General Surgery in Lebanon

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 Lebanon?

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 Lebanon. 

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 Lebanon

Lebanon, a country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the smallest sovereign states. The country boasts a fascinating mixture of the Middle East and the West, Christianity, and Islam, and tradition and modernity. It has everything from golden beaches and World Heritage Sites to energetic nightlife and delicious cuisine. Among other countries in the Middle East, Lebanon appears to be one of the most popular medical tourism destinations. Over 10% of the tourists visiting the country, particularly from neighboring countries, come to receive medical care. Many hospitals and clinics in the country are accredited to the ISO:9000 standard and offer world-class specialist services in spine treatment, orthopedics, organ transplant, and other complex surgeries, as well as advanced cancer treatments. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are also popular.

Popular Parts of Lebanon

Beirut, the capital and largest city of Lebanon, is filled with historic landmarks and natural wonders. The most famous attractions in the city are the National Museum of Beirut, the Corniche and Pigeon Rocks, Sursock Museum, and Mohammed Al Amin Mosque. Many people also come to Lebanon to visit the port town of Sidon. Once a rich and thriving Phoenician city, it is dotted with historical monuments and ancient remnants, particularly in its Old City. Other popular cities include Tripoly, Baalbek, Byblos, and Tyre.

Weather and Climate in Lebanon

Lebanon has four seasons: winter (December to March), spring (April to May), summer (June to September), and autumn (October to November). Winter is the rainy season with high precipitation levels and cool temperatures. It is snowy in the mountains, but in some places, such as Beirut, it just rains during this season. Summer is hot, sunny, and dry, and can get very humid in cities located close to the sea. In the summer, the average temperatures are around 28°C to 30°C. Spring and autumn are both warm and pleasant. 

Getting around in Lebanon

The main international airport where visitors fly into and out of Lebanon is Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, which is the only operational commercial airport in the country. It serves international flights to numerous major cities across Europe and the Middle East, including Moscow, Paris, London, and Dubai. Given the small size of the country, there are no internal flights. Intercity buses and minibus are available and have an extensive network, especially in coastal areas. The best way to get around the country is by hiring a car (with a driver) or by using intercity taxis. 

Tourist Visas in Lebanon

All visitors need to obtain a visa to enter and stay in Lebanon unless they come from one of the seven visa-exempt countries (including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan). Citizens of 81 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, China, Canada, and the United States, are eligible for a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. A conditional visa on arrival is available for citizens of 15 countries, including Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP) is the official currency in Lebanon. 1 USD is equivalent to around 1,507 LBP. US dollars and the euro is widely accepted as well.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available in many places around Beirut and other large cities. Many ATMs dispense both US dollars and Lebanese pounds. Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted at most major establishments. Tipping can be expected, usually around 10% to 15% of the bill. 
3. Local Language: Arabic is the official language in Lebanon. English and French are widely spoken as well, and many Lebanese can speak at least two to three languages.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam (around 60% of the population) and Christianity (around 34%) are the primary religions in Lebanon. About 5% of Lebanese practice the Druze faith, while other religions are practiced by the remaining 1% of the population.
5. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, All Saints’ Day, Resistance and Liberation Day, as well as Independence Day are some of the more important holidays in Lebanon.