Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BRawk]

I broke the 3rd metacarpal bone in my left hand (a simple fracture with small dis placement.) The surgeon will be putting in screws and a plate, local anesthetic, and says I will be required to stay for 2-3 nights. When I asked about the price I also got the runaround but he finally settled on "probabally less than one million."
This sounds like a long stay, and a lot of money, for a local anesthetic procedure. I am in Gangneung so my options are limited.
Any advice or experience you could share would be appreciated.

[dr. love]

I work at a university hospital in Seoul. I would not recommend getting the surgery in Gangneung. From my experience, a similar surgery at our hospital would cost about the same. We also specialize in orthropedic surgery. If you'd like a consult let me know.

[JAWINSEOUL]

I would only say to get more opinions and go to a doctor close to Central Seoul where they may speak better English. Also a written estimate may be a good idea. I know they are really trusting of each other, but you need to protect yourself.

Also the Canadian Embassy or your local embassy should have a list of Doctors you could use.

[OiGirl]

You probably need to stay in the hospital for insurance coverage. But in your pajamas you can go anywhere you'd like...

[tob55]

You must be in the hospital for more than 3 days in order to collect your insurance benefits. This is standard in Korea. The general care of the hospital patients is provided by friends and family members. The doctor will make a token visit to your room once or twice a day, but don't expect much in the way of helpful exchange to tell you what is going on. You will have to pay your bill or make arrangement upon leaving the hospital, and by all means if someone else was involved, you should see if their insurance will pay for any of the bills. These are just a few of the things I know about staying in Korean hospitals. I believe depending on the surgery you mentioned it is a little on the high side cost wise. You might be better to get a Korean friend, acquaintance or significant other to help out in the process.

[cruisemonkey]

[BRawk]

Thanks for the replies.
It's Asan University hospital, and it seems lik its well run. My doc speaks fantastic English, but I'm sure other staff doesn;t.
Do I have to stay in the hospital for 3 days...or more than 3 days?
And I'm thinkin of spendin up for the private room, anyone have any advice about room choice.

[dr. love]

If you want privacy and control of the tv, i'd get the private room.

[quercus]

i had a bunch of metal rods, pins and plates put in my leg and shoulder in mokpo way down in jeolla-do 4 years ago or so. i was in surgery for like 5 hours or something. stayed in hospital a week, then flew home for 5 month bc i couldnt teach. anyway, in their po-dunk mokpo hospital they did a terrific job, according to american doctor, for a fraction of the price. no problems. broken bones are pretty obvious about what to do.

the doctor spoke a little english, but was super nice, all the other in-patients were super nice.

that stuff about the private room- good advice. i was in a room with like 8 other people, most of them older, and each person had someone staying with them to take care of them. the doctor had me hire an older ajumma to sleep under my hospital bed and do whatever i wanted, like feed me, crank up my bed, etc. but a private room would have been sweet.

good luck. no worries.

[Dazed and Confused]

I broke my hand in the same place and had bone displacement as well a few years back. I went to a small ortheopedic hospital thinking it wasn't something serious and when the doctor wanted to operate I went to a bigger hospital. They decided not to operate but yanked on my hand and arm in opposite directions, set the bone, and wrapped it up. I was in a brace for 4 weeks. No surgery, cheaper, JUST ALOT OF PAIN! Ask youR doctor if you can avoid surgery.

[numazawa]

Whew! I was afraid this was going to be another one of those Frankenstein-monster type home-hobby penile extension horror stories I keep reading about on the CE forum.

[plus99]

im sure theres a joke in there somewhere about boning and screwing.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

Welcome to the club!! I hope that everything will go well with the op. At my most metallic, I had 2 pins, 2 plates, 2 big screws and 14 little ones in my body in 3 different places. I had the 2 pins and 4 little screws out a few years ago because one of the little screws had come loose, but all of the others are still in me. I've become a little attached to them by now...

[cunning_stunt]

P#ssy .

[plus99]

really? mr t in stained glass?