MEDITOUR MALAYSIA

MEDITOUR MALAYSIA: Tips For Medical Tourists

2011-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

MEDITOUR MALAYSIA: Tips For Medical Tourists

Tips For Medical Tourists

2011-01-06T02:41:00.000-08:00

Last year I have been helping over a thousand enquiries regarding medical procedures here in Malaysia.
In a great many cases, the patient is extremely well informed regarding what their procedure involves, the different techniques available, their preferred medical centre and even their surgeon of choice!
Others I feel, are looking at phrase, "Medical Tourism" the wrong way round.

Medical Tourism is not a case of, sun, sea, sand and shopping, and, oh yes, fitting in a quick hip replacement while you're at it! You can't have a liposuction in the morning and expect to be lying on the beach in the afternoon. "I'm flying in from Europe next Thursday, can you arrange for me to have my operation on the Friday morning, as I'll be flying back to Europe that night"
Apart from the fact that you are going to be in a certain amount of pain, the risk of infection is extremely high. All surgical procedures are serious. Sitting in a plane for 10 hours with hundreds of other people immediately after operation is not a good idea. Even relatively simple, non invasive cosmetic treatments such as Fraxel, can leave the patient with varying degrees of soreness where exposure to the sun should definitely be avoided.

Here in Malaysia we have fine surgeons, world-class facilities, sophisticated shopping, magnificent beaches and wonderful weather. To take full advantage of all these, the medical tourist should remember that they are here forst and foremost for medical treatment. Recuperation on the beach comes later.

MEDITOUR MALAYSIA: What You Need To Kow About Breast Augmentation

2010-10-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

MEDITOUR MALAYSIA: What You Need To Kow About Breast Augmentation: "Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breas..."

What You Need To Kow About Breast Augmentation

2010-10-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast for a number of reasons:
• To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
• To correct a reduction volume after pregnancy.
• To balance a difference in breast size.
• As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.

THE PROCEDURE
By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman’s bust line by one or more bra cup sizes. If you’re considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure—when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstance. Please ask your surgeon if there is anything you don’t understand about the procedure.

ARE YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause either people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you’re physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

TYPES OF IMPLANTS
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline.

ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
• The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires either removal or “scoring” of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.
• As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.
• A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant. This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.
• Some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive, or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These type symptoms usually disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
• There is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility, pregnancy, or your ability to nurse. If, however, you have nursed a baby within the year before augmentation, you may produce milk for a few days after surgery. This may cause some discomfort, but can be treated with medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak. If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the body. If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one or two things may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around the implant does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar also breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone gel may move into surrounding tissue. The gel may collect in the breast and cause a new scar to form around it, it may migrate to another area of the body. There may be a change in the shape or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking implant. In some cases, it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur.
• A few women with breast implants have reported symptoms similar to diseases of the immune system, such as scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions. These symptoms may include joint pain or swelling, fever, fatigue, or breast pain. So far, research has found no clear link between silicone breast implants and the symptoms of what doctors refer to as “connective-tissue disorders.

While there is no evidence that breast implants causes breast cancer, they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer. When you request a routine mammogram, be sure to go to a radiology centre where technicians are experienced in the special techniques required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant. Additional views will be required. Ultrasound examinations may be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps or evaluate the implant. While the majority of women do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with your physician to make sure you understand the risks and consequences of breast augmentation.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone. If your breasts are sagging, your doctor may also recommend a breast lift. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each. You may want to ask your surgeon for a copy of the manufacturer’s insert that comes with the implant he or she will use—just so you are fully informed about it. And, be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs. Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation to be medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medication. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.

WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Your surgeon may prefer to perform the operation in an office facility. A freestanding surgery centre, or a hospital outpatient facility. Occasionally, the surgery may be done as an inpatient in a hospital, in which case you can plan on staying for a day or two.

TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Breast augmentation can be performed with a general anesthesia, so you’ll sleep through the entire operation. Some surgeons may use a local anesthesia, combines with a sedative to make you drowsy, so you’ll be relaxed but awake, and feel some discomfort.

THE SURGERY
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to ensure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, wither directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples.

Some surgeons believe that putting the implants behind your chest muscle may reduce the potential for capsular contracture. Drainage tubes may be used for several days following the surgery. This placement may also interfere less with breast examination by mammogram than if the implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue. Placement behind the muscle however, may be more painful for a few days after surgery than placement directly under the breast tissue.

The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. Stitches are used to close the incision, which may also be taped for greater support. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY
You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you’ll be up and around in 24 to 48mhours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor. Within several days, the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed, and you may be given a surgical bra. You should wear it as directed by your surgeon. You may also experience a burning sensation in you nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades. The swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear.

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required fro your job. Follow your surgeon’s advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as discussed earlier.

YOUR NEW LOOK
For many women, the result of breast augmentation can be satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance.

Regular examination by your plastic surgeon and routine mammograms for those in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help assure that any complications, if they occur, can be detected early and treated.

Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you’ve met your goals, then your surgery is a success.

Are You Too Old For Cosmetic Surgery?

2010-07-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Age could be a factor in whether your surgeon thinks you are a suitable candidate. Your age may greatly up the risk and make the outcome less successful. Although all individuals vary – generally the older you are the more risks you can expect from cosmetic surgery. It’s unlikely to be simple age discrimination that makes your doctor turn you down for cosmetic surgery – the decision is bound to be made on a medical basis.

Your cosmetic surgeon will know that many men and women over the age of fifty have physical conditions which put up a red flag as far as surgery is concerned.

High blood pressure is one – or the early signs of heart disease another. You may have an underlying medical condition that your surgeon knows makes cosmetic surgery more dangerous and less likely to succeed.

It doesn’t mean that you will automatically be considered high risk if you are well past middle age. Aging doesn’t necessarily mean poor health but we all know that as we get older our body changes and we are more likely to suffer from certain conditions.

What matters most for the safety of any surgical procedure is how healthy you are overall. Plastic surgery is a big challenge to your body and your cosmetic surgeon needs to assess this before agreeing to take you as a patient.

For this reason if you’re over 50 you are going to be assessed more thoroughly than someone in their 30’s or 40’s. Your surgeon will look at your detailed medical history – you’ll have a full physical examination and lab tests. Whatever you do – don’t try to cheat. Tell your physician the full facts about your state of health and disclose all pre-existing medical conditions.

Cosmetic surgery isn’t necessarily out for women well into their 50’s and 60’s – lots of women do it. But there are other age related issues you should consider even if you do emerge from the pre-op evaluation as fit and healthy.

Recovery time over 50 will be longer and may involve more discomfort as the rate of healing slows with age. For some cosmetic procedures skin elasticity will be an issue. If you have liposuction skin may sag after the excess fat has been removed and you may need further corrective surgery.

Cell renewal rate slows with age and you have to bear in mind that – whatever cosmetic surgery procedure you have done – it’s not likely to last as long as it would have done when you were younger.

You may be ready for cosmetic surgery in your 50’s – but what about your 60’s and beyond?

It’s in your interests to take all these things into account before deciding to go for cosmetic surgery. Above all – If you consult a board certified cosmetic surgeon and you don’t get medical clearance to have surgery – accept it. Trying to find second and third opinions to make your case may put your health and life at risk.

If you’re starting cosmetic surgery later in life – ask yourself how long you’re going to go on for. After all at some point – we all have to accept the inevitable!

How To Regain Your Youthful Body Contour

2010-06-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Excess weight and obesity have become a significant healthcare issue affecting millions of people worldwide. If you are currently carrying extra weight you can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases or conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and sleep apnea and It can also affect you emotionally.

Regain Your Youthful Body Contour
Loose the excessive weight gradually. According to research if individuals can succeed at maintaining their weight loss for at least two years, they can reduce their risk of subsequent regain by nearly forty cent. Thus, if you want to lose weight and successfully keep the weight off, aim for long-term! Drastic weight loss over a short period of time (eg. 10-20 kg over 2 weeks) as promised by some quick-fix weight loss programmes is unlikely to be sustained over time. Large weight losses in a short time are usually followed by larger weight gain.
Different body sculpting treatments as well as approved medication can work together in synergy to make that perfect body achievable for every patient without the pain of surgery.

Stubborn Fat
Localized fat deposits are areas where fat is accumulated and does not disappear with diet and exercise. They are found at the face, jowl, neck, arm, abdomen, back, thigh and hip areas. They can be aggravated by the aging process, hormonal changes, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and slow metabolism conditions.

There are several technology such as Mesotherapy, Micro-current therapy, Radio Frequency, etc, to achieve good results. However, regular exercise and healthy lifestyle will still be the fundamental of any weight management program.

Give Disfiguring Scars A Permanent Holiday

2010-04-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Scars whether the result of an accident, surgery, a burn, or acne once formed will be permanent however it can be made less visible by plastic surgery.

Treatment of acne scars and surgical scars requires both the removal of damaged skin and the production of new collagen to improve the area’s tone and texture. Traditional approaches—such as deep chemical peeling, conventional lasers, topical agents and abrasion therapies—usually achieve only moderate results or, worse, they destroy a lot of healthy tissue along with the scar. In addition, these treatments often require extensive recovery time.

Unlike other procedures, Fraxel Laser treatment removes damaged skin on the surface and reaches deep into the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling. In this way, Fraxel treatment improves the elasticity, texture and tone of your damaged skin while keeping your healthy tissue intact—which minimizes any discomfort or downtime.

Contact MediTourMalaysia to arrange for an advance treatment of accident, surgical and acne scars in Malaysia.

Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures

2010-03-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

What Are Cosmetic Surgery And Procedures?

Cosmetic surgery and procedures are techniques that change, restore, or enhance your appearance. There are many reasons for changing or enhancing your looks. Suffering from burns or other trauma, being born with a birth defect, or wanting to "improve" parts of the body are all motivations for having cosmetic surgery and procedures.

What Are The General Types Of Cosmetic Surgery And Procedures?

Cosmetic surgery generally includes:

Reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is typically performed to improve a noticeable scar, skin condition, or malformed body part caused by injury, surgery, disease, or a birth defect. These conditions can have a strong impact on your day-to-day life, affecting social, employment, and recreational opportunities as well as your self-esteem.
Elective cosmetic surgery. You may seek cosmetic surgery if you are unhappy with some aspect of your appearance, such as a large nose, small breasts, wrinkles, or “love handles.” These kinds of flaws don't bother everyone who has them—some people wouldn't consider them flaws at all—but, for some people, these things can affect self-image and confidence. Cosmetic surgery is one way to address them.

Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures typically include those that enhance your appearance, such as Botox injections to smooth wrinkles, laser resurfacing to improve acne scars, or sclerotherapy injections for small varicose veins and spider veins.

Why Are Cosmetic Surgery And Procedures Done?

For most of us, whether we like it or not, physical appearance influences how we see ourselves and how others see us. The size, shape, and look of our bodies may affect how we feel about ourselves and, in some cases, how we function. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change the way you look. Some people do this through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Some have cosmetic surgery, especially if they are unhappy with a specific aspect of their body or appearance that surgery can change.

Are There Risks Involved?

The decision to have cosmetic surgery should not be taken lightly. Surgery always involves some level of risk. Complications can occur. There is no guarantee that you will get the results you want. Talk with your doctor to measure the possible benefits of cosmetic surgery against the possible problems or dangers that could result from surgery.

Are Cosmetic Surgery And Procedures Right For Me?

For people who are unhappy with their overall appearance rather than just a specific aspect of their appearance, cosmetic surgery is probably not the answer. They are unlikely to be satisfied with the results of a single cosmetic surgery procedure and may fall into a pattern of having one procedure after another, which can be risky and damaging to the body as well as quite costly. It is important to have realistic expectations about how cosmetic surgery may or may not affect your life. Appearance is only a small part of who you are.

You should also consider your overall health when thinking about cosmetic surgery. All procedures have some risk of complications. Having a health condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease may increase the risk. Talk to your doctor if your are thinking of having a cosmetic procedure or surgery.

Surgery Options

You may have several cosmetic surgery or procedure options to enhance or restore your appearance. Talking with your doctor can help you choose the option that best fits your needs.

Common Cosmetic Procedures

Laser resurfacing uses a laser light to heat, damage, or destroy the upper layers of the skin. This can tighten the skin or cause new skin to grow. It is typically used to remove or improve the appearance of wrinkles, brown spots, shallow scars (from acne, surgery, or trauma), and sometimes, the appearance of small veins. Lasers also can be used to remove unwanted hair. Tattoos are removed with surgery or a laser that breaks down the color into fragments. These fragments are removed by your immune system.
Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin, allowing new skin to grow. It is most often used to remove wrinkles, superficial skin growths, shallow scars, pigment changes in the skin, and other skin problems.
Dermabrasion uses a fine wire brush or a diamond wheel with rough edges to remove the upper layers of the skin, allowing new skin to grow. It may be used to treat acne scars and wrinkles around the mouth or to treat an enlarged nose (rhinophyma) caused by rosacea (facial inflammation and redness).
Collagen and other filler injections are used to smooth wrinkles or pitted scars in the skin. They are also used to make the lips fuller. When injected under the skin, a filler raises or puffs up that area. This goes away with time.
Botox injections use a protein that weakens the muscles of the face to reduce wrinkles. The effect is temporary, lasting 3 to 4 months on average.
Sclerotherapy reduces or removes the appearance of small varicose veins and spider veins. In sclerotherapy, a chemical is injected into a vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, which causes the vein to close.
Electrolysis permanently removes unwanted hair such as facial hair. In electrolysis, an electric current is applied to the hair root, which heats and destroys the hair follicle. Hair is not able to grow back in this area.
Medical tattooing uses tattoo ink to change the look of a medical problem. For example, it can be used after breast surgery to create the look of a darker nipple and areola. Medical tattooing can also be used to darken white skin patches (vitiligo) and scarred skin.

Common Cosmetic Surgeries

Face-lift (rhytidectomy) removes excess skin and fat and tightens the muscles to smooth the face. Improvement is especially seen along the jawline and in the neck.
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) removes excess skin, fat, and muscles from the eyelids to correct drooping eyelids and remove bags and puffiness. Surgery may be done on the upper and lower lids.
"Nose job" (rhinoplasty) reshapes the nose by removing or rearranging its cartilage and bones. Rhinoplasty is done to change the appearance of your nose, improve breathing and nasal function, or achieve a combination of both.
Breast enlargement (augmentation) places an implant under the breast tissue or the chest muscle to make the breast larger.
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue and skin to reshape and lift the breast. Women may seek breast reduction to change their appearance, reduce back pain, and reduce limitations of activities caused by large breasts.
Liposuction uses suction to remove stubborn fat that has not gone away with a healthy weight loss diet and exercise. For women, this can be on the outer or inner thighs, neck, upper arms, belly, knees, and hips. For men, this can be on the waist, belly, neck, breasts, or back. The purpose of liposuction is to reshape the area rather than to reduce body weight. If you are trying to lose weight, it is not a substitute for exercise and a balanced diet. If you regain weight after having liposuction, the fatty bulges that were removed may return.
"Tummy tuck" (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens abdominal muscles. When a large weight loss or several pregnancies leave behind extra folds of skin, some people use this surgery for a flatter, smoother stomach. As with liposuction, the purpose of a tummy tuck is to reshape the area rather than to reduce body weight.
Varicose vein surgery removes large varicose veins. During varicose vein surgery, an incision is made over the varicose vein, and the vein is tied off and either left in place or removed.
Hair transplantation surgery reduces the appearance of bald spots or hair loss by moving hair from one part of the head to another.

Although death is very rare after liposuction, a tummy tuck, or any cosmetic surgery, it can happen. If you are having a large amount of fat removed, are obese, have more than one procedure done at the same time, or have health problems, your risks go up. You may be watched closely for several hours or overnight after liposuction or a tummy tuck. Staying in the hospital is sometimes best.

Malaysia - Your Preferred Health & Medical Destination

2010-01-28T00:04:00.000-08:00

Why MALAYSIA should be your preferred health and medical destination

Medical expertise in Malaysia ranks among the best in the world and most private hospitals in the country have internationally recognized quality standards. These include the MS ISO9002 or accreditation by the Malaysian Medical Society for Quality of Health (MSQH). All private medical centers must be approved and licensed by the Ministry of Health.

Malaysia’s growing reputation as a preferred health and medical destination sees it welcoming visitors from around the world seeking remedies for a range of medical needs. These include both critical health services as well as cosmetic and remedial care.

Medical Facilities at Competitive Prices

Medical Facilities at Competitive prices compared to countries like the UK and US.
Healthcare tourism packages offer medical tourists world-class medical facilities at affordable prices.

State-of-the- Art Healthcare Facilities

Most private hospitals and healthcare facilities are well-equipped with the state-of-the-art amenities.
Medical centres have extensive diagnostic and therapeutic resources such as endoscopic suites, haemodialysis centres, magnetic resonance imaging facilities (MRI), cardiac catheterisation facilities and much more.

Highly Qualified Medical Professionals

Most hospitals and healthcare facilities are staffed by well-experienced and highly qualified English-speaking medical professionals with extensive international qualifications and are supported by an equally efficient group of English-speaking paramedic staff.

Affordable and Easy Accommodation

Most private hospitals in Malaysia offer accommodation to their patients, ranging from comfortable rooms to luxurious suites with personal butlers and full-time nurses.
Sleep-in facilities for patients’ travelling companions are also provided by some hospitals. The cost of accommodation is pretty reasonable and that allows most foreign patients to avail themselves to luxurious suites.
They can also arrange comfortable accommodation for their travelling partners.

Tourism – The Best Part of Healthcare Tourism Malaysia

Patients have the opportunity to enjoy sightseeing and other tourist activities during their recuperation and convalescence
Visits can be made to Malaysia’s beautiful beaches since some medical centres are located at popular beach or tourist locations.
Indeed, for most patients, taking in a bit of sightseeing or going on a shopping spree could stimulate a quick recovery!