Medical Tourism: Saying Goodbye to El Salvador
by Lori Lundin
When I told people we were going to El Salvador their response was almost always “Why in the world would you go there?” People have the impression it’s unsafe and the last place in Central America you’d want to visit. Then, tell them you’re going for dental work and they are really baffled. Being a journalist, I’m not someone who would randomly hop on a plane and let someone pull my husband’s teeth out. I did my homework. Planet Hospital facilitated everything and thankfully got us in contact with Dr. Lorenzana. Knowing he was trained in the U.S., speaks perfect English and is an American Board Certified Prosthodontist helped us feel confident about the quality care. The Americans we’d spoken to ahead of our own decision raved about the experience and they were right.
In all my husband had three teeth pulled, seven implants, a bone graft and a sinus lift. He also has a mouth full of beautiful temporaries. The procedure took about 4 hours. He didn’t feel a thing and never had any pain. The entire process far exceeded our expectations. Dr. Lorenzana loves what he does and he loves his country. He has a real desire to let the world know what a great place it is to visit and that the quality of care really is first class.
Hard not to fall in love with the people here. They are so kind and eager to accommodate. It makes them sad and frustrated that the country still has a reputation for being unsafe, despite the war being over for more than a decade. Ricky (Our Planet Hospital Country Host) picked us up at the hotel and took us to Dr. Lorenzana’s office for our final visit before heading home. The doctor took all the stitches out of Doug’s mouth and gave him the final instructions for keeping his new teeth clean. He’ll need to floss and rinse with Listerine, keep his mouth healthy while the implants integrate to his bones. We’ll then come back in about five months for Doug’s permanent crowns.
It’s bittersweet to leave. In the short time we were there we made friends for life, some now are like family. I’m sold on medical tourism as a way to save a whole lot of money and get a vacation in the process. Our original estimate here in the states: 60 thousand dollars. The cost in El Salvador 19 thousand. Add a few thousand for travel expenses and we’re still saving over 30 thousand dollars. Doug’s temporary teeth look like a million bucks. We can’t wait to go back in July.
For more information: www.planethospital.com
Lori Lundin is a News Anchor/Reporter with Fox News Radio
I was teaching in El Salvador almost three years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I told my family in the States, their first reaction was “Catch the first plane home.” Not having insurance in the States, I knew that was not an option. I had a first rate surgeon–Dr. Mario Vega–do the surgery at a state of the art hospital (Hospital de la Mujer). I had no pain, no problems, and I’ll match my bilateral scar against anyone elses!!! Surgery, anesthesiology, nursing, seven days in the hospital all came to under $10,000. Because of the goodness of the school I was teaching in, who worked to keep me on staff the next year, I did almost all my chemotherapy there in El Salvador with an excellent oncologist–Dr. Alvarado Menendez-Leal–but he advised me to travel to Guatemala for the radiation because the clinic had the newest machine. I would recommend any of those involved with my care to others–which is why I used their names! And El Salvador? Yes, there is danger there from the gangs, but the people of El Salvador are the sweetest, friendliest people you will ever come across. There are some surgeries that even doctors there will tell you to go elsewhere for (i.e. my recent hip replacement surgery), but I have no doubt that that will improve as well.
Just wanted to thank you for keeping an open mind about El Salvador, and saying nice things about it from “real” experience.
The media has for a long time portrait this vulnerable country as teeming with gangs, when in reality it is a great outsourcing and beautiful destination with friendly, intelligent, peaceful, and hardworking people waiting to embrace foreigners like no one else.
Through this blog you have simply shown another side of El Salvador that is quite real.
Sounds like you made a sound and smart decision –and had a great time in the process. Kudos to you and those who will surely follow!
I heard El Salvador has some of the best surfing waves in the world too!
I liked your report. Thanks for telling the world how lovely El Salvador really is. I´m lucky to live here; my teeth look great! LOL I hope more people decide to visit us.
I had never heard of Planet Hospital or medical tourism, but I encourage readers to come, whether you do it for the sake of your teeth or just for pleasure. Visit http://www.turismo.com.sv and find out more about El Salvador.
Oh baby…. if that were only the whole story to proper implant therapy. The placement — is only the beginning. You witnessed a complex case. Therefore, complex planning was crucial.
The proof is in the longevity of the completed treatment — not postop discomfort, not bucks. You can do cheap in the States — and get good work. You can do expensive in the States — and get bad work.
Write another article in one- two years. Keep a periodontist involved . Maybe you won. Maybe you didn’t. Point is, your excitement is premature. DcoHo
You can download a dental vacation guide at http://www.meditourz.org
As an annual participant in volunteer medical missions to El Salvador, I can’t help but think of the irony of the situation. As low as the prices are for treatment in El Salvador compared to the United States, they are still far beyond the reach of the average Salvadoran citizen. Thus, the poor in El Salvador often receive dental and other medical care from North American volunteers while the medical professionals in El Salvador see North American patients. Another illustration of the great inequalities in our health care systems.
After reading the comment that Lori London put about the treatment here husband got in El Salvador I agree with here I do think more people are leaving the United States to get better treatment because it sound like they can do a better job just from what you have writted about so far. Hop every thing goes well for you Lori over in El Salvador and take care and keep up the great work for fox news radio.
RE: BABY BORN WITH TWO FACES
Ask for world-class medical services and you’ll find India. Seek the best doctors, hospitals or clinics and you’ll need America’s Medical Solutions which is three Americans living in Bombay. Knock on their door at http://www.americasmedicalsolutions.com and they will open up all of India for you.
Dan
The current scenario in India shows a merging medical expertise and tourism and thus India will soon become the destination of choice for medical tourism/travel.
India has some of the best Hospitals and Medical centers in the world equipped with the medical equipment at par with those in USA, UK and Europe. Indian doctors are considered to be the best in the world. In fact, 1/6th of the doctors in the US are of Indian origin.
Dental tourism is also very popular since one can avail treatments at clinics with state of the art equipment and well trained experienced doctors to match the best international standards. The best part is the cost is about 10-20% of the total cost of the same procedure done in USA and Europe.
No doubt, El Salvador has many advantages that make it a great dental destination but India undeniably has an edge that is quickly making it the leading destination for Medical and Dental tourism/travel.
Deepa RN
http://www.bestmedjourneys.com
Ha ha ha, i laugh at everyone suffering i want them all to go to hell as i bathe in money and avoid politics as much as possible.