Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should I use Surgery Abroad International, as opposed to using other medical Tourism operators or individual surgeons who are advertising themselves?
A. Surgery Abroad International is your one stop gateway to medical facilities abroad. We can offer direct, fast access to the best and most experienced specialists and surgeons Europe and India has to offer, as well as a great variety of procedures.

We have total support and commitment from the major private hospital groups and many private clinics. All the procedures we offer are elective, which means that you decide what to have done and when to do it (possibly following the advice of your family doctor). What’s more, we only use qualified surgeons and specialists with impeccable clinical credentials and proven experience.

Nowadays it’s not difficult to find a variety of medical tourist opportunities but many are limited in the scope of their service. Surgeons and hospitals advertising privately are unlikely to have the ability or desire, to arrange the first class accommodation or holiday packages that our clients enjoy so much. They can find it difficult to bridge the gap between countries and often aren’t able to assist with travel arrangements, escorts, visas and many other vital areas. Besides, we have found that the best surgeons don ’t need to advertise their services!

It’s also worth mentioning that all our surgeons and specialists are board certified and fully qualified medical specialists in their field. Here at Surgery Abroad International, we have taken the legwork and uncertainty out of finding the quality of care that we would want for our own families.

Q. Can I speak directly with the surgeon before I book my surgery?
A. Yes, a personal consultation can be arranged by telephone, video conference or e-mail with your surgeon. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like and have your medical history information with you.

Q. Can I have more than one surgery /procedure during the same trip?
A. Of course this is a possibility to discuss with your doctor. Many clients take full advantage of the low costs of all medical abroad and receive as many services as possible such as comprehensive medical exams including, MRI, full cardio work up, dental, lasik, botox etc.

Q. I have been told not to go abroad because of the high risks associated?
A. Surgery has inherent risks and complications no matter where you are. The most important aspect to receiving the best treatment possible is choosing the best doctor and facility. SAIL investigates every facet of a surgeon's credentials and practice to ensure that you have the best choices available to you. Our process for choosing doctors take an average of three months; we have their CV for you to look at and we actually visit their facilities and watch them doing the surgery. We also see the clinic or hospitals yearly audits on infection and mortality rates.

Q. What services does SAIL offer?
A. We offer assistance in finding a surgeon or specialist that is right for you in a country of your choice. We provide information and act as a liaison on your behalf with the hospitals and clinics. We also offer travel arrangements and accommodation at a hotel of your choice, transfers to and from the airport and medical consultations. We can also provide a mobile phone during your stay and will be available 24/7 while you are there.

Q. Why use SAIL instead of going directly to a hospital or surgeon abroad?
A. This is one of the most important questions. First of all, SAIL is run by doctors and Nurses. We understand what you expect in medical services. Choosing to work with SAIL will ensure you have immediate access to the best and most experienced specialists. We meet and interview every doctor and facility thoroughly to provide you with any information necessary prior to your arrival. Our local knowledge of where to shop, visit, the best beaches and tours will make your stay much more enjoyable. Secondly, the prices we have negotiated with the hospitals, clinics, surgeons and hotel are always lower than should you go direct.

Q. How do I get started?
A. Complete and return to us the Enquiry Form. We will contact you if we require any further information. We will then forward you a quote and once you have chosen to use our company and which country you wish to have your treatment in, we send you a medical questionnaire to complete and return to us. We then contact the hospital and consultant of your choice. They generally respond to us within 24 hours. All communication of a clinical nature (including your surgeon's initial assessment of your suitability to undergo the procedure you are requesting) will be through us. Please note that your surgeon may require you to e-mail digital photos of the applicable areas that you require surgery as part of the initial assessment. Close liaison between us will be necessary to coordinate your trip and treatment and ensure that everything lives up to your expectations.

Q. How is payment handled for the trip and the surgery?
A. Your air tickets, hotels and deposit for surgery must be paid in advance through SAIL. We will be pleased to provide you specific payment information once you have decided on the hospital and choice of travel date.

Q. What is your Privacy Policy?
A. Your personal information is only provided to the hospital/ surgeon and your local assistant on a "need to know" basis. To ensure that you are well looked after during your recuperation period, SAIL will inform your hotel that you have undergone a "surgical procedure". No further details will be divulged unless necessary and with your permission. Your information will not be released to any third parties, period.

Q. I’ve heard that India has a lot of poverty; doesn’t that make it a risky place to go for medical care?
A. Let’s be honest – unless you've been to India, it’s easy to be swayed by some of the stories that we hear. The reality is that, whilst India does have many areas affected by poverty, they also cater for some of the largest tourist numbers in the world. All the facilities that we use are built in a fashion that makes them seem more like palaces than hospitals.

Marble, stone and other high quality materials are abundant and facilities are unbelievably spotless, which is more than can be said for many UK NHS hospitals. Infection rates are far lower than those in England and with an abundance of qualified healthcare professionals; staff shortages like those found in the UK NHS are unheard of.

Q. So why is it so cheap, what’s the catch?
A. It’s worth clarifying this point – what may seem ‘cheap’ to us in the UK or USA, is simply value for money in Europe and India. Although wages and equipment costs are less, it’s still the same equipment and the same qualifications that you benefit from. We help you to access these facilities, whilst ensuring you have all the support you could need with the organisation.

Q. My partner can’t travel with me and I’m not sure about going alone?
A. We can arrange a suitable escort for clients who require or request one at an additional cost. We are also more than happy to meet any friends or relatives who may want information to help them decide on whether to accompany you.

Q. Where do my doctor and hospital consultant fit into the picture?
A. It is vital that if you are being treated by your doctor and hospital consultant that you inform them of your intention to have treatment abroad. We will ask for information from your doctor(s) anyway, so it is important that they have input into the situation.

Having said that, if your doctor isn’t involved (which is often the case with cosmetic surgery), you’ll be referred to one of our specialists here in the UK. This ensures that you have someone with whom to discuss your medical care; confirm if there are any reasons that might prevent you being able to have your chosen procedure, and give you peace of mind that you are clear about the results you should - and should not – expect.

This pre-operative care with qualified specialists is very important to us at Surgery Abroad International. We want to be certain that you receive as much support and information as you feel you need; this practice also prevents any problems once you are abroad. By engaging consultants in the UK, Europe and India, we really lead the way in standards of international medical care.

Q. So how does it actually work then?
A. Here are a few simple steps to outline what you can expect to happen following your enquiry:

• You send us your enquiry which contains certain details. You can call us or just use our enquiry form.
• We identify a suitable doctor, hospital and location, based on your details and requests.
• We supply the doctor(s) with all the required information.
• We finalize your treatment choice(s).
• We discuss additional options with you, such as choice of hotel and any other holiday activities.
• All arrangements are finalized, you receive your quote and pay a deposit if you wish to go ahead.
• You pay the final balance prior to departure.
• You travel to your chosen country, with every aspect of your trip arranged.
• We arrange a consultation with your medical specialist.
• You undergo your procedure and take some time to recuperate, if required.
• You can enjoy the rest of your stay in your chosen country.
• Time to go home and reflect on your amazing experiences, not to mention adjusting to the positive changes from your chosen medical treatment.

Q. What about my care when I return home?
A. We can include a consultation with a UK specialist after your return. This is to make sure that any concerns can be addressed immediately. Any procedures that have a longer term implication (such as heart surgery) will be managed by your own doctor or hospital consultant, with any assistance they may need from us. Of course, you’ll be a Surgery Abroad International customer for life, and part of a rapidly growing family of clients that have had their lives improved immensely by experiencing world class medical care.

Q. Do I need to worry about travelling after surgery?
A. After you have had surgery you need to think carefully about your plans; travelling for some distance in a car, bus, train or plane immediately after surgery is generally considered unwise by surgeons.

Long journeys by any mode of transport (including by car) immediately after surgery may increase the potential risk of developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots.

So, plan to remain at the location where you have chosen for your surgery for a short while afterwards; generally it is considered safe five to ten days before flying depending upon the type of surgery; discuss this with your Surgery Abroad Representative.

Surgery Abroad advise you that if you do not use our company to be wary of clinics that seem to be in a hurry to discharge back home as quickly. On no account attempt to drive home after leaving a hospital, as well as not being completely fit due to pain and anaesthesia effects, etc, you may find that you are also not insured to drive.

Also think carefully before agreeing to surgery that involves a long haul flight of over 4 hours; discuss the travel with your representative and make sure that you are happy with the amount of recovery time you have been advised to take prior to flying.

Give yourself plenty of time to recuperate and recover and stay-put just after surgery. After all, it’s only for a few days.

Post-Operative Activities
You are unlikely to feel like doing much just after surgery. The chances are you are going to be bruised, swollen and probably sore; some procedures than others. Whether in the United Kingdom or abroad; the emphasis after surgery should be on relaxation and recuperation. Being pampered after your procedure is a very good idea. You really must be sensible about your postoperative plans.

Plan to rest (not in bed); plan to pamper yourself; plan to live the “good-life” for a short while, but above all, don’t over do it.