If you're planning to jet-set out
of the U.S. to save money on surgery or medical procedures,
you're not alone.
In fact, increasing numbers of people are
doing the same thing.
It's called medical tourism.
And as our guests will explain this
morning, you don't have to travel very far to get the same
top quality surgical or dental procedures at a fraction of the
cost.
Meet Dr. Eric Adler of Adler Facial Plastic Surgery &
Wellness Center, and dentist, Pedro Rodriguez, of
International Smile Designers.
Both out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Good morning.
Thank you for having us.
Did you like that rolling Puerto Rrrrrico.
Yeh, that's how it is.
And the Pedro Rodrrrriguez.
Buenos dias.
Thank you so much for being here.
Gentlemen, I was reading a survey here and I'd like to
share this with you.
It's out of the Medical Tourism Association.
I was a little bit surprised.
69% of respondents expressed an interest in traveling overseas
for medical procedures.
Are you seeing that trend Dr. Adler?
I am totaling seeing in the last
20 years of being in private practice in Puerto Rico.
I have in the last 5 years seen a very
high number of people coming from New York, Los Angeles,
Miami, Chicago, visiting for different types of surgeries.
Dr. Rodriguez?
We have the same trainer dental office, you know,
a lot of people coming from the states looking for, you know,
trimming in Puerto Rico.
So if somebody's thinking of going to
Puerto Rico, which happens to be part of this country, of course,
because it is part of this country, and not too far, for
that matter, what should one consider when, let's say, taking
on a cosmetic procedure?
Well, I believe that the most important
thing is selecting the right person to do your procedure.
Second, after that is making sure that the person is working
in a prepared environment.
So the clinic the consultation area
has to be impeccable, and I think that another thing that
you, that patients need to look at is the recovery time for
whatever given procedure they're gonna have.
And something doctor that I think our viewers are not
aware of, is doctors like yourself in Puerto Rico, have to
abide by the same healthcare standards as doctors, let's say
in New York, for that matter.
Yeh, definitely, we have the same healthcare and legal
standards.
So you know, like in my case, in dentistry, you know,
a dentist in Puerto Rico have to be U.S. Board Certified.
So it's the same preparation.
So the treatment you will receive by a
doctor in the mainland or in Puerto Rico is the same.
And Dr. Adler, speaking of New York, you
were schooled there.
Yeh, I went to medical school in New York
and I did my specialty training at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center.
And when I went to Puerto Rico years later, I had
double board certification so, not everybody has board
certification in the states or in Puerto Rico, but it's another
nice thing to have, which means you went an extra step in your
education process.
So let's talk about some of the most common
dental procedures that patients are doing in Puerto Rico, and
kind of compare apples to apples, if you will.
What are you doing there and compare the
costs.
OK, well let's say like probably the most sick treatment
is the dental implants.
So in the mainland will be probably
between $2500 to $3000 per implant.
In Puerto Rico will go from $1100 to $1200, you know,
per implant.
It's probably 40 to 60 percent the cost.
That's huge.
And when you multiply that times 3 or 4 implants, because
sometimes people need more, that's a good amount of money.
That's a lot of change right there.
What about cosmetic surgery?
When we talk about my patients that come from the
mainland, mainly are coming for hair transplants in Los Angeles.
Maybe they can pay for 3000 grafts like $30-40,000.
Wow!
In San Juan, Puerto Rico we're
looking at $10-15,000.
In New York, maybe a rhinoplasty in New
York is like $15-20,000.
That's a nose job?
Yes a nose job.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico it's
between $7,500 and $10,000.
So, there's, we're talking about
more, sometimes more than 50% savings.
What about a facelift?
I'm just curious.
A facelift in L.A., I have heard people
charging as high as $50-60,000 and in New York maybe
$25-30,000.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, between 12 and 15.
And again, top notch quality care?
Yeh yeh.
Sure.
By a top notch quality doctor.
That's right.
Same equipment, same treatment, just half price.
Something I think is important to note also
is the fact that, again, it's not too far, it is part of this
country again.
You don't need a passport to get there.
And I'm just gonna have to say that the
island is beautiful and the weather is great!
That has to be another plus!
Yeh, that's the, you know, it has been studied
that being on a tropical ambience, you know, no stress is
good for healing.
Right?
Completely.
You know, many studies have been put out and
they have looked at wound healing and people with no
stress in a relaxed environment heal, you know, maybe 30-40%
quicker.
Well, I'm getting so convinced I might be considering
my facelift in the future with Dr. Adler.
We'll be waiting for you.
We'll be waiting.
Thanks.
But I don't think you need much so.
Thank you doctor, so sweet you are.
Just go to Puerto Rico, have your surgery or your dental
treatment done and have a vacation.
It's the best.
We go to Bayamon every year.
That's nice.
Very nice area.
So we love Puerto Rico.
Doctor, for our viewers out there who'd like
more information, what's the website?
They can visit our website it's
starhealthcarepuertorico.com.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you for having us.
I'll be calling you maybe in about 10
years?
Ahh I don't know.
Call me in 5 and I'll let you know.
Just kidding.
I love this man.
You'll be fine.
Oh my gosh.
I love honesty.
And of course if you'd like more information, again,
the website starhealthcarepuertorico.com.
And remember to visit our website, thebalancingact.com.
He's looking at my neck.
I can see it.