A Surprising New Cosmetic Trend: Surgery to Grow Taller

This year, cosmetic procedures are predicted to be more popular than ever before. Breast augmentation, Botox, and liposuction are seen as common surgeries, even though they are still quite invasive.

But nothing holds a candle to what you're about to read. This procedure might be the ultimate in invasive cosmetic surgeries, and many experts don't think it's worth the risk.

Bone stretching surgery (distraction osteogenesis) is a procedure designed to lengthen bones. It works by sawing the bone completely in half, and then slowly stretching it to create space for new bone to grow -- and thus, creating longer limbs.

Because this is such an extreme surgery, candidates must have a birth defect, serious injury or other health condition that creates abnormal limb length.

Recently, more people without health problems are seeking out this year-and-a-half long procedure...simply for cosmetic reasons.

Would you saw your legs in half just so you could grow a few extra inches, or do you think this surgery should be saved for people who actually need it?

One orthopedic surgeon believes for the average person, it just isn't worth the risk.

Dr. Brett Rocos told RealSelf: “You are creating a new fracture in the bone every few days and the worry would be faulty healing. The new bone might not form completely, or heal in an unusual shape so that the bone becomes deformed. As a purely cosmetic operation, it’s not worth the risk.”

To learn more, read the full article: Is Cosmetic Bone Stretching Surgery Safe? 

The 10 Best Global Health Care Destinations of 2011

With the rising costs of health care in the United States, patients need other options. Medical tourism is a way to receive high quality medical care at surprisingly affordable prices.

However, traveling for health care is a big deal, and it's important for patients to be as informed as possible before embarking on a global medical journey.

WhereismyDoctor.com has compiled the top 10 medical tourism destinations of 2011, based on quality of care and affordability.

The destinations that made the list this year are world-renowned health care leaders, and offer only the very best to medical tourists. Top countries for medical tourism this year include: Brazil, India, Thailand and Turkey.

For the full list, plus procedure and pricing information, read the full article: Top 10 Medical Tourism Destinations of 2011

Why You Should Consider Orthopedic Surgery in Spain

Spain has been known as a favorite vacation spot for decades, famous for its sangria, bullfights, lively festivals, and beautiful scenery.

Millions of visitors visit Spain each year hoping to experience all of this, plus the cuisine, history, and breathtaking architecture that covers the nation.

However, a select group of tourists visit Spain for an entirely different reason: health care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) named Spain the 7th best health care system in the world in 2006, and since then, an influx of medical tourists have been traveling to Spain for all types of medical procedures including cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, bariatric surgery, and orthopedic surgery.

Orthopedic surgery in Spain is ideal to patients looking for the highest quality procedures, doctors and care, at a 30 to 70 percent discount.

To learn more about the benefits, read the full article: Spain: A World-Class Orthopedic Surgery Destination

Heath Care Costs in the U.S. vs. Abroad: Learn the Benefits

Millions of patients hailing from all over the globe know the true benefits of medical tourism.

Generally, the main motivation to travel abroad for health care is to avoid exuberant medical bills, which is a problem for patients in the United States.

The cost of certain surgical procedures is significantly cheaper in countries such as Mexico, India, Turkey, and Thailand, because the cost of living is lower in these countries, and surgeons don't demand extravagant salaries like in the U.S. For this reason, procedures like heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, weight loss surgery and IVF are affordable for patients, which is the way medical care should be, isn't it?

Patients Beyond Borders breaks down the top ten medical tourist destinations for Americans, along with the average overall savings for patients:

1. Brazil: 25 to 40 percent
2. Costa Rica: 40 to 65 percent
3. India: 65 to 90 percent
4. South Korea: 30 to 45 percent
5. Malaysia: 65 to 80 percent
6. Mexico: 40 to 65 percent
7. Singapore: 30 to 45 percent
8. Taiwan: 40 to 55 percent
9. Thailand: 50 to 70 percent
10. Turkey: 50 to 65 percent

With savings this good, it might be tempting to book a plane ticket right now, but experts recommend that patients take certain precautions before embarking on a medical vacation overseas.


To learn more, read the full article: Medical Tourism - How Much Can You Save?

Thailand Offers Plastic Surgery and More for Medical Tourists

Thailand is a beautiful country, full of unique cultural, culinary and adventure experiences for the millions of travelers that visit each year.

This Asian country is also a hotspot for medical tourism, offering some of the best, affordable health care in the world.

It is estimated that more than 1.5 million medical tourists travel to Thailand annually to undergo a variety of elective and non-elective medical procedures.

Among the most popular fields of medicine in Thailand are plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, cardiology, oncology, orthopedic surgery, bariatric surgery, and organ transplantation. JCI accredited and certified hospitals, world-class doctors and a serene environment make Thailand one of the most ideal places to have surgery on the planet.

To learn more, read the full article: Health Tourism Goes Far Beyond Plastic Surgery in Thailand

Bionic Body Parts are Set to Revolutionize Organ Transplantation

The Six Million Dollar Man was a popular TV show in the 1970's about an injured astronaut who was rebuilt with bionic body parts. His superhuman abilities captured the attention of viewers, but nobody ever imagined that one day this could be a reality.

Today, science has become so far advanced, that man-made limbs, blood vessels and organs are actually on their way to being used in surgery; and there's no doubt that this technology will change health care as we know it.

Scientists around the world are currently working on a few amazing developments that can help patients with serious health issues. Bionic eyeballs are being designed to restore patients' lost vision, bionic livers will help patients survive long liver transplant waiting lists, fabricated arteries will give heart disease patients a new lease on life, and bionic ovaries could possibly help restore a woman's fertility.

All of these developments are currently in the works, with many already in human clinical trials.

The future of medicine is looking very bright, especially after seeing this amazing new technology in the field of organ transplantation.

To learn more, read the full article: Are Bionic Body Parts the Future of Organ Transplants?

Stem Cell Arthritis Treatment Has Potential to Revolutionize Care for Patients

In a matter of just five years, scientists hope to eliminate arthritis joint pain, possibly for good.

Using a revolutionary new stem cell therapy, orthopedic surgeons and arthritis experts are working on a way to restore joint cartilage with a single injection.

Stem cells taken from the patient would be transformed into cartilage cells, injected into the patient's afflicted joint, and ideally, grow new cartilage in the arthritic area.

Scientists claim that this might eliminate the need for patients to undergo painful
joint replacement surgery, which today is seen as a last resort for long-time arthritis sufferers.

To learn more, read the full article: Arthritis Treatment May Prevent the Need for Orthopedic Surgery

Medical Tourism Creates a Global Health Care Standard

The rising popularity of medical tourism has changed global health care for the better.

Medical tourism is defined as traveling to another country for medical treatment or surgery.

Generally, procedures within the fields of orthopedic care, plastic surgery, infertility and  cardiology can be very expensive, which is the reason more and more patients are seeking an alternative.

Medical tourism offers patients cost savings of up to 80 percent, but low price isn't the only attractive element of this industry.

Countries around the globe have invested billions of dollars to improve their health care systems, earn accreditation for their hospitals and doctors, and to build five-star medical recovery "resorts" to further appeal to international patients.

To learn more about the growing medical tourism industry, read the full article: The Global Growth of Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism is Growing in Popularity Amongst Americans

In the United States, the cost of health care is high, even for families with health insurance!

While the American government is trying to reform the struggling health care system, its people have taken matters into their own hands.

Recently, more American patients have given medical tourism a chance. It's estimated that 550,000 U.S. citizens will travel abroad this year for medical procedures.

This rapidly rising trend has also caused internationally-based hospitals to really get their act together, and raise their standards to accommodate foreign patients.

To learn more about popular treatments, and the best locations in medical tourism, read the full article: More Americans Embrace Medical Tourism

Orthopedic Care

Most of us suffer, or have suffered in the past, from orthopedic problems; from a twist of an ankle to a hart-hitting football injury.

Serious cases of orthopedic problems require surgery to help treat the affected body part. Whether it is hip replacement, orthopedic braces or a total reconstruction (anthroplasty), there are different types of orthopedic treatments that help heal various body parts.

Learn more on orthopedic care and orthopedic treatment options: The Definitive Guide to Orthopedic Care