Our top 10 list of do's and don'ts
to help you have a happy, trouble-free medical vacation.

• Do go where you know you’ll get excellent medical treatment.
  

  Few countries promoting "medical tourism" have high medical standards, and that's why we send our clients only to the top hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand. Anywhere else? Not yet, not until their standards are much higher.
  
  

• Do plan ahead, especially if you’ll be traveling at peak tourist times.
  

  You’ll be competing for treatment with other medical travelers and for hotel space with regular tourists. And, excellent surgeons don't grow on trees. Ours have full schedules.
  
  

• Don’t rely only on the Internet for your research.
  

  The best surgeons don’t need to solicit business. Hospital web sites are advertising tools that often contain outdated or incomplete information, especially about staff and costs.
  
  

• Do ask a surgeon about his fellowships or specialized training.
  

  Does he regularly attend international professional meetings? How recently has she practiced in the U.S. or Canada? How many years of experience does he have in the specialty?
  
  

• Do invest a few dollars in a telephone call.
  

  Your conversation with the surgeon's representative or with your medical travel planner will be a good indicator of the attention you’ll get later.
  
  

• Don’t be stingy with your vacation time.
  

  Take advantage of the medical attention that’s available to you during recovery so that your return home is uneventful. Better to spend an extra day or two in recovery than to start traveling too soon. Your surgeon or medical travel planner can guide you on that.
  
  

• Don’t cut costs by going with the "lowest bidder."
  

  Keeping down the cost of surgery or staying at a budget hotel may sound like a good idea at first, but experience shows you may be sorry later.
  
  

• Do get everything (or as much as you can) in writing.
  

  Before you go, know your costs, procedures, dates and times of the consultation and surgery, number of nights in the hospital and contact names and telephone numbers your family can use to reach you.
  
  

• Don't feel you're "stuck" with the doctor you first chose when you were at home.
  

  When you finally meet your surgeon, don’t be seduced by the Botoxed doctor with the smooth bedside manner, or intimidated by the one who wants to ratchet up the procedures and costs. If you have second thoughts, don’t be afraid to ask for a different doctor or simply walk out.
  
  

• Don’t take stupid chances.
  

  There is always some doctor somewhere who will agree to anything you want. This may be the only time you will travel for medical treatment. Do it right.

Above all, do use a medical concierge or medical travel planner. A good, experienced medical concierge has a direct pipeline into the best doctors and hospitals. In the long run, you will save money, get the best treatment, have a stress-free recovery and return home truly relaxed.