe people traveling outside their home country for medical treatment. Traditionally, international medical travel involved patients from less-developed countries traveling to a medical center in a developed country for treatment that was not available in their home country. In the United States, the term “medical tourism” generally refers to people traveling to less-developed countries for medical care. Medical tourism is a worldwide, multibillion-dollar phenomenon that is expected to grow substantially in the next 5–10 years.
Studies have shown that many medical-related purchases like surgery and medicine, whether for health reasons, cosmetic, or both, cost significantly lower than in US. Even with various programs aimed to lower costs, surgery abroad is still something many people consider. Acquiring reliable cosmetic surgery in Mexico, for example, can help people save 10-50% or more of what they would have spent in facilities within the U.S.
While going abroad for surgery seems like a good choice because of the price cuts, many experts still suggest doing a thorough background check of the medical personnel in the company just as you would in the US to avoid the risk of getting botched procedures. Accredited Mexico cosmetic surgery clinics like the CosMed, for example, has a team of licensed surgeons who have undergone extensive medical training and certifications.
Although medical tourism might be a good chance to enjoy Mexico, Lee and Balaban says to take things slow:
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises people who have had cosmetic procedures of the face, eyelids, or nose, or who have had laser treatments, to wait 7–10 days before flying. Patients are also advised to avoid “vacation” activities such as sunbathing, drinking alcohol, swimming, taking long tours, and engaging in strenuous activities or exercise after surgery.
