Medical Tourism: How It Works 

Las Vegas has plenty of nicknames — Sin City, Disneyland for Adults, and Lost Wages among them. Whatever you choose to call it, Las Vegas has compelling sights, events, and shopping. You can also access specialized medical care here. 

Medical tourism involves leaving your home country — or even your home state — to seek a specialized procedure. It allows you access to top doctors and surgeons around the world while you experience a new culture and city.

At Slim Vegas Bariatric & General Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, our fellowship-trained bariatric specialist, Jon Williams, MD, provides high-quality, expert bariatric procedures that exceed patients’ expectations. We also have the advantage of being located in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

There are many reasons people choose to pay cash for medical services elsewhere, such as accessing expert care, seeking out cutting-edge technology, and experiencing shorter wait times for procedures. 

If you’re considering traveling for bariatric or other surgical services and you also love hitting the casinos, the shops, or seeing your favorite stars perform live, here are a few tips about how to make the most of your medical tour in Las Vegas and how to leave it lighter — in body and spirit — than when you arrived.

International consultations

All medical procedures begin with a consultation. If you live outside of the United States, consult a travel medicine specialist who can make sure you meet all of the requirements — including immunizations — for travel to the US.

Your travel medicine specialist also conducts a thorough medical examination to be sure you’re safe to travel. They take a comprehensive medical history, including an evaluation of any medications and supplements you take.

If you’re overweight or obese, you may be at special risk for complications of flying, such as swelling, blood clots, and altitude sickness. Your specialist helps you prepare for the flight so you stay safe, both before and after your procedure. 

When you’re still in the healing phase after your procedure, your travel medicine specialist and our team here at Slim Vegas give you tips to travel comfortably and safely. We can even provide pointers to help with jet lag.

US consultations

If you live in the US, but must fly or drive across to reach our clinic, we conduct an initial telemedicine consultation over a secure line. We also work with your current health care team to ensure that you receive a comprehensive physical examination and medical history prior to traveling for your procedure.

Of course, you may also choose to make two trips to Vegas, one for your consultation at our clinic and one for your procedure, or to time your trip to include both appointments. Just let us know your preferences, and we work to make things easiest for you.

Book your hotel or recovery suite

Once we clear you for a weight-loss procedure, you should book your hotel or recovery suite as soon as possible. Most of our surgeries don’t require extensive recovery; in fact, you’re usually free to go home within a day or two.

Nevertheless, you may feel more comfortable staying in a suite with medical care your first few days. Nurses and other medical professionals are available 24/7 to attend to your needs and ensure that you’re comfortable. Let us know if you’d like a suite, and we can help find the right one for you.

Of course, you can also book a regular hotel for both before and after your procedure. Las Vegas hotels get busy, so be sure to book well in advance.

Recover in style

In addition to receiving quality care at Slim Vegas, one of the best reasons to book a medical tour for your weight-loss procedure is that you get to enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. The only caveat is that you may need to stick to a liquid diet (without alcohol!) for the first few weeks after your bariatric procedure, so restaurants won’t be the focus of your Vegas experience. 

However, you can find plenty of shopping, entertainment, and sights to keep all of your senses gratified during your stay. Just be sure to clear activities with us first so you stay safe and avoid complications following your procedure. 

Contact the Slim Vegas team by phone or through our online form to discuss your medical tourism options and book a consultation for a bariatric procedure to help you achieve your health and weight-loss goals.