Korean Job Discussion Forums

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

sorry, typing with one arm. i dislocated my elbow on a ride this morning; went to the er (microfracture + torn ligaments). i have to go back and see a specialist this week to determine what needs to be done.

krd · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Location: Daegu

I've spent a lot of time in hospitals here. They're dirty and disorganised, but in my experience the doctors and nurses have been very pleasant.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

Bread · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

Knew a guy who went in to get some kind of routine minor surgery done and they accidentally ruptured something in his spine and it's messed up forever now.

But then during a hospital stay in the US I met a guy who got his colon pierced during a colonoscopy, so there's horror stories everywhere.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

bread... that isn't comforting in the least, lol. i hate hospitals and steer clear if it isn't absolutely neccessary. this is obviously one of those i have to go situations.

Bread · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

Janny · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: all over the place

I got an appendectomy here. I went to Mokdong Edae Hospital. Overall, it was a positive experience (considering, heehe). No complications, but...they waited SO LONG to get my MRI (or whatever that scan is? CAT scan?) to figure out for sure if it was my appendix. I was in severe pain in a crowded holding area for about 4 hours. That sucked. But they said I couldn't have pain meds because they needed to diagnose accurately. Makes sense I suppose, but who knows.

They were generous with the pain meds afterwards, and that was GOOOOD.

Oh yeah. Just before I went under for the operation, I woke up out of my haze and saw about 7 doctors standing around my table examining me. I think it was some kind of training. "Check out the weigook, notice the differences and similarities". Glad I could help out!

b0101 · Joined: 24 Jul 2009

If you need to stay in the hospital, I HIGHLY suggest getting a private room and reserving it beforehand. I had my tonsils out in Korea (which here requires a hospital stay) and was so thankful I had a room to myself. The alternative, which some of my friends have faced, is having your roommates families going in and out constantly and talking all night long.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

I had two leg surgeries in Korea. I was in the hospital for a month. I wouldn't recommend it. Recouping in a foreign country is very difficult. Daily life becomes 100x more difficult due to different food, medication, communication with doctors, time off work, ect. Also, costs can escalate quite a bit. I paid several thousands of dollars and I had the National Health Insurance.

You should always expect to have some complications. If there are serious complications, what will you do? What legal recourse do you have in Korea? None.

But because it is your arm, it should be easier for you I think. At least you are still mobile.

I think it is somewhat erroneous to assume that larger university hospitals are better than smaller hospitals. Lots of mistakes happen in the larger hospitals. They can be factories that will charge you the most and want you to leave as soon as possible.

It comes down to your surgeon. If you trust, understand, and like him, then he is probably the best choice. Remember that "after-service" access to him is also very important.

But if I were you, go back home and get it fixed. And then come back to Korea when you are healthy again. But if you are American, maybe you will have no choice but to get it done in Korea.

If you must get it done in Korea, get at least 3 opinions. Surgeons are easily accessible to talk to for questions. And then choose the most logical choice of the 3.

koreancubfan · Joined: 23 May 2007

I had surgery at Konkuk University hospital July 2008.. I tore the sheath around my perenial tendon in my ankle while rock climbing. I was in the hospital 5 nights. The surgery went great. I'm fully recovered now. The Dr. was great. The staff at the hospital was great. I had a semi private room (4 of us shared one room). If you go the cheap way you share with 8 people and super plush you can have a private room. The surgery and stay at the hospital was about 1.8 million won. Surgery sucks but I would rate the experience a 9/10. Good luck..

mimis · Joined: 24 May 2009

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

I have never had to get surgery here but my wife (Korean) and one of kids has.

My advice is to go to one of the big name hospitals such as Samsung or Hyundai Asan (sp?). They are first class and you will get care as good if not better than you can get in your home country, and if you are American, at a tiny fraction of the cost.

My other advice is stay away from the small hospitals. They are simply nowhere near as good as back home for the most part.

They should accept your medical insurance for any non-elective surgery. You should not have to pay too much unless you come from some country where medical care is free or close to it (except for the taxes you pay).

Good luck!

Scamps · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Samsung Hospital in Gangnam is supposedly one of the 10 top hospitals in the world. I've never been there but when I've got an ache or pain I go to Severance Hospital in Sinchon near Hongdae. They're wonderful and professional.