General Surgery in Hua Hin

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 Hua Hin?

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 Hua Hin. 

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 Hua Hin

About Hua Hin

Perched on the seaside and a mere 195 km from Bangkok, sits the resort town of Hua Hin. Once a modest and peaceful island, it has since transformed into a prominent tourist destination within Thailand, boasting superb infrastructure and a diverse range of accommodation options. These cater to the growing ex-pat community and the influx of tourists who make their way to this picturesque town each year.

Hua Hin is synonymous with exceptional healthcare services that draw in medical tourists from all over the globe. This influx can be attributed to the town's provision of top-tier medical treatments that uphold high international standards. But it is not only the medical offerings that attract these visitors, they also revel in the unique sights, shopping experiences, and the unmatched Thai hospitality available in Hua Hin. Consequently, this charming seaside town has secured its place as one of the most sought-after wellness destinations on a global scale.

The benefits of traveling to Hua Hin as a medical tourist are as follows.

• Affordability: The treatments and medical procedures performed here cost only a fraction of the price you would expect to pay in your home country.
• Highly reputed professionals: Well-trained Doctors, who have a good understanding of the English language, are ready to serve you.
• Latest technology: You will find the hospitals equipped with modern and up-to-date medical equipment & technology.
• Wide range of Procedures: Cosmetic surgery, anti-aging treatments, cardiac surgery, premium-health check-ups are some of the more popular treatments amongst the medical tourists visiting Hua Hin.

Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin, San Paulo Hospital, and Hua Hin Hospital are some of the well- known healthcare centers of this Beach resort town.

Popular areas in Hua Hin

• Khao Takiab: The vibrant suburb lies 7 km away from the town and the main attractions include Khao Mountains, the 20 m tall Buddhist Statue, and the beach. You can enjoy the variety and taste of the delicious seafood. Tourists can also indulge in a variety of activities such as kayaking, swimming, jet-skiing, banana boat ride, and parasailing. Several budget hotels and luxurious resorts are available in the neighborhood to accommodate visitors.
• Cha-Am Beach: The beach is stunning yet quiet. You can relax while reading a novel or under a parasol for a traditional Thai massage. You will find stretches of local food shops, budget hotels, and guesthouses and the replica of the famous Greek island, Santorini is the highlight of this region.
• Cicada Market: The famous Cicada Market houses an impressive array of shops that sell handicrafts, paintings, glass-blown figurines of animals, T-shirts with graphic designs, and more. You can even get your own caricature painted for 300 THB.

Ensure to include the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, Black Mountain Water Park, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, Plearn Wan Shopping Village, Hutsadin Elephant Foundation, Wat Bor Fai, and Ratchapak Park in your itinerary. These attractions will only help to make your trip more memorable and fun-filled.

Weather and Climate in Hua Hin

Hua Hin has a tropical climate and experiences three distinct seasons: Wet, Dry, and Hot.

• Dry season: November to February. The average temperature is around 26°C during the dry season. The nights get cooler and sunshine is in abundance during the day. Afternoons are quite windy with high tides. It seldom rains during this season.
• Hot season: March to June. The average temperature can rise to 29°C. Some days can be very hot with temperatures as high as 35°C or more. Even during the night, the weather is dry and hot. However, towards the end of the season, you can expect moderate rains.
• Wet season: July to October. The average temperature remains around 28°C. Evenings are generally cool and pleasant. The afternoons receive moderate to heavy downpours. October is the wettest month at Hua Hin. There were incidences of flooding in downtown a few years back. Thankfully, the runoff is too quick to cause any potential damage.

November to March is the best time to visit Hua Hin.

Getting around in Hua Hin

Hua Hin International Airport is 15 minutes away from Hua Hin city center. Recently, the Thai Government proposed plans costing 3.5 billion Baht to reform and upgrade the airport to handle more passengers. Right now, the airport handles charted flights, besides Air Asia's Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur domestic flights.

Within the City, you can use the daily ferry service to commute to cities like Pattaya, Ko Samui, and Ko Tao. As Bangkok lies close to Hua Hin, you can drive or take the train to the capital city. Hua Hin Railway station operates several ordinary, express, and special express trains to its neighboring towns and cities.

Moving around the compact town of Hua Hin is an easy task. The Songtaew generally serves as the preferred and most economical mode of transport, setting you back just 10 Baht for a distance of 1-3 km. Tuk-tuks, while more expensive, come into play for closer distances, exacting a minimum fare of 150 Baht for a distance within a kilometer. For those seeking a middle-ground price point, motorbike taxis offer a feasible solution, charging around 60 Baht for a distance spanning 1-3 km. Additionally, conventional taxis and rickshaws remain readily available, bringing further convenience to commuting within Hua Hin.

Beyond these options, the town also caters to those who prefer to employ self-navigated modes of transport. Car and bike rental services are plentiful in Hua Hin, providing visitors the freedom to roam around the city at their own pace. Whether you're driving down the scenic coastal route or cycling through the charming city streets, these personalized transport services add a layer of adventure and exploration to your Hua Hin travel experience.

Tourist visas in Hua Hin

Thailand has a relatively flexible visa policy, which makes it a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Citizens of many countries, including the G7 countries, can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. Citizens of some other countries, such as India, China, Russia, Bulgaria, and Saudi Arabia, can obtain a visa on arrival, which allows them to stay for up to 15 days.

If you are planning to stay in Thailand for longer than 15 days, or if you are traveling to Thailand for a specific purpose, such as work or study, you may need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. There are different types of non-immigrant visas available, depending on your purpose of travel.

You can apply for a non-immigrant visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need to provide a valid passport, a visa application form, and other supporting documents, such as a letter of invitation from a Thai company or university.

The processing time for non-immigrant visas can vary, so it is important to apply well in advance of your travel date.

Here are some additional tips for applying for a Thailand visa:

• Make sure that you have all of the required documents.
• Be prepared to answer questions about your trip and your purpose for visiting Thailand.
• Be aware that the visa requirements for Thailand can change at any time, so it is always best to check with the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country before you travel.

Additional Information

1. Thai is the official language largely spoken throughout the country. The locals in Hua Hin speak good English. Yet, it is indispensable to learn a few common Thai words and phrases.
2. Hua Hin’s currency is the Thai Baht (TBH). 1 US dollar is approximately around 34.5559 THB as of 2023. 
3. All of the big resorts and restaurants accept credit card payments. You can also find many ATM machines and money exchange booths across the city.
4. Most of the population in Hua Hin practices Buddhism, followed by Islam and Christianity. When talking about members of Thailand's Royal Family you must be respectful as it is of the highest priority.
5. The people of Hua Hin celebrate many festivals. New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year, Makha Bucha, Chakri Day, Songkran, Coronation Day are a few of them. The exact festival date varies every year on a Western Calendar.