Complications with out of country surgeries?

Has anyone had post-op complications when the surgery was out of the country? If so, how did you handle it? Did you have to fly back? Was it difficult getting treatment? Also, how common are post op complications with PS?

Thanks for any help or advice offered

Nancy

Excellant question. I would like to know as well. I will be staying for 2 weeks after my procedures - but I think you are referring to when we get home.

My PCP will be following me in case of any infections or minor issues when I get back - but what if I need additional surgery?

Very good question.

Linda

Hi Nancy, I am not sure how 'common' complications are but I also was worried about what to do if I had complications. I communicated with my PS on where the nearest hospital was and what our plan of action was. I registered with the American Embassy so they knew I was here too. As for when I get home, I have a PS there that is willing to do minor complications like drains, stitches, seromas and such but it does come with a $250 visit cost. Kaiser said they would not do PS followup care but would not turn me away if something was going wildly wrong. Hope this helps a little.

Tammy

It does help. Thanks so much!

Nancy

Nancy, complications from plastic surgery can show up some times months and even years from the date of surgery. As others stated on their responses, it would be a good idea to have someone locally that can help you with any issues. I was lucky to have my PS covered by my insurance but I often wondered if any complications resulting form it would be covered by insurance if the surgery was not approved by them. The feedback I received from my insurance company was that each claim filed will be reviewed on it's own merit and a decision on coverage can not be made until the claim is filed. Your regular  health insurance plan might have provisions for these type of situations. Physicians or Hospitals should not refuse care to a patient in need simply due to the fact that the surgery was outside of the country.

Absolutely.  Nobody will refuse care if there were any kind of emergency.  The idea, however, is to have those preventative followups so you cna head off those little problems before they become big problems.

Agreed.  I can't imagine any insurance refusing med. cov'g due to complications just bec. it was done elsewhere, nor would a hospital.  A complication is an emergency.  To go to an extreme, if your emergency was caused by your attempt of suicide, then of course all cov'g would be included.  Infections, all problems associated with your surgery, are unexpected and would seem impossible to "exclude".   

I talked to my PCP at my annual physical and he said he would see me immediately for any post op complications once I come home as well as recommend a PS nearby if necessary.

Hi slowgoing....well I didnt say it right.  No doctor will refuse care in an emergency, but insurance may well refuse to pay, leaving you with some serious bills.

Those travelling can hopefully fill you in on what they did to arrange for their care after they came home, and also let you know about their insurance coverage or financial arrangements.

Travel within the country for surgery imposes more risk and burdens reagrding your aftercare, and travel out of the country adds to those issues.

I'd just like to chime in that even if you don't travel out of the country you can face some challenges without using a local surgeon.  I LOVE MY SURGEON!  I drive almost 2 hrs to see him.  If he was a 15 or 30 mins drive from me I would have gone to him 2 days for help freeing the clogged drain.  But because it is a about 5-6 hr event (travel time back and forth, wait time, time with surgeon) I am waiting until tomorrow for my scheduled appointment.  It's a simple fix and will probably only take him 5 mins to do it but because I am not local I have to wait.  Thankfully this is not a MAJOR issue like incision lines opening up (OH MY) but I can't imagine how I would big problems if I had to fly to another state or country.    There are always "issues" after surgery.....some are minor, some the patient can handle on their own, but some are bigger or potential big problems..  At one time I was going to travel but it didn't work out for me.....in hindsight for me I am glad I ended up staying pretty local.

Just something to think about.

Best wishes to you!