General Surgery in Bali

General surgery is a surgical specialty that deals with a wide range of common ailments on almost any part of the body but typically focuses on treating diseases and injuries of the abdomen, including the esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, appendix, gallbladder, and bile ducts. It also deals with diseases that involve the breasts, skin, soft tissue, digestive system, and endocrine system glands. 

Despite the term “general,” general surgeons are highly skilled surgeons. They can be found practicing many types of surgery, but they may also specialize in a type of surgery, such as treating cancer, which requires the skill to perform procedures on multiple areas of the body. 

Some common surgeries that are performed by general surgeons are as follows:

• Appendectomy.
• Breast surgery for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, including breast biopsy, lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy), and mastectomy. 
• Colon and rectal surgery, including colectomy, colostomy, and hemorrhoidectomy.
• Esophageal surgery, including esophagectomy, acid reflux surgery, and excision of an esophageal lesion.
• Gastroenterology procedures, such as gastric bypass surgery, upper GI endoscopy, and liver biopsy.
• Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
• Hernia repair.
• Varicose vein removal.
• Thyroid removal.
• Transplant, such as kidney and liver transplantations.
• Spleen removal.
• Wound repair.

How Long Should I Stay in Bali?

Your length of stay depends on the type of surgery you underwent. In general, you should wait for at least seven to ten days before you travel home, sometimes extending to 14 days. During your stay, you will need to rest as much as possible and let your body recover. In some cases, your surgeon may schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate your healing and, if needed, remove any stitches.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the type of surgery you have and your general health. Anytime you have some sort of incision, you will have to wait until that incision has healed completely until you can go back to your full normal routine. Your surgeon will give you an idea of how long your recovery time can take. It can take a few weeks until you are allowed to return to work, and you may need to gradually increase your activity level until you can resume all of your normal activity.

What Aftercare is Required?

To speed your recovery time and avoid complications, it is important to follow the instructions you are given. Even a simple instruction, such as no baths after your surgery, may not seem meaningful, but your surgeon would not instruct it without good reason. You will need to have regular checkups after your surgery, but you can typically choose to have the checkups with your local doctor at home if you cannot make multiple travels to Bali. 

What's the Success Rate?

With new techniques, advanced technology, and extensive experience of general surgeons, the success and safety rate for general surgery continues to increase. For example, general surgeons can now use laparoscopic techniques or perform robot-assisted surgery to minimize the risk and increase the success rate of surgery. These new techniques are possible thanks to continuous research and advancement in general surgery. Still, no surgical procedure is risk-free. All types of surgery generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and damage to other organs. 

Are there Alternatives?

There is typically no alternative to general surgery. However, if your doctor suspects that you need a specific specialist for your disease or injury, they will refer you to the relevant specialist. 

General Surgery in and around Bali

About Bali

Bali is an Indonesian province located on the west side of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is the country’s main tourist hotspot that attracts millions of tourists each year. The beaches are tranquil and perfect for any sun-seeker, the marine life is one of the most diverse in the world, the culture is beautiful, and the mountains are covered in lush jungles and great for hiking. In addition to the natural and cultural beauty, there are myriad of things that tourists can do here, from yoga, partying, surfing, to horseback riding.

Bali is not only full of fascinating beaches, but this tropical paradise also boasts many high-quality medical facilities offering various types of treatments. The island continues to upgrade its infrastructure and develop its medical centers to compete with neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Thailand. Medical tourists are able to avail of a wide range of treatments including cosmetic surgery and at affordable rates. The medical centers have modern equipment, and there is little to no waiting time for almost every procedure. Additionally, the island is also equipped with exclusive yoga centers, Bali-traditional spas, and Jamu traditional medicinal herbs.

Popular Areas in Bali

• Seminyak is known to be the most luxurious area in Bali. Tourists will find many fashionable boutiques, upscale restaurants, and exclusive clubs. In the afternoon, tourists can soak up the sun while sipping a cocktail in one of its famous beach clubs or take a beginner surfing lesson at one of its beaches. The main beach is Petitenget Beach where tourists can enjoy magical sunsets or swim in its warm waters. The area is also home to Bali’s best cafés, which makes café hopping a must-do event.  
• The Nusa Islands is located around 20 kilometers offshore from the main island and can only be accessed by boat. It consists of three islands: Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida. The most popular and the closest to the main island of Bali is Nusa Lembongan. The biggest is Nusa Penida and the smallest is Nusa Ceningan. The three islands offer tranquil and almost-empty beaches, which is perfect for anyone who wishes to stay away from crowds.  
• Ubud is the island’s jungle paradise that still retains numerous aspects of traditional Balinese. It is the place for tourists who wants to immerse in Bali’s culture and nature. There are various beautiful temples, dance shows, and historical sites within the area. The most popular place is Ubud Monkey Forest or the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which is a sacred temple, an evocative jungle, and natural habitat of monkeys.
• Sanur is Bali’s earliest beach resort and is located on the eastern side of the island; it contains some of the island’s first hotels. The area is known to be family-friendly as well as one of the best places to enjoy Bali’s magnificent sunrises. Sanur is very quiet which makes it the perfect place for relaxation. Wander around for a day and you will find many major cultural landmarks hidden in plain sight.
• Canggu is famous for its green rice fields, dark sandy beaches, and healthy food. This up-and-coming area is also filled with cool cafes and vegan restaurants. It is also a prime spot for surfing since the beaches have massive shore breaks. One of the most famous places in the area is the Pura Tanah Lot Temple as it is a famous seaside religious site located on top of a rock formation, which offers a picturesque view.

Weather and Climate in Bali

Bali enjoys warm and comfortable weather all year round. The tropical island experiences two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season starts in April and ends in October. The average temperatures during this season are between 23 °C to 31 °C. June to August are the driest months, making them the best months to visit the island. The wet season is from November to March. Expect to find many rainy days during the wet season. The temperatures are generally similar to the dry season, but the humidity will increase significantly. 

Getting Around in Bali

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is the main gateway to Bali and it is located 13 kilometers south of Denpasar and is the second busiest airport in Indonesia. The airport has international connections with major cities around the globe, including Bangkok, Melbourne, Moscow, and Guangzhou. It also serves domestic flights to many regions within Indonesia. The most affordable way to travel to and from Bali is by flying with budget airlines, such as AirAsia, Citilink, and Lion Air. 

There are several ways to get around Bali. Most of the transportation options are very affordable. Hiring a motorcycle is the fastest option, but if you do not like the idea of driving by yourself, you can try the motorcycle taxis known as ‘ojek,’ which can be hailed directly from the streets or by using apps such as Grab and Go-Jek (similar to Uber). The apps also provide private cars and food delivery. Taxis are widely available and run on a meter. The most reliable taxi companies are Blue Bird and Express.

Tourist Visas in Bali

Indonesia is known to be a visa-friendly country since most developed countries can enter without a visa. The country allows a citizen of 170 countries to enter and stay for up to 30 days. Citizens of Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 65 other countries can apply for a visa on arrival. It is best to check at the nearest Indonesia Embassy or Consulate to find out if you need a visa or not. All visitors are required to have a visa valid for at least 6 months. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) is the official currency, and $1 converts to Rp14.000.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists will find ATMs that accept international cards almost everywhere (mostly Visa and MasterCard). Credit and debit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants, and hotels. Tipping is not expected but will be greatly appreciated. 
3. Local Language: The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, and most people will also speak Balinese. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most people in Bali follows Hinduism, and almost every aspect on the island is submerged with the Hindu faith. There is also a large group of Muslims as well as small group groups of Christian and Buddhists. 
5. Public Holidays: Bali celebrates major religious holidays, including Nyepi (Silent Day), Eid Mubarak, Christmas, and Vesak.