Orthopedic Procedure Testimonials

Costa Rica Medical Tourism – Orthopedic Procedures:

Bob Gentes, Double Knee Replacement Video Testimonial:

Double Knee Replacement Video Testimonial by the Pidgeons, a Couple from Pennsylvania:

Hello Bill,

Our experience with the Clinca Biblica Hospital, it’s medical staff and the professionals of the international department was truly extraordinary, from the first contact, through the difficult knee replacement surgery, to the last day there.

Always responsive, in a most helpful and caring way, these fine people maintain an excellent facility and first rate medical care system

Dr. Oeding was available, communicative and supportive at all times. His excellent work was noted by my orthopedic surgeon, after I returned home.

My wife and I are especially grateful to MTCR for guiding us through this process, proactively addressing our needs and often exceeding our expectations.

Charles Rychner - Total Knee Replacement

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dear MTCR,

I truly want to thank Dr. Oeding and your team for helping me get my life back. After several years of knee pain, total replacement was my only alternative. Once you and I made contact, I didn’t have to do anything but show up. You made all the arrangements and made me feel totally comfortable in a scary situation. Coming to Costa Rica, Clinica Biblica and having Dr. Oeding as my surgeon was a wonderful experience that I won’t soon forget. The hospital staff was so nice and made sure that I had everything I needed at all times.

For me, it was a relatively easy surgery. After a few days, I was walking on my own (although slowly) and after a month, I was back doing activities that I had not done in years. My only regret is that I did not get to see enough of your beautiful country……I will be back!

Judy Crocker

Total Knee Replacement

Snellville, Georgia

USA

Dear MTCR

I cannot begin to describe my feelings – I had no life at all – the degeneration in my hip kept me bedbound and the pain made me not care about life anymore. And the cost to me as an uninsured American in an American hospital would have been over $50,000.00, which was beyond my means at the time. My total cost at Clinica Biblica, which included airfare for two and the recovery center for ten days with rehab therapy and all meals for two people, was right around $18,500… Roughly 1/3 the cost of the hospital alone in America. This is an incredible bargain that essentially made it possible for me to have a life worth living once again.

I won’t even go into my feelings regarding the quality of American hospital care vs. Costa Rican hospital care.. I’ll save that for the interview, except to say that I never hope to be put in another American hospital again. I’m already planning my next visit to Clinica Biblica for some neurological work – Jan says this time I need a TBR (Total Brain Replacement.)

It might be easier for you just to forward this email to your journalist. It might stimulate some questions in him or her.

I am soon going to write Dr. Oeding my three-month report and I need to thank Isabel. But you guys will all see us again before very long.

My thanks to all of you.

Troy Wilson

Hi Bill,

At the recommendation of my doctor, Dr. Oeding, I contacted the International Dept. at Hospital Clinica Biblica to help facilitate my recent hip replacement surgery. I wish to thank Bill, Irene, and Starlene at the International Dept. for arranging everything pre and post op and helping me through the whole process at the hospital. I live in Costa Rica and didn’t have to deal with the airport, etc., as people from outside the country do, which would have made their services even more helpful. I would definitely recommend contacting them if you’re considering medical treatment in Costa Rica.

Dr. Oeding is an outstanding orthopaedic doctor, in my opinion. He specializes in hips, knees, and shoulders. He speaks English well and was very friendly, patient, and has a wealth of experience when it comes to hip replacements.. I was concerned about having the least invasive procedure possible, but also wanted a replacement that would allow me to continue be physically active, because I’m only 63 and not the sedintary type person. Dr. Oeding recommended the Taperlock Replacement System which is an upgrade from the standard system used. I think the surgery lasted about 2.5 hrs. and I have about a 4.5in. scar on my hip. It’s been 3 weeks since my surgery and I’m thrilled with my progress. I was up walking with the physical therapist the day after surgery. I returned home the 2nd day after surgery (we’re only a couple of hours from the hospital.) I used a cane for the first week home and haven’t used it since then. I do my exercises and am progressing more and more every day. I’m driving now and able to walk about 2 miles without any problem. It’s such a wonderful relief to not have the pain and limited movement that I had before the surgery.

The Clinica Biblica Hospital is very nice and the nurses, physical therapists, and rest of the staff are great. The food wasn’t very consistent and ran from pretty good to not very good.

We stayed at the Palm House Inn the night before my surgery. It is small, neat, clean, and has a helpful staff, but I wouldn’t want to stay there for more than a day or so. If you’re going to be staying for a number of days after surgery before flying out, I would definitely suggest staying at one of the nicer (more expensive) hotels with more amenities that the International Dept. recommends.

Thank you again for all your help. Best regards, Terry Fickett,

Hip Replacement

Hi Bill and Starlene,

Just wanted to thank yourselves, Dr Valverde and all the staff I met at ClinicaBiblicaHospital. You all made the experience very comfortable and I will recommend Clinica Biblica to anyone who needs similar surgery. The follow up care in the hotel by physiotherapist Hans and nurse Manuel was equally professional. Thank you,

Andrew Drescher,  Melbourne, Florida Hip Replacement

To my new friends at Clinica Biblica Hospital:

Being treated and listened to as a real person by real doctors on a direct one-to-one basis with my best interest, health and needs being placed first was more than refreshing.

I am looking forward to a full recovery from surgery for a serious clavicle injury, and the normal use of my arm.My life has been renewed. I got the serious and immediate attention no U.S. doctor I found would give me. I did my research and emailed my x-rays to Dr. Oscar Oeding, who promptly telephoned me directly. I found his assessment and recommended procedure in agreement with mine – going beyond what any U.S. doctor was willing to discuss.Imagine making a serious decision for surgery with one phone call!

No surgery is easy, but having full confidence in Dr. Oeding is making every step of my recovery endurable.Unlike my experience in the USA, I not just felt, but knew that the patient came before the money. There was not a moment that my every need was not attended to, my every question or concern not addressed – and always with a smile.

My business puts me in contact with many people who think the USA has the best doctors.The expertise and professionalism I experienced from everyone from the coffee stand to the operating room at Clinica Biblica Hospital dispelled any anxiety I may have had about obtaining help outside the USA, especially when the advice I received from US doctors was “live with it” and I knew I could not.

The staff in the International Department was there for me every step of the way, including not just recommending but making arrangements for affordable, restful housing and prompt transportation, and willingly attending to my personal needs. As for the price? Well, for a person who is “self-insured” – I found I could afford it.In the long run I have paid less and had less hassle and paperwork than with any insurance company.

Perhaps I am out of the ordinary. But after being offered “free” surgery by a U.S. Orthopedic surgeon on the assumption that I agreed with his assessment (which I did not) and that without insurance I could not pay, I turned it down without even asking the price. Confidence and trust is something money cannot buy. I found it at Clinica Biblica Hospital.

Teddy Lancaster, Kitts Hill, OH  Clavicle Fracture 

Hello Bill,

Our experience with the Clinca Biblica Hospital, it’s medical staff and the professionals of the international department was truly extraordinary, from the first contact, through the difficult knee replacement surgery, to the last day there.

Always responsive, in a most helpful and caring way, these fine people maintain an excellent facility and first rate medical care system

Our surgeon was available, communicative and supportive at all times. His excellent work was noted by my orthopedic surgeon, after I returned home.

My wife and I are especially grateful to Bill, Rogellio and Starlene of the international department for guiding us through this process, proactively addressing our needs and often exceeding our expectations.

Charles Rychner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Total Knee Replacement

Dear International Office – Medical Tours Costa Rica,

Bill, Roger and Starlene, of your international department, were not only professionals, but they were compassionate to me and my father’s needs. You couldn’t have done a better job. Much appreciated.

Regarding the hospital room, the nurses were extremely professional and thorough.They helped me every time I needed it. The doctor’s were very professional, very thorough in explaining procedure and very informative.In the last seven years I have had eight doctors and your treatment to me has been better than all eight doctors combined. Thanks for your great care.

Regarding the hotel room, first two days a little noisy, room 105. Then moved to room 502 which was perfect. Excellent maid service. Very clean conditions. Very satisfied.

Overall, excellent experience, especially Costa Rica´s health care system.

Thank you very much!

Dale and Vince Dugdale,  Iowa, USA Total Knee Replacement

Dear Bill,

I am wanting to thank you and Roger and your staff personally, Dr. Oeding, the hospital staff, The Casa Conde Hotel, and my travel guides for my recent stay in Costa Rica for a total knee replacement.

There is so much to be thankful for in finding you.I do not know hardly where to begin.

First, my initial contact with you was by e-mail on a Friday evening. You called me back on Monday and from there we e-mailed and talked daily, sometimes 2 & 3 times. You reassured me during a very stressful time and only after I was sure in my mind that I could receive quality care, did I make the heartfelt decision to go to Costa Rica .I still had plenty of doubts regarding safety, transportation, lodging, and communication, all of which quickly disappeared as soon as I arrived. Had I not been there for such serious surgery, I would have thought I was in a vacation resort spa.

The fact that I had to do absolutely nothing except show up is what is really incredible. You made all of the arrangements for me as soon as I arrived until I left. My doctor and surgery visits, including nursing and rehab care after I left the hospital, my meals, hotel needs, and tours- not one thing was overlooked by you or your staff. Never would I have imagined that all this could have been possible at 80% less than I was about to pay here. Not one price was changed after the fact. What you told me in the beginning is what I paid. I am sincerely grateful to you for the honesty.

I am especially grateful to Dr. Oeding for the excellent quality of his work. Because of his work, my rehab has gone exceptionally well and I am much further along in my progress than I would have ever imaged. Having gone through a total knee replacement on my other leg in 2001, this rehab cannot even compare to the previous one. The less invasive technique which Dr. Oeding used is half the incision length of my other leg. Of course that means less pain, less healing, faster rehab, etc. The comparison of surgeons is that there is none. Of the less invasive technique, my surgeon here said, “I see no benefit, either to the patient or the doctor in doing the surgery any different than what was done the last time”. How arrogant!!

Only after my last consultation, as I was getting ready to go home, did I find out that the agreed upon date of surgery, Friday, July 27th, was not a surgery day for Dr. Oeding. He scheduled me in order to fit into my schedule. How awesome! That would have never happened here. Not once did I have difficulty in communicating, either with the hospital staff or the staff at the Casa Conde. If someone answered in Spanish, they quickly replied in English or got someone who could speak English. How refreshing! The nurses genuinely cared for my well being and made sure that the pain and antibiotic medication was administered as prescribed. Not once did I have to ask for additional pain medication.

Lastly, the icing on the cake were the tours and visits around Costa Rica. The San Jose tour the day I arrived, the dinner and folklore dancers at the scenic restaurant Tiquicia, the coffee and banana plantation tour the day I got out of the hospital, the volcano and tour of Lancaster Gardens of the University of Costa Rica and the typical traditional meals with Dany, my tour guide. Who wouldn’t want to come back? I look forward to seeing you all later in the year.

Thank you again and God bless you all!

Your New Best Friend,

Kathie Foy, August 2007 German town, Tennessee Total Knee Replacement

More Testimonials:

Read the Clay Clodfelter knee surgery testimonial!

If you want to know more about orthopedic surgeon Oscar Oeding Bermudez, feel free to call 1-866-665-6433 and speak directly to an orthopedic consultant.