By Sofia Carrasquel

Health is not something to take lightly. But when it comes to obtaining the best services, care by highly qualified specialists and the most advanced technology—all for a fraction (even a third) of the price it would cost in countries like the United States and Canada—then we're definitely betting on a sure winner: the Central American region. There are many comparative advantages to traveling to Central America to receive the best medical treatments, be they clinical, surgical or preventive. The region is prepared to exploit these advantages, which can be summed up as: lower prices; accessibility (because of its proximity to the United States, where the highest demand for medical care originates); and the excellent preparation of health professionals. All this without forgetting that, for the tourist, it's also a great option to combine health goals with the enjoyment of the natural wonders of our countries. We also shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, in today's economic climate, medical tourism emerges as an important revenue source, which represents growth in our national economies and positions the region as an investment hub for infrastructure, technology and services.

Medical Centers
Committed to excellence and prepared to offer the best service that tourist patients expect and demand, the professionals at El Salvador Medical comprise one of the best medical and dental options in El Salvador. Its doctors possess the highest qualifications to perform clinical and cosmetic procedures, assisted by the most modern technology, in first-rate facilities and at a very low cost.

From orthopediatric surgery to ophthalmological procedures, and including weight-loss treatments and cosmetic surgery, this institution has earned a prestigious reputation among its patients from all over the world. Furthermore, the staff of El Salvador Medical speaks English.

One of the aspects that's most attractive to foreigners who come to Central America seeking medical attention is receiving scientific quality with a human touch. That's precisely the philosophy of Hospital de la Mujer, the Salvadoran medical center founded in 1989 that offers comprehensive care for the entire family, with specialties in internal medicine, and general, laparoscopic, cardiovascular, plastic and urological surgery, as well as orthopedics and gynecology, among others. In its modern and comfortable facilities, patients and their families will find the latest technology and the highest standards of quality.

In Guatemala, the Hospital Centro Médico has more than 400 doctors with various specialties, and one of its fundamental characteristics is the strict professionalism that it offers to both foreign and local patients. As the principal requirement, doctors here must have a master's degree in the specialty they practice and proven experience. In its 60 years, the hospital has succeeded in assembling a select group of specialists (most of whom speak English, and some are fluent in German, French and Portuguese); gathered the latest technology; and established the most appropriate infrastructure—it even has a heliport—to perform cardiac, cosmetic and cancer-related surgeries, among others. The hospital also has a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostic center.

Aesthetic and General Well-Being
Cosmetic surgery is, without a doubt, the biggest draw in medical tourism. For a fraction of what it would cost in Europe and the United States to undergo aesthetic procedures such as facial, breast enhancement or capillary transplant surgery, tourists can return to their countries with a completely renovated image. With more than 10 years in the field of dermatology and cosmetic surgery, the Grupo Dermatológico Carpio is one of the most prestigious aesthetic centers in El Salvador, whose qualified professionals perform high-quality dermatological and cosmetic procedures daily.

In Guatemala, cosmetic surgery is making giant leaps thanks to specialized professionals abroad who offer new clinical trends. That's the case with Perfektima, a comprehensive plastic surgery clinic where patients are treated in a personal and professional manner by Dr. Kevin Malouf, who was trained in the United States, Mexico, Belgium and Spain. (He can assist patients in English, French and Dutch.) -Offering a personalized service, Perfektima welcomes patients from around the world to achieve the dream of looking younger and better. From a refreshment of the eyelids to rhinoplasty, face-lifts, surgery of the breasts, glutes and ankles—even a complete body makeover—Dr. Malouf offers innovative surgical skills, while achieving a quick recovery thanks to proper post-op therapy.

Although it is one of the most sought plastic surgeries among tourists, aesthetic nasal surgery (rhinoplasty) is one of the most complex, because in addition to looking good, it must allow the normal functions of that part of the face. The Clínica de Cirugía Nasal in Guatemala is a center specializing in nasal surgery that offers both the aesthetic and the functional aspects to patients in one surgery. Dr. Luis Pedro Fortuny, with the help of the most advanced technological equipment, also performs additional specialized treatments, such as external rhinoplasty, turbinoplasty with radiofrequency (turbinate surgery), septoplasty (deviated septum correction) and nasal valve defect surgery.

The fight against obesity shouldn't be faced alone. At CIECSA (International Center for Corporal Aesthetic), they know very well that it takes comprehensive teamwork between patients and health professionals to win. This center located in Costa Rica uses natural, modern and scientific methods designed by its own laboratory to help lose weight and extra inches. Its personalized and noninvasive treatments, which are performed by doctors, nutritionists, microbiologists and aestheticians, concentrate on pinpointing the excesses and deficiencies in patients' diets to then focus on correcting the problem, thereby allowing the tourist to return home boasting a new, healthy figure.

Oftentimes, those interested in an image change have certain expectations that don't lend themselves to the appropriate procedures for their physical features. Dr. René Fiallos of Hospital Honduras Medical Center recommends to his patients reliable procedures whose results adapt to patients' particular concerns and needs. A specialist in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, he assures there are specific techniques that can correct many imperfections to let patients "see themselves the way they feel." Honduras Medical Center also works with the medical center SPAMEDIC, which provides services for the betterment and care of health and beauty with the latest technology.

If what visitors wish is to try the most innovative methods of body relaxation that allow an escape from daily stress, then they'll love the experience of the Flotarium at Sento Spa, located in El Salvador. It involves a fiberglass capsule filled with water and Epsom salts in which the body floats without effort, while the skin is revitalized and softened without wrinkling, releasing stress, nerves, anxiety, insomnia and muscular pains. In this idyllic Salvadoran spa, the tourist also can receive other cutting-edge treatments, such as water vapor therapy to lose weight and burn fat, and oxygen therapy, among others, to activate cells.

A great number of tourists travel abroad in search of a beautiful, healthy smile—a demand that implies completing quality treatments in the short time that a tourist normally has. At the Centro Dental de Especialistas, which forms part of Multimédica in Guatemala, 22 dental professionals and more than 80 assistants have developed a work model for fast and efficient care to satisfy the demands of the foreign patient. This is a strategic concept that facilitates comprehensive care in the least amount of time possible, so that the tourist can go back home boasting a splendid set of teeth.

One Source, All the Advantages
Those interested in traveling to Guatemala to undergo a medical procedure should take advantage of all the services Surgi-Care offers. Surgi-Care is a company specializing in promoting that country as one of the best options for high-quality medical tourism. Through its tourism partner, Surgi-Care offers medical and dental care with highly regarded specialists and personalized service. In addition, it organizes all related transfers, accommodations and visits to tourist attractions. They even have all-inclusive plans to make your stay in Guatemala even easier.

General Services
Not all foreign patients come to Central America in search of a new look. They're also interested in receiving quality health care in other medical disciplines. In El Salvador, for example, -Gastroclínica is an institute specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of all sorts of illnesses and problems related to the digestive system. It provides the best attention to its patients thanks to efficient, dedicated service from its entire medical, paramedic and administrative staff.

Another area with a high demand from foreigners who search for medical options outside their home countries is that of fertility treatments. Many couples who have problems conceiving a child seek help from Clínica Santa María in Guatemala, because of its notable, successful track record and affordable cost. Since 1998, the clinic has made the miracle of life a reality for many couples, thanks to its team of highly specialized professionals (doctors, biologists, psychologists), with the most modern treatments using global standards, such as in-vitro fertilization, embryo cryopreservation and artificial insemination, among others.

Just as there are people who come to Central America to create a life, there are those who come seeking light and health for their eyes. They find these at Centro Oftalmológico León de Guatemala, one of the newest and most modern ophthalmological centers in the region, where various types of innovative surgical procedures are performed. Among these are excimer laser refractive surgery (LASIK) with personalized ablation; cataract surgery with microincision and foldable intraocular lenses; treatments with Avastin and argon laser for diabetic retinopathy; hydroxylapatite implants; and ocular prosthetics, in addition to cosmetic eyelid surgery—a highly demanded operation.


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