MEDICAL TOURISM IN KOREA | Traveling USA to Korea for LASIK
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Medical tourism is a growing industry all over the world, but especially for Americans. With high healthcare costs and long wait times to see doctors, many like ourselves are opting to travel overseas for procedures, especially elective procedures such as LASIK. Chris has wanted LASIK for years, and while we're in Korea, we decided to splurge on LASIK in Korea since the financial savings are significant! We had such an amazing experience with the doctor and the entire practice he had his eye surgery at, and we'd 100% do it all again. Would you travel overseas for medical tourism? Let us know in the comments!
👀 The eye clinic that did Chris' LASIK in Seoul: ilovebgss.com/global/ExpatKor...
0:00 Introduction
0:29 What is Medical Tourism
1:19 Going to BGSS
2:29 Eye Exam
7:34 Getting LASIK surgery
10:38 LASIK Recovery
11:00 LASIK Eye Test
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== A B O U T U S ==
Hey y'all! We're Chris + Sara (or as you know us, Let’s Be Us), a husband and wife digital nomad travel duo currently working and traveling full time with our pup, Kramer. We've always dreamed of traveling full time, and in May of 2018 we took the leap and made it happen! Today we're balancing work and fun everywhere between the Pacific and Atlantic. From hiking and cycling to tacos and coffee, we're trying to see and experience as much of this world as we can! While our home is currently on wheels in our DIY Sprinter van, our travels take us all around the world.
Be sure to hit subscribe here on CZcams and follow along on Instagram for more daily fun! Oh, and be sure to say hi while you're here. :)
![KOREAN FOOD TOUR (Gwangjang Market) - [한국어 자막] 🇰🇷](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gpGwwA_v9ao/mqdefault.jpg)
Most Americans don’t know how insane the medical experience is in South Korea. It’s as if you paid for an economy flight and got the full vip treatment in the first class.
🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷
I lived in Korea almost 15 years ago, and it was still more advanced than it is here in the US now in 2022.
As a Korean living in Canada, my biggest complaint about Canada is the medical care system. The medical service in Canada is free, and that's a good thing. But from my perspective who experienced the medical service in South Korea which is not entire free, Canadian medical service is failing. If you get sick, you either naturally cured or die while waiting. Even if you have symptoms of cancer, you still have to wait weeks and months or even years to get tests and surgery. The system just leaves you alone while your cancer grows from stage 1 to 2, or stage 2 to 3, or even to 4. By the time you get your surgery schedule, it's too late and you die. In South Korea, you can get tested and get a surgery in a matter of weeks. It's not entire free, but the government health care covers around 80~90% of the cost. Free Medicine is a fantasy. It doesn't work when you really really need it for your life. Also, prescription medicine and dental care is very affordable in South Korea.
It is so true!
I can never imagine waiting for hospital when sick here in Korea. Whether it is a big hospital or a small clinic, we can meet doctors whenever I want. I think this is the true universal healthcare that all countries should have.
@@user-qn7dy4sp4k 이건 100퍼 사실은 아니고요 한국에서도 대형병원의 환자 많은 과들은 몇 개월정도 검사/수술 기다리는 경우 많습니다.. 심지어 몇 년 치 예약이 꽉 차 있는 의사들도 있어요.
@@almondunsweet 아니고요. 그건 서울대병원이나 아산병원 등 특정 초대형병원만을 고집하기 때문이고 대학병원 상관없이 간다면 그렇게 오랫동안 기다릴 일은 전혀 없습니다. 최남단에서 최북단까지 3시간이면 가는 나라에서 대학병원 선택지는 수도없이 많고요. 그렇다고 다른 대학병원들이 서울대병원이나 아산병원에 비해 실력이 떨어지나? 그렇지도 않고요. 외국을 한번도 안나가보신 것 같은데 한국 의료시스템에 감사하며 사세요, 이런 나라 한국이 거의 유일무이합니다.
@@almondunsweet 그건 대학병원만 고집할때 경우고 병세가 악화되기전에 그냥 집앞에 병원 가서 진료 받을수 있다는게 엄청 좋은건데
Plus the surgeons in Korea are seriously are on top of their game in Lasik and Lasek because they just have done so many… and also in dentistry.
Yeah same goes to plastic surgery and also same with all other subjects cuz medical procedure is cheap, it is affordable for normal citizens and korean doctors do so many procedures everyday.
They also had issues with ghost surgeons.
@@Coz131 This its know for that
They just came out with a report that alot of more complications and cases arises from these places due to lower policies and regulations unlike North America. Listed was China, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey , Columbia.
@@TheDenizxo that's not entirely true they also put North America in there for lasik
Even without the national health insurance, the cost and the speed of all the medical procedures are much better for all the foreigners who live in North America.
I was traveling South Korea about 5-6 years ago, and on the second day of the trip, I started to feel some discomfort around my left inguinal area.
So I went to the nearest lapriscopic specialized surgery clinic to check it out. The doc who treated me told me that I got a left side inguinal hernia so he recommended me to get a surgery before I take my flight back to the U.S. I was only planning to stay in Korea for 4 weeks so I was in shock. I wasn't expecting the situation that I was gonna get sick in another country.
I asked them about the cost first, and they said since I don't have the national health insurance, it'll be around $1500.00 for me. I was like for real? without the insurance? and they were like yes, and I can go back to my hotel the same day as soon as I get my surgery, and recommended me to stay another 2-3 weeks in Korea and monitor myself, let them know asap if anything serious happens. So the hospital scheduled me a lapriscopic surgery date the same day that I was seen by the doc, and the surgery was 3 days after that day. 3 freakin days ladies&gents.
So I got the surgery, recovered 100%, stayed another 50 days in Korea, came back to the States.
I have a pretty good coverage in the U.S. so I wouldn't have had to pay anything for the cost of the same surgery if I were in the U.S. at the time. However it would've taken at least like 2-3 months for my insurance to schedule my surgery date, and it would've been like at least $30,000-$50,000 surgery back in the U.S.
I think the Korean national health insurance system is what the U.S. must strive for. You make more, you pay more insurance fee. You make less, you pay less insurance fee. So the country can cover every single citizen when they're sick. Since that moment, I've been preparing myself to move to Korea as soon as I retire in the next 8-9 years. I'll probably get sick more often when I get older and USA is absolutely not the country that I'd spend my 60s and 70s.
Of course the Korean national health insurance agency has been facing some difficulties with the budget, due to the low birth rate and the super-aging transformation in Korea.
However it's a system that other countries around the world must learn from this country.
It's really, really difficult to just move to Korea as a foreigner, so keep that in mind. I lived there for a couple years, but I had to be an English teacher to do it. They're pretty strict about their visas.
I am a Korean living in the United States. Korea has the best medical system in the world, but I think the US is better in other things. That's why I live in America. If you get sick while living in the U.S., I think it is a wise choice to go to Korea.
I have Kaiser insurance, but when I get very sick, I go to Korea.
@@ethanryu6551그 좋은 미국에서 제발 돌아오지 말아주세요. 당신 같은 사람들 때문에 한국의 의료 보험제도가 더 엄격하게 바뀌길 바랍니다.
@@chanyong1 뭔가 심각하게 오해를 하고 계신것 같습니다. 저는 미국에 살고 있지만 아직 한국인입니다...만, 한국 정부에서 정한 법에 따라 저는 '해외거주등록'을 한 상태입니다. 그에 따라서 저는 한국 건강보험에 가입될 수 없습니다. 한국 건강보험에 가입 하려면 최소한 6개월 이상 한국에 거주해야 합니다. 그 말은, 미국 영주권을 포기해야 한다는 말입니다. 제가 한국에서 받는 의료 서비스는 모두 비급여(비보험)으로 받습니다. 물론, 그래도 미국보다 훨씬 저렴합니다. 특히, 치과치료의 경우 저렴한 엑스레이나 신경치료 제외한 나머지는 보험 적용이 되지 않아 내국인과의 비용이 크게 차이 나지 않습니다.
한국에서 큰 비용이 드는 암이나 다른 질환 같은 경우는 미국 사보험처리 하면 한국하고 크게 차이 나지 않습니다.
검머외가 한국 국민건강보험 재정을 축내고 있다는 잘못된 정보를 아직까지 믿고 있지 않길 바랄 뿐입니다.
또한, 외국인이 한국에서 내는 보험료 보다 수령액이 적어 외국인이 국민건강보험 재정에 도움이 되고 있다는 사실은 알고 계신지요.
부디, 인터넷에 떠도는 헛소리 말고, 정확한 정보로 세상을 보시기 바랍니다.
My dad did LASIK 30 years ago in Korea. YES 30 years ago. It was a whole different process. Took way longer to operate, had to stay in the hospital for a few days. His eyesight was so bad that he couldn't tell what was what without his glasses. He decided to do the LASIK because of me.. I almost drowned at the public bath place(목욕탕) and he couldn't find me because he took off his glasses as it gets fogged up. He told me to stay by his side but as a 5-year-old, you don't listen :P ANYWAY, after 30 years, his eyesight is still good, not as good as before mainly because of his age but he says it is one of the best thing he had done :)
I've consistently heard (and personally think having done ASA-PRK) that laser eye surgery is the best money you could ever spend on yourself.
I'll swim with my glasses on. no biggie.
What name of clinic does your dad undergo Lasik?
I’ve got Lasik at the same eye clinic you got, 8 years ago. My eyesight is still good. I think after care is most important on this surgery. I recommend you to wearing sunglasses when you go out. 😎
No way, small world! So glad to hear it's still working well 8 years later. Yes, totally agree that aftercare is so important!
Congrats!!!!! I’ve got mine here as well. One of the best clinics for LASIK. I did in 2010. My vision is still good.
same! I got my S.M.I.L.E Lasik here! it's obviously one of the biggest eye clinic in Korea. My friends call this 'Eye surgery factory' xD
That is on 압구정 right? I had my one there too. It has been 10yrs for me now. Still good with me too. I still remembered feeling the morning when i woke up right after the surgery.
@@chrisandsara I had mine in the US here 15 years ago and my eyes sight was 20/20 until last year my right side reduce in clearness when reading small font up close (nearsighted) but still great overall. Congrats on your successful surgery.
I have been living in the states for last 20 years. I can surely say that when it comes to medical system, transportation, and safety, Korea beats US and it is not even close.
I’m a Canadian that has lived in South Korea for 24 years. I’m old now. I would not dare to go back onto Canada because of the pathetic heaakth system there. I was unaware of it until I experienced waiting first outset in the street early in the morning in January to get into a walk in clinic that immediately put up a sign in the window “ not accepting any new patients today “ five minutes after I got in when they opened at 9 AM. I was told I had to wait another fiur hiurs to see a doctor then another hour in an examination room. This was only to grt a form signed. Then the doc came in said it was the wrong form from Services Canada and to pay $125 on my way out. I found out I coukd grt the form filled out in Korea for free and did. I tell friends and relatives in Canada that in Korea I can literally go to a hospital a ten minute walk from my place or to various clinics nearby with no appointment and see a doctor in ten minutes or often no waiting. I think they think I’m lying but it’s whst I have experienced here for 24 years. I have health insurance thst pays 70% of everything including dentistry. In some cases it pays 90%. That’s the absolute truth. I ask what happened in Canada. Nobody knows. They say it started around 1995. I was in Europe then. No one ever told me in 17 years. I ask why no one has done anything about it. No one knows or seems to care. Woukd I go back to the hellhole? Not if I can help it withe health system as it is here. I was permanently crippled by a stroke in 2010. I can still walk and take care of myself. The only clue I had about things in Canada as I was in hospital for six months learning walk again was friends in Canada telling me never to go back there as the health system there would kill me in two years. I stayed out in Korea and have lived 12,5 years . Now Canada is recommending medically assisted suicide for people like me if I ever went back. That has been all over CZcams recently. Why would I ever want to go back there? Are Canadians rioting in the streets about that ? Nope. They don’t care unless it’s happening to them to be out down like a sick animal. That’s what my country thinks of me. I live in a more modern civilized country that traditionally respects elders. That is Confucianism. What ideology isCanada following. It certainly isn’t Christianity. This place has 5000 year old culture. What had Canada got? I have told my brother to come here. No way. This place is foreign. All he knows is Canada so if he has a stroke how long will he survive over there? You can’t tell people so why even try?
Congratulations on your surgery in Korea.I heard that eye surgery is advanced medical care in Korea.I heard that Smile LASIK is recognized worldwide. I heard that dental treatment is more advanced and effective than other countries, so do it when you need it when you are in Korea. There are a lot of people who come to get treatment from abroad on purpose.I know that Korea is inexpensive and advanced in medical care.God bless you!
As a foreigner, I can attest that the dental is great - without planning on it I had to have a small operation, and everything went very smoothly, while the price was so much cheaper than in the US. Was excellent!
general cost please? anyeong haseo
@@christianhansen3292 LASIK average $1250 SMILELASIK $2250
Medical quality is also lower in Canada than in Korea from my experience.
@@christianhansen3292 if you not eligible for lasik, you might need to do ICL which is around 5-6k
You guys probably won’t see this. But hey Sara it’s your old neighbor Michael!👋🏻 I just wanted to say this was a great video and didn’t even realize who it was until the end. I’ve had LASIK and this video randomly popped up in my recommended. So cool that y’all have built a successful channel of your travels. Also, my wife Anna says your dog is adorable haha.
👋 Hey Michael! Hope you’re doing well! Thanks for the kind words. Hope we see you around when we’re back in town!
I had LASIK surgery in 2000 in Korea. I wore the glasses from age 10 and my eyesight was so bad that I couldn't even put my shoes on without glasses. Right after surgery I could find my shoes and put them on with no glasses. I remember my mother was crying next to me saying now you can see things properly. Now more than 20 years later, I still can see fine without any kind of help. Of course, my eyes get tired sometimes. Having LASIK surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.
What kind of lasik surgery you did? And how old are you sir when you undergo on lasik?
Oh~~~ I got my Lasik surgery at the same clinic about 15 years ago. so happy with the result until now~ They were just awesome!! As a local Korean, you picked a good clinic. They are pretty good.
True statistics show over 90% of plastic surgery performed in Korea was performed on foreigners mainly from china. But many patients have confidentiality status so many are not counted on the true statistics. It is said over 90% of plastic surgery performed in Korea was performed on foreigners mainly from china and then Japan and southeast Asia. Then from Europe and the Americas. Korean plastic surgery patients made up less than 5% of plastic surgery patients in Korea. Chinese plastic surgery patients made up almost 75% of all plastic surgery performed in Korea and then from Japan Southeast Asia and western countries.
Korea has fantastic medical system. It’s fast, accurate, and most importantly, affordable. Glad you were assisted with care and professionalism!!!
That translator was a godsend, she seemed very professional and very caring, but still personable, and her English was perfect. Also loved the LASIK animation you did at 10:38
Are you saying that most of these medical tourism places have such competent bi-lingual workers ? amazing !
Oh my goodness, I cried when she said you have 20/16 vision. I can only imagine how that must have felt after having had astigmatism your entire life. Congratulations and *thank you* for making a video like this to help others know where they can go, and what they can expect.
Enjoy your time without your glasses because once the inner lens crystalizes around the age of 50, you'll likely need readers (and your shower will once again be blurry).
You should try snowboarding now, if you don't already, because you'll be able to see the terrain like never before and NO FOGGY GLASSES on the slopes! :D
The translator is so good! Would’ve made the experience so much more worry free having her, just with her manner, she is so lovely
I got my eyes done at BGSS 2 weeks ago and got ICL as I wasn’t eligible for lasik and my eyes went from -8 to 20/16 ! best decision of my life. Everyone was so professional and the workmanship was impeccable. Couldn’t have asked for more from them
How much did it cost to get ICL?
@@teresal1947 it cost around 5- 6million KRW depending on what you get. I believe the ICL to correct myopia is around 5M KRW and 6M KRW to correct astigmatism and myopia
@@gavinkim6573 Thank you for the info
The translator you met was amazing! She is like Bong Joon Ho's translator lol
She was incredible!
Thank you so much for showing the proces of this. Ive been wanting Lasik for so long, I might get it done there now. So thank you for sharing!
thanks for doing this! really got me interested in going to korean for lasik now!
Y’all… I’m so happy for Chris, as a glasses person myself, I get it. I relate so much to “leave my eyes alone” and I did twitch a few times watching Chris have the testing done! I’m bet Chris got a big hug after this from Kramer & Sara.
I’m sure everyone is thinking - Sara are you keeping your new husband? 😂
Chris is so excited to finally have done the procedure, and I (Sara) think I'll keep him 😉
I like that they are walking u through the process, explaining and complete translation
Wow! What an amazing video and experience! I’m so so glad about your excellent outcome! That’s so cool! I’m really happy for you 🎉
Thank you, it's a bit of an adjustment but so thankful I got to have the procedure done and it went well!
Seriously the best video I've seen on this procedure. Terrifyingly while entertaining ( because I want lol). Again, hatsoff to your editing and score choices. This has got to be evergreen for anyone even thinking about doing this! Best Wishes and Blessings guys, James and Kim ❤️
You're too kind, so glad you enjoyed watching! Glad we got to share it!
As someone who has worked in an optometry practice and met with patients 1 day after LASIK, it made me smile to be able to watch you read the eye chart. Congrats!
This was really interesting, thanks so much for making this video.
I'm so happy to see now you are okay. I've got surgery Lasek 10 years ago, since I'm getting old, my eyes getting drier.so I apply eye drop for not drying. this is a tip for you. anyway I'm so happy that you got the whole new world! happy for you!
I'm glad to hear that your eye surgery went well :) this video could help a lot of people who are interested in medical tour in Kor! nice work❤
Thank you! Yes, we hope this video is able to educate folks on medical tourism!
This video is really amazing very helpful I’m glad u can see good job you guys
Congrats! Glad it worked out great!🎉
The knowledge you learn and share is incredible. The editing you did with all of the equipment, and what Chris would be seeing, was really cool.
Thank you!
My company boss families(US citizen) also do LASIK at that hospital. It looks same interpreter. She is very nice and kind. That hospital is very famous in Seoul also famous for many foreigners. You chose the right hospital for your eye.
I've been told over and over again that I should get Lasik but am terrified. So thanks for this, I'm using people's videos and blogs and all that to make it less scary.
YAY Chris!!! Seeing you without glasses ... well having seen you so much with them, it will be different for me. Thanks for the video. Until next time... Travel safe.
Same here, it's been quite the adjustment!
thank you for introducing Korea culture!!!
Congratulations Chris! Wow what an amazing transformation for you we are SO happy you can now SEE clearly after all these years! I’m curious about how you found this amazing eye surgeon and your research. ~Cara 😎
Thank you!! I am so excited and thankful! We actually got a recommendation from a friend who's uncle is an optometrist in Seoul!
I still remember the wondrous moment right after the LASIK surgery. It has been almost 12 years from then, I am still maintaining very clear vision with my left eye. Right eye has lost its vision quite a lot however, it is still better than before the surgery. I hope you can preserve your vision for centuries!!!
Big congratulations to you Chris 🎉 i've been thinking about it too
The translator was amazing
Agreed!
Lasik skill been approved like 15 years ago when i was kid in korea already . Not just the price, its just best medical in the world
I am watching this for a second time with my wife. The background audio (music and sound effects) is AMAZING! The video content is excellent but the EDITING is primo. Great job building mood and intensity.
This was so fascinating to see! I’m sure that was super weird for Chris to get used to seeing without his glasses, but I’m sure it was weird for Sara to see him without glasses!
It was definitely an adjustment! So glad I did it though, weird to not be wearing glasses after all these years.
I’m Korean, and I got my Lasik at the place in 2012. I was almost blind, and sick of wearing glasses. It was the best decision of my life. I can still see things very very well. The procedure only took 15 minutes or so, and I could already see the clock that was hanging on the wall which was like 4 meter away. Back in 2012, (서울밝은세상안과) Balgeun Sesang Eye clinic was famous for the most Lasik procedures done in the world!
수술 직후와 지금 시력이 큰 차이가 없나요? 수술 과정은 무섭진 않은지 궁금하네요... 전 렌즈도 잘 못 껴서...
@@2husk 수술 직후1.5 였는데 지금 딱 10년 지났는데도 시력은 거의 유지 합니다. 약간 건조증 있는 정도…. 사실 여러가지 검사를 우선 하고 나서 수술이 들어가고, 수술 자체는 사람이 버튼만 누르지 기계가 다 하거든요. 그냥 불빛만 보고 있으면 각막 절개하고 깎고 다 기계가 합니다 ㅎ. 개인차가 있지만 사후 관리만 잘하면 시력은 계속 유지 됩니다. 하루 빨리 하시길
근데 진짜 라식은 밝은세상안과, 사랑니는 잎사귀치과 국룰같아요ㅋㅋㅋ엪샤귀치과도 세계에서 제일 많은 사랑니를 뺀 체과래요!15만개쯤인가
I got lasik at the same clinic about 15 years ago. They were amazing even back then. After the eye surgery, your eyes will be very dry and will need to use artificial tears a lot. For me, it lasted about six months. Congratulations!
Good for you Chris! You’re a brave soul. I hope Sarah enjoys here “new” husband. Thanks for sharing this story. I’m sure it will bless many.
Thanks so much for watching!
man.. that lady was super super helpful. she almost makes me wanna go do this because of how helpful she is.
She is amazing!
Great job showing all the anxiousness pre and post surgery!!
Thanks for watching!
Being in a foreign country and have an awesome translator is the best thing.
I wore glasses since 12 for 13years and I got lasik done in 2015. Korea is good place to get your lasik done. As many Korean already get it done too, there are lots of doctors with lots of experience. Don't be afraid and it only takes 10 minutes and 2days of recovery, you will feel like born ✨️ again.
Great video and what a superb looking medical facility. Glad it went so well and have the story of how it went. You are right though, it is going to take a while to get used to seeing you without the glasses.
Thank you! Yes, it was immaculate!
The translator is amazing! And gorgeous!
Well done with the surgery, I think you’ll find it a life changing procedure.
Agreed, it's already been amazing so far!
Korea healthcare is so advanced and their service is top-notch.
Great concept, great video
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
This is a very good editing. It looks so clean
So glad things worked out!
We are too!!
Very interesting! You look so different without your glasses. (I thought you looked really good in them.) Glad everything went so well and that you can see better!
it's been quite the adjustment without them! Thanks for watching!
부작용없이 오래도록 좋은 시력 유지했으면 좋겠습니다...
Congrats Chris!!!
Thank you!
좋은 결과를 보게되어 다행입니다^^
Wow. I got this surgery 10yrs ago.The medical equipments look really developed than before.
What an incredible blessing!
Agreed!!
what a professional guidance and all - the translator's English is just perfect and it's rare to hear the level of English talking anywhere here in korea
Yes, she was incredible and so helpful!
I think she is hired for foreigners who came to Korea to do medical procedure
ㅋㅋㅋ난십여년전에 Lasek수술을 받았는데 수술후 샤워할때 세상 모든것이 선명했던 그 느낌을 아직도 잊을수없다. 완전한 신세계. 평생 살면서 가장 만족했던 소비.
Great video as I'd never thought of looking overseas for treatment like this, would have always wanted it done close to home, as like some others here have posted.
Having had tests for eye surgery myself and been given prices between £5000 for Lasik to about £10,000 for lenses replacement, it can get costly.
So, this video really is an eye opener, no pun!, as even with travelling costs it would still be cheaper, thanks for taking the plunge on a whim 😉
I'm glad for you, honestly
Thank you!
I've been to the same exact clinic and got LASIK done too and it was so worth it. Also if you didn't know, a lot of celebs go there for treatment as well!
Didn't know that. They're the best!
This was... eye-opening! 👀
😂😂😂
Wow they are so accommodating that's cool 🎉
I recently did lasik here in Canada, my eyes are still adjusting since I have severe dry eyes. Going back to my followup check up next week. I was surprised when they said my surgery will only take 15 minutes. They didn’t ask me to wash my face and wear a lab coat. We all just waited for our turn in the waiting room w/ our hair nets. Amazing how they took good care of you in Korea. It was nice to see the difference here and over there. I’m Korean, love your video.
Well done guys, love this! In Korea I recently had to undergo (unplanned) wisdom tooth and toe procedures - I'm planning on making a video about it sometime, but wow was the cost and efficiency of care good compared to the US... Sometimes it's quite eye opening to see how things are taken care of in other parts of the world!
Yes, it was really interesting to see what healthcare looks like in different places!
I would be very interested in watching that video
@JuanNgtse hope to be dropping that in the next several weeks, after we finish & release a couple more videos 🙂
Im local Korean and LASIK is kinda safe and have long history here . And i want to recommend that do medical travel as FAST as possible if you can. Because some of Medical procedure cases covered National health care which runs with tax payer's taxes now fixing to not cover to foreigners ( before and now yes )
I just wanted to mention for those in the states that I recently got LASIK for my horrible -7 eyesight in Philadelphia for $3650 for both eyes including aftercare drops and medicines. My coworker got hers done here too for 3200 but she had to buy all her aftercare stuff separately. Also the place I went to approves everyone for financing but I can't speak on that because I used my HSA to pay for it.
Looking good without glasses Chris!
Thank you!
Great video!
S.k is probably one of the only places i would trust with my health care.
The nose bridge height thing you mention around the 5:20 mark is one of the things i'd be most worried about doing a procedure like this in another country (and particular a country with a homogeneous population). There can be certain things that maybe they don't account for or aren't prepared to deal with such as machines built for people who commonly have a certain set of physical features and what not and how that impacts the accuracy of tests or the efficacy of the procedure. But long as they have ways to counteract or correct for that then it's not too much of an issue i suppose. The good thing about medical tourism in a country like Korea is that it's also a first world country, so even if as a foreigner, you don't fit certain things they're used to dealing with in a patient. A fellow first world country i'd think would usually have the means/funds/knowledge to have it not be an issue. Whereas for medical tourism in countries that don't have that luxury, and the procedures are maybe less regulated, it can be much more risky. South Korea specifically, from the outside looking in, has seemed to always have a GREAT medical system in terms of quality of the medical treatments, surgeries, and care though.
Goodjob on the eye surgery!! Your not that blind! For me I’ve had my glasses in third grade. And both of my eye is about negative 8~9. When I went to check if my eyes can do the surgery they recommended me to put a lens inside (Implantable contact lens (ICL)) my both of my eyes because my eyes (placing a lens between a person's iris and lens without damaging the corneal tissue)are so bad and also very expensive here in the states.
My son had surgery on his sinuses when living in Korea, and paid a total of $900, even after 3 nights in the hospital!
So much more and reasonable than what that would cost in the US! I have had a couple procedures done in Korea myself, and they both were super affordable - thankfully.
That's amazing!
YAY CHRIS! I keep telling Meg to do it but she's too scared🙃
congrats!!
Thank you!
So interesting. Thank you for sharing. Was the interrupter provided from the doctor's office? Sorry I did skip around a little and didn't catch all of it. Lol
Wow, amazing! Sounds like a great option. South Korea seems very friendly. Any chance you can share what your prescription and astigmatism was prior to the surgery? I have been torn to do laser surgery (LASIK or PRk) and have been afraid. Thanks Chris for sharing the experience! Love the videos Chris and Sara!
Yes!
Right - Sphere was -3.0 and cylinder was -2.0
Left - Sphere was -3.75 and cylinder was -2.5
@@chrisandsara This is nice info dude, congrats on the surgery btw. I'm almost the same levels and now seriously considering a holiday to korea myself.
Look into SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), it the newest iteration. Literally took 90 seconds each eye.
Big congratulation
I got my LASIK surgery in 1996, and now I have to use the same prescription I used before the LASIK. In the beginning it was very good, got 20/20 vision until 2004, approximately.....
I’m goign to Korean to get cataract surgery March 2023.
Your video is much helpful for me to feel their warm hospitality.
I’m Korean.
I'm glad you found our video helpful, hope all goes well with your surgery!
I had radial keratotomy and lasik done in the U.S. when I was 19yrs old, 12yrs later I started going blind from lasik complications since the scars never heal, and finally legally blind at 40yrs old.
People are much too cavalier about these procedures.. I just saw a video where a woman had to have her eye removed after Lasik...
Nate got LASIK about 10 years ago and still says it was the "best money he has ever spent". He also jokes about his "laser vision" when he can read stuff far away. Ha.
Congrats! - Nate and Katrina
I’m Korean living in Las Vegas for 30 years. Korea have the best F ing healthcare…. You can make an appointment and see the doctor the same day sometimes and mostly within couple of days .. service is amazing and price is less than half of what you would pay in America .. even without any insurance, seeing a doctor for common cold and getting some med was less then $20
More like 8$ if you have insurance
Specialty clinics definitely, large medical centers not so much. I just finished a tonsillectomy at an ENT hospital that admitted me 1.5 weeks after the first consultation; would've been nice to be faster (and not burn so much vacation time) but certainly better than trying to come back next spring at the medical center.
축하해요!! 저는 한국사람이고 한국에서 라섹을 받았습니다. 라식과 비슷한 수술. 안경없이 생활하는 지금 너무 행복해요!!!
congratulation... it's almost 30 years i took the similar surgery but a little different name for better vision. My choice was in Sandiego because the cost and skill made me more comfortable than Seoul. My vision has been normal since then... happily wear sunglasses only when i need it.... thanks for sharing the experiences... My pay was around 1,000usd each eye with a week interval...I remember the doctor said, only two laser machines in Sandiego so he recommended me he could use diamond knife with his hands it's cheaper and he did well.... anyway, I choose the laser because it's more precise not because i didn't belive his skill.... The surgery took a few seconds that's all... I drove my self to home...
I had lasix in California it was never this advanced or thorough
If you're still in Korea. I recommend you to experience the sunrise at Haedongyonggungsa Temple in Busan
The first thing my wife yell on the next day of the surgery is 'I can see the clark!'. Congrats!
My only hesitation with Medical Tourism is the aftercare (follow ups). For example I had LASIK done privately in the UK (where I live) and I had follow up appointments to check my eyes after the surgery every couple of weeks extending to every month or so for few months.
In most cases people will travel for few days to have a procedure done but if there are any issues, signs of infection or you have any questions at all, you could be back from the trip by then and in another country.
How are your eyes now? Would you recommend the clinic? I've been thinking of getting laser eye surgery done in the uk too.
@@z.a.8912 I was really happy. I have no issues whatsoever. Recommended. I used Optimax.
Yes that is true, however they and the other two well known UK ones charge around £5000 for it or nearly £10,000 if you go lenses route. So, getting it done in Korea even with travelling costs etc, could be a cheaper option for some.
Yes yes yes …. No back up Korea to the states !
Congratulations
Thank you!
시술 잘되서 좋네요!!안경 필요 없는 새인생을 살겠군요 ㅎ 하루만에 바로 눈앞이 보이는게 되다니 크으~~한국 의료 짱이다..!
My country, Venezuela, was a destination for medical tourism before the revolution, particularly for dental care, many dentists would partner with a resort, you would get all your cavities done in the morning, and then go relax by the pool in the afternoon, all at a fraction of the cost of a single cavity in the USA