Personal Service

The day of your operation or treatment, a bi-lingual escort from our office will accompany you to the hospital or clinic to oversee transportation, paperwork and payments and to communicate with your providers most effectively to expedite your treatment and recovery. Your Guatemala Medical Travel agent will listen carefully to directions by the physicians and staff, write detailed notes of the doctor’s instructions, and help you follow them precisely for a quick, successful recovery.

Our patients expect highly-qualified doctors, full-service hospitals and the low prices that are expected in Central America. What absolutely astounds American patients locally is the level of personal service: compassion, respect and patience. In the Latin culture, you can expect “at your service” and “it’s my pleasure” to be absolutely sincere and all in a day’s work.


Clinica Las Brisas at Hospital Herrera-Llerandi, Guatemala City	Medi-Center 6th Avenue, Guatemala City	Centro Medica 6th Avenue, Guatemala City	Hospital Multi-Medica Blvd. Vista Hermosa, Guatemala City

PROCEDURES

Rest assured that your doctor speaks fluent English to thoroughly explain treatments, alternatives and recovery instructions. We use only the most trusted pharmacies to be certain that prescribed pharmaceuticals and OTC medications are of superior quality.

Anti-Aging Treatments - Stem cells found in our body are non-specific cells. They can easily replicate themselves to form specific cells like heart muscle cells, blood cells, bone and cartilage, nerve cells etc. to perform in each of those specific functions. This regeneration property makes stem cells ideal for anti-aging therapy. Research is now showing that stem cells can stall the progress of some of these diseases by replicating into specific cells and replacing the damaged cells in the body to restore the vitality and functionality of the organs. The cost of these transplants is not excessive and is considered to turn back the biological clock by up to 15 years.

Audiologist - A health care professional who is trained to evaluate hearing loss and related disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and to rehabilitate individuals with hearing loss and related disorders. An audiologist uses a variety of tests and procedures to assess hearing and balance function and to fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing.

Cardiovascular – Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels that compose the circulatory system.

Angiogram (angiography) is an x-ray technique to measure blood flow and blood pressure in the coronary arteries. Dye is injected into the arteries during a cardiac catheterization.
Angioplasty. Procedure performed to help open narrow areas in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with blood. This procedure requires a cardiac catheterization, during which a small balloon is passed into the artery and blown up to expand the narrowing.
Aortic Aneurysm describes an enlargement or dilation of the aorta, the largest artery of the body, which exits the heart.
Cardiac Catheterization is a procedure that uses a fine tube or catheter, which is threaded from the groin into the heart. Used with angiography, it is now a primary tool for visualizing the heart and blood vessels and then diagnosing or treating heart disease.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (Open-heart surgery) is a surgical procedure to create bypasses around obstructions in the coronary arteries, most often using arteries or veins from other parts of the body.

Cosmetic surgery involves the enhancement of appearance by reshaping normal structures.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the remaining tissue and nipples.
Dermabrasion. Mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a high-speed rotary wheel. Softens surface irregularities caused by acne, scars or wrinkles, especially around the mouth.
Facelift (rhytidectomy). A surgical procedure to improve sagging facial skin, jowls and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, and repositioning the skin.
Liposuction procedures improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device.
Thermage lifting is known as a non-surgical face-lift. The procedure is performed using an advance radio frequency energy called ThermaCool TC to tighten and lift the skin.
Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure to remove abdominal fat and extra skin present in obesity or after pregnancies. A mini-tummy tuck may be performed in smaller affected areas.

Dental

Implants. Over the past two decades the use of dental implants has grown in favor of traditional bridges and crowns, so much so, that an entire dental sub-specialty – dental implantology – has made a huge mark on contemporary prosthetic dentistry.
Dental crowns refer to the restoration of teeth using materials that are fabricated by indirect methods which are cemented into place. A crown is used to cap or completely cover a tooth. They are tooth restorations that protect damaged, cracked or broken down teeth. A crown strengthens your existing damaged tooth so as to preserve its functionality. Dental crowns are also commonly known as caps.
Root canal treatment (otherwise known as endodontic treatment) is a procedure to remove decayed or infected ‘pulp’. Pulp is the name used to describe the blood and nerve supply that stretches into the root of the tooth through the root canal. The canal is removed of damaged pulp and filled in during root canal treatment.

Dermatology A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. After earning a medical degree and completing an internship, a dermatologist receives three more years of specialty medical training, becoming an expert dedicated to skin, hair and nails. Many dermatologists have general practices and see patients with all types of skin concerns.

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. If left unchecked, these cancer cells can spread from the skin into other tissues and organs. There are different types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and it develops from abnormal growth of the cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis. Melanoma, which is less common, but more dangerous, occurs in the melanocytes (cells that produce pigment). It is the leading cause of death from skin disease. Skin cancers may have many different appearances. They can be small, shiny, waxy, scaly and rough, firm and red, crusty or bleeding, or have other features. Any such skin abnormalities should be checked by a physician.
Cutaneous candidiasis is infection of the skin with candida fungus. The body normally hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body, some produce no harm or benefit, and some can cause harmful infections. Fungal infections are caused by fungi that live on the hair, nails, and outer skin layers. Infection can involve almost any skin on the body, but most often it occurs in warm, moist, creased areas such as the armpits and groin.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most persons with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales. Psoriasis seems to be an inherited disorder. Doctors think it probably occurs when the body's immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances. Skin cells grow deep in the skin and normally rise to the surface about once a month, but with psoriasis, this process is too fast and dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface.

Diagnostic scans

CT Scan, or computed tomography scan uses X-rays to get data from different angles around the body. The data is processed by a computer, interpreted by radiologists and used to diagnose problems like heart disease, cancers and muscle disorders.
MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnetic and radio waves, and therefore, does not expose the patient to x-rays or radiation. The MRI scan can create very detailed pictures and it is an excellent technique for diagnosing tumors in the brain. The MRI is totally painless and has no side effects.
PET, or positron emission tomography scan, is a nuclear medicine technique using a camera that captures powerful images of the body, showing its internal chemistry. Unlike a CT or MRI scan, it can actually detect early chemical and metabolic changes in diseased states, making it ideal for the early diagnosis of cancers.

Ear-Nose-Throat

An otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, provides medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and related structures of the head and neck. They diagnose and provide medical and surgical treatment of diseases and have skills and knowledge in audiology and speech-language pathology; the chemical senses; allergy, endocrinology, and neurology as they relate to the head and neck.

Cochlear implant: A small complex electronic device that is surgically placed (implanted) within the inner ear to help persons with certain types of deafness to hear. Cochlear implants can help some hearing-impaired people to distinguish the sounds of language clearly enough to participate in a verbal environment. A cochlear implant has four basic parts: a microphone, a speech processor, a transmitter and a receiver/stimulator. The receiver converts the signals into electrical impulses and sends them to the brain. Hearing aids will amplify sound, but cochlear implants compensate for damaged or non-working parts of the inner ear. Adults who have lost all or most of their hearing later in life may also benefit from cochlear implants, to help them to understand speech without visual cues such as lip-reading or sign language.

Full Body Exams Also called an executive health check, it usually involves full body scans and diagnostic screenings that can reveal problems with the liver, kidney, thyroid, heart, brain and digestive systems. Check for diabetes, hearing and vision disorders, cardiac stress, osteoporosis and cancers while they are still in the early stages and easily treatable.

General Surgery A general surgeon is trained to diagnose, treat and manage patients with a broad spectrum of surgical conditions affecting almost any area of the body. The surgeon establishes the diagnosis and provides the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care to patients and is often responsible for the comprehensive management of the trauma victim and the critically ill patient. The general surgeon has the knowledge and technical skills to manage conditions that relate to the head and neck, breast, skin and soft tissues, abdomen, extremities, and the gastrointestinal, vascular, and endocrine systems.

Gall Bladder Removal or cholecystecomy. The gall bladder, which stores bile, sometimes becomes obstructed or damaged and needs to be removed.
Prostate Surgery. The prostate, a small gland found in males below the bladder, makes some of the semen used to carry sperm. It may become enlarged in older men, preventing the bladder from emptying completely. A partial or total resection (TURP) allows the bladder to function fully.

Oncology is an area of medicine that deals with the study of symptoms, treatments, causes and risk factors of cancer; more specifically, the physical, chemical and biologic properties and features of neoplasms and tumors.

Ophthalmology An ophthalmologist specializes in the comprehensive care of patients with disorders of their eyes and vision. Ophthalmologists are medically trained to diagnose and medically and surgically treat all ocular and visual disorders, including prescribing glasses and contact lenses. These specialists also treat problems affecting the eye and it structures, the eyelids, the orbit, the visual pathway, and acquired onset of double vision. Cataract operations and basic glaucoma procedures are commonly performed by these specialists.

Refractive Eye Surgery is any eye surgery used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses. This can include various methods of surgically reshaping the curvature of the cornea. Successful refractive eye surgery can reduce or cure common vision disorders such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Retinal Detachment. A detached retina lacks oxygen, which causes cells in the area to die. This can lead to blindness. If holes in the retina are found before a detachment occurs, an ophthalmologist can close the holes using a laser. This is usually done in the doctor's office. The health care provider injects a bubble of gas into your eye. You will be positioned so the gas floats up against the hole in the retina and pushes it back into place. The surgeon will use a laser to permanently seal the hole.
Cataract removal is a procedure to remove a clouded lens (cataract) from the eye. The procedure almost always includes placing an artificial lens in the eye. The normal lens of the eye is transparent. As a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy and blocks light from entering your eye. Cataracts are painless. The surgery is performed in a hospital or surgery center in an outpatient clinic, and adults are usually awake for the procedure. A man-made lens, called an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), is usually placed next. It will help improve your vision.
Vision Problems. There are many types of eye problems and visual disturbances. These include blurred vision, halos, blind spots, floaters, and other symptoms. Blurred vision is the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see small details. Changes in vision, blurriness, blind spots, halos around lights, or dimness of vision should always be evaluated by a medical professional. Such changes may represent an eye disease, aging, eye injury, or a condition like diabetes that affects many organs in your body.

Orthopedic Surgery An orthopedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. Specialized care is provided for patients with musculoskeletal problems including congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbance of the musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries an degenerative disease of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow in children and adults.

Hip Replacement may be recommended if you have hip pain that is not relieved by physical therapy, medicines or exercise. The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from your hip joint and replaces them with new, man-made parts. This can relieve pain, and improve both mobility and flexibility.
Hip Resurfacing replaces the socket and puts a new surface on the femoral head instead of replacing the ball. The procedure is usually offered to younger patients, under 55, who want to maintain an active lifestyle.
Knee Arthroscopy is one of the most frequent procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of knee injuries. A small telescopic instrument with a lens and surgical attachments is inserted into the knee through small minimally invasive incisions.

Physical Therapy. The treatment of physical dysfunction or injury which uses therapeutic exercise to develop, maintain and facilitate normal function and range of movement.

Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgery encompasses both reconstructive surgery, which is the reconstruction of facial and body parts disfigured by birth disorders, trauma, burns or disease, and cosmetic surgery which involves the enhancement of appearance by reshaping normal structures. Plastic surgeons specialize in the care of patients requiring repair, replacement, and reconstruction of defects of the form and function of the body covering and its underlying musculoskeletal system, with emphasis on the craniofacial structures, the oropharynx, the upper and lower limbs, and the breast.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the remaining tissue and nipples.
Dermabrasion. Mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a high-speed rotary wheel. Softens surface irregularities caused by acne, scars or wrinkles, especially around the mouth.
Facelift (rhytidectomy). A surgical procedure to improve sagging facial skin, jowls and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, and repositioning the skin.
Liposuction procedures improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device.
Thermage lifting is known as a non-surgical face-lift. The procedure is performed using an advance radio frequency energy called ThermaCool TC to tighten and lift the skin.
Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure to remove abdominal fat and extra skin present in obesity or after pregnancies. A mini-tummy tuck may be performed in smaller affected areas.

Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine - The stem cells found in our body are non-specific cells, meaning that they can easily replicate themselves to form specific cells like heart muscle cells, blood cells, bone and cartilage, nerve cells etc. to perform in each of those specific functions. Stem cells are used to treat patients with conditions for which traditional treatment offers less than optimal options. Those conditions include Autoimmune Diseases, Cerebral Palsy, Critical Limb Ischemia, Degenerative Joint Disease, Diabetes Type II, Heart Failure, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spinal Injury. The stem cells are harvested from bone marrow of the patient under local anesthesia, and are reintroduced into the body as a transfusion. The procedure does not require any surgery or special measures. On average, the patient needs to stay two days in the hospital for monitoring and observation.

SURGERY	USA	GUATEMALA	COSTA RICA	MEXICO	INDA	SINGAPORE	THAILAND
Angioplasty	$57,000	$11,800	$13,000	$16,000	$8,500	$7,500	$7,000
Breast Implants	$10,000	$3,300	$3,500	$8,000	$4,500	$5,400	$3,700
Crown, porcelain	$1,900	$290	$350	$425	$300	$400	$395
Dental Implant	$3,400	$1,550	$1,650	$1,700	$700	$2,900	$1,600
Eyelids, upper & lower	$6,800	$1,700	$2,200	$2,750	$1,800	$1,600	$2,300
Face Lift	$19,000	$4,900	$5,900	$7,200	$7,000	$4,000	$6,600
Heart Bypass	$144,000	$16,900	$25,000	$20,000	$10,000	$18,500	$24,000
Heart Valve Replacement	$170,000	$18,000	$30,000	$30,000	$12,000	$13,500	$22,000
Hip Replacement	$50,000	$10,200	$12,500	$13,125	$8,000	$11,100	$14,000
Hip Resurfacing	$44,000	$9,000	$12,000	$12,800	$8,250	$12,000	$16,000
Hysterectomy	$22,000	$4,300	$5,500	$6,675	$5,500	$4,000	$5,000
Knee Replacement	$50,000	$7,106	$11,500	$10,650	$8,500	$12,800	$12,000
Lap Band	$30,000	$9,000	$10,500	$11,000	$7,500	$12,000	$12,000
Liposuction	$9,000	$2,400	$2,400	$2,800	$2,200	$2,300	$2,100
Rhinoplasty	$10,500	$3,850	$5,500	$4,165	$3,500	$2,700	$3,400
Root Canal	$750	$145	$280	$260	$100	$140	$110
Spinal Fusion	$100,000	$14,500	$15,000	$17,000	$12,000	$18,300	$11,000

Guatemalan Prices include: Doctor fees, Anesthesia, Operating room and materials, Medications, Pre-op and Post-op facility fees.

Guatemala Medical Travel

Treatment referral and travel services agency.