Surgery in Taiwan

[Feiren]

I have a retired surgeon friend here. He has had an operation in Taiwan. Said the standards were good.

He did however mention that the Chinese in the ward with him had less satisfactory attention and less than perfect pain management.

Yes, the nursing staff has some strange ideas about pain management. The doctors at NTU hospital have an excellent pain management programs though you have to pay more for the self-controlled pain management. Get it. It's worth it, and don't put up with any old-fashioned ideas from the nursing staff.

[Ironman]

The doctors at NTU hospital have an excellent pain management programs though you have to pay more for the self-controlled pain management. Get it. It's worth it, and don't put up with any old-fashioned ideas from the nursing staff.

I am an expert on operations. I was in on life support 5 years ago then slowly rebuilt.

I hated the drugs while the guy in the bed two stops up kept yelling out for more. He was a junkie.

I later learned that if you don't keep on top of the pain then it is hard later to get a level of relief. Pay for one of those self help things. I had that a few times. It wont dose you to close together if you keep pushing the button so is quite safe.

On a lighter note here are some stories of people who operate on themselves. http://sroka.paulsfunhouse.com/sbs16.html

[canucktyuktuk]

Anybody know of a vein specialist in Taipei area? I have had a large chunk of vein removed from my right leg in Canada because it was varicose and bothering me, and now the part that my BC medical wouldn't pay for because they though it was for esthetic reasons is bothering me. It's pretty minor surgery and I'll pay for it. Just need to find a specialist.

[Elegua]

Healthcare system here excellent?!?

I see doctors make decision every day based purely upon their own economic benefit. The infection control here is about the poorest I've seen and the misdiagnosis rate very high. It's not all the doctor's fault, the reimbursement system plays a part and so does the lack of gatekeeper.
Yes, some of that happens in the US and other places, but not ever remotely at the same level.

Taiwan healthcare covers 96% of the population yet Taiwan healthcare spend is a lower portion of GDP than any other nationalized healthcare system - about on par with Mexico. So....where do you think they are saving the money? Well, one they do it through re-sterilization of disposable items.

[BabaYaga]

I'm also a survivor of an inguinal hernia operation. IMO it went excellent. I had it done at the Cathay Hospital in Hsinchu, it didn't cost me and arm and a leg and I had the best care. I even had my own private ward! After two weeks I was perfectly recovered and I haven't had any problems during the 10 months since the operation. One thing though, I went for weekly reflexology after the operation to help with the recovery process, so I don't know how much that contributed to my current state of health.

[Ecaps]

I had surgery to repair a shattered bone two years back as a result of a traffic accident. The quality of the surgery and follow-up was excellent. All of my questions about rehab and timelines were answered carefully.

However, if I never stay in another trauma unit for the rest of my life, it will be too late. Next time (hopefully there isn't a next time) I'm springing for a private room.

Ecaps

[Lord Lucan]

and the Adventist doctor was without question the worst medical professional I have ever encountered (more to do with his attitude then his skill, he just did not give a sh**).

I also had an unpleasant experience with a doctor at the Adventist. The arrogant little bastard ended up wanting to have a fight with me in the corridor. Unfortunately I had a broken hand... The nurse from their "Priority Care Centre"* whisked me away before the doctor could do any damage.

*This is where you pay thousands of NT to jumpt the queue. Same crappy apathetic "I'm just a drug salesman" doctors, you just jump the queue.

I have posted a rant on post-operative pain management and one on expat private medical insurance.

[Huang Guang Chen]

Heeding Lord Lucan's warnings elsewhere on post-op pain, post-op pain management is the first question I'm aiming at any dentist I plan to allow to perform hideous tasks on me. Actuallly, pre-during and post comfort will be discussed.

It's sound advice. I plan to be comfortably numb for a week at least when I get my teeth done in Thailand (just decided).

HG

[Juba]

My inguinal (groin) hernia disappeared after three weeks, thanks to my DIY treatment invoving fasting, change of diet and yoga. I have just returned from Beijing armed with three months' supply of herbal medicine for hernia and a hernia belt containing herbal medicine (supposed to be absorbed through the skin.) I have found out a lot about non-surgical approaches to hernia. Since the information available is dispersed here and there and much of it is in Chinese, I intend to set up a web site on the subject and maybe even write a book about it.

...I will be looking forward to that Juba...

I have been a bit slow doing this. My web site is here . It has been up for a while, but only my brother has joined so far

[StevenCrook]

I'm also a survivor of an inguinal hernia operation. IMO it went excellent. I had it done at the Cathay Hospital in Hsinchu (Xinzhu), it didn't cost me and arm and a leg and I had the best care. I even had my own private ward! After two weeks I was perfectly recovered and I haven't had any problems during the 10 months since the operation. One thing though, I went for weekly reflexology after the operation to help with the recovery process, so I don't know how much that contributed to my current state of health.

My son (just over 2) had an inguinal hernia op earlier in the summer. It went very well and we're happy with the pre-op, the op itself, and the follow up. It's a very standard procedure.