Limb lengthening surgery is a type of surgery which used to increase the height of a person. It is also known as height lengthening surgery. This surgery is becoming popular for the medical tourist who wants to extend their limbs or height. The cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand is an affordable option compared with the cost around the globe. Thailand is emerging as a country that offers an advanced level of medical facilities. In this post, we will explore the cost of this surgery in Thailand, including discovering the factors that may influence the cost, and comparing the prices across the globe.
Structure of Cost and Price Ranges
The cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand varies depending on several factors, with an average price of USD 35000 – USD 64000. It depends significantly on the extension of the limb and the technique of surgery.
Low Range Options ($35,000 – $42,000)
The most cost-friendly option is basically a method which have internal basic techniques, or you can call it external fixation. It is provided by small clinics and healthcare. This procedure requires an external device, which lowers the cost of surgery but increases the recovery time for the same.
Medium Range Options ($42,000 – $52,000)
A technique called Lengthening Over Nails, often known as LON, in this range, LON is the best procedure one can have. These procedures include both internal as well as external methods.LON is very popular among medical tourists as it provides comfort to guests physically, as well as cost-effectively.
Premium Range Options ($52,000 – $64,000)
Premium range options are generally considered to have a precise surgery with high-end equipment. These facilities are available only at high-end super-speciality healthcare. Medical tourists highly prefer this if cost is not a matter of concern for them. The results of this surgery are the best among all, with a low risk of infection and high comfort.
Factors that may Affect the Cost of the Limb Lengthening Surgery in Thailand
The cost of this surgery depends on several factors, including the geographic location, surgical techniques, etc. The following are some more factors in detail:
Surgical Technique Selection
Technique selection for surgery is most considerate things because techniques like external fixation using frames are most economical for those with a tight budget. The LON(Lengthening Over Nail) technique is a little higher in price with a low recovery rate. But on the other hand, if you opt for the precise surgery or internal methods, it gives you the best outcomes, but costs you a hefty amount.
Quality of Facility or Hospital
As an emerging country for medical facilities, Thailand has almost every budget range for everyone. From basic private clinics to internationally accredited facilities. Premium services are available in developed cities like Bangkok. The price is on the higher side due to the infrastructure and quality of treatment they are providing.
Geographical Location
Again, the cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand differs in different cities. Surgery is obviously costlier in cities compared with that in small cities. However, Bangkok has the best accommodation options, availability of good food, smooth transportation, and other services in the country. That is the reason why it is the first choice for international medical tourists.
Extent of Lengthening Required
The length of limb you desire to extend directly makes an impact on your pocket, as the surgery can become complex and take a little more time to complete. The standard procedure doctors suggest is 6-7 cm of increase in height, but some patients want their height to be increased by 13-14cm through bilateral procedures.
What’s Included in Surgery Packages?
Most of the highly reputable hospitals offer a package that includes various services altogether. It may include surgery costs, facility costs, and basic sessions of physiotherapy, medical imaging, and post-surgery and pre-surgery consultations.
The patient spent almost one week in the hospital for this surgery, hence the cost of accommodation is pre-included in the cost. Depending on the situation, you can be shifted to the general lodge for monitoring for another week. Some facilities have accommodation at a distant place, hence they provide transportation facilities too.
However, patients are always tracking their package and keep an eye on it to see what is included and what is excluded from the base package. If there is a need for additional physiotherapy sessions other than the basic sessions, it may cost you additionally. Complications during surgery may require another procedure, which can be more extensive.
Comparison with Global Markets
The cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand is considered to be in the mid-range as compared to other countries with international-level medical facilities. Thailand has economic costs as compared with other Western countries with the same level of safety, quality, and precise surgeries.
| Country | Cost Range (USD) |
| Thailand | $21,000–$64,000 |
| United States | $74,000–$148,000 |
| United Kingdom | $94,250 |
| Turkey | $14,000–$49,000 |
| India | $6,450–$34,120 |
| Mexico | $19,520–$39,190 |
| South Korea | $29,800–$69,900 |
Medical Tourism Infrastructure
From decades of development and research, the medical facilities in Thailand are now at a place that is considered to be in the list of the top 10 around the globe. A lot of successful surgeries in Thailand, like Rhinoplasty, Tummy Tuck, and Liposuction Treatments, are famous among the patients, which makes Thailand one of the best choices for medical tourists. High-end hospitals in Thailand have a separate team to deal with the issue of visas for international patients. Usually, the tourist visa is valid for 60-90days in Thailand, but for international patients, they can easily extend it.
Quality and Safety Considerations for Limb Lengthening Surgery
Hospitals in Thailand that can perform this surgery vary in the quality of healthcare and their tier. High-end facilities that are accredited with international standards maintain top-notch quality and safety practices. However, the economic options may sometimes compromise quality and safety.
Patients must research the surgeon’s experience, facility history, healthcare providers, and other processes in advance. Language could be a barrier in Thailand, so it’s your responsibility to understand the completely things deeply before making any decision.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Recovery for limb lengthening surgery takes a lot of time, near about 10-14 months to completely heal. In Thailand, medical facilities usually provide some services in the initial phases after surgery. Although, patient must have to arrange the equipment required for long-term monitoring.
Additional Financial Considerations
Apart from the fixed surgery cost and accommodation with all additional costs, the patient must budget for extension in advance to avoid unnecessary chaos at the crucial time. As compared to Western countries, Thailand offers accommodation and meals at lower prices, which helps the medical tourist to extend easily.
Insurance coverage is another factor to consider, as insurance policies may vary for different countries. An insurance policy may not cover the charge for the cosmetic part of limb lengthening surgery, as it is not a necessity. Sometimes patients prepare themself for the surgery just for their own will. Patients are advised to cross-check their insurance policy for overseas countries to avoid unusual complications in the future, specifically for Thailand.
Conclusion
The cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand varies from one place to another, as the cities have much more precise surgery options with a higher cost. On the other hand, small cities mostly offer external fixation, which is economical and takes a longer time to recover.
However, people from different countries are coming to Thailand for their surgery as they provide precise surgery at a budget-friendly cost.