Your Arrival in Bangkok: What to Expect

Dr. Rushapol Sdawat, M.D.

Your Arrival in Bangkok: What to Expect

From the moment you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport to the day you fly home, here is what happens at each step of your surgical journey at Intrarat Hospital, and who is looking after you.

Choosing to have surgery in another country is a big decision, and much of the worry comes from not knowing what happens when you get there. Who meets me at the airport? Where do I stay? When do I meet my surgeon? Who checks on me after the operation?

This guide answers those questions, so that you know before you board your flight what each day in Bangkok will look like.

Before you fly

Once your procedure and dates are agreed, Dr. Rushapol’s patient care team confirms your programme in writing and asks for your flight details so your airport pick-up can be arranged.

• Book your flight to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) the day before your surgery, and send your flight number and arrival time to your coordinator as soon as you book.
• Bring a list of your current medications, allergies and previous operations, and any recent medical reports or test results.
• Follow the pre-operative instructions you are given. They are specific to you and your procedure.
• Check your passport, visa requirements and travel insurance before you travel. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so check the current requirements for your passport.

Your journey, step by step

1. Day 1: arrival at SuvarnabhumiYour airport transfer is included. A driver meets you at Suvarnabhumi Airport after you clear customs, so you never need to find your own way across Bangkok after a long flight.
2. Day 1: consultation and pre-operative testsOn the day you arrive you meet Dr. Rushapol in person for your consultation and assessment, and have your pre-operative blood tests and checks at the hospital. These are included in your package.

   

   Intrarat Hospital: the main entrance

3. Day 2: surgery dayDr. Rushapol performs your operation himself and is never substituted. Your anaesthetist is Dr. Kanatawan Wasoontrarak, M.D., who holds a Certificate of Anesthesiology from the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, and covers Dr. Rushapol’s operating list.

   

   Intrarat Hospital, Bangkok: a full hospital, ISO 9001:2015 certified

4. Night of surgery: your first night in ICUYou spend your first night after surgery in the hospital’s intensive care unit, under Dr. Rushapol’s close observation. This is one of the clearest differences between a full hospital and a clinic.
5. The following days: on the wardFrom ICU you move to the ward, where a nursing team is on hand 24 hours a day. Dr. Rushapol visits you on the ward during your hospital stay.

   

   A patient room at Intrarat Hospital

6. Recovery at the Sens HotelOnce you leave hospital you continue your recovery at the Sens Hotel. Your follow-up appointments, medication and stitch removal are part of your package.

   

   The Sens Hotel and its pool

   

   A bedroom

   

   A private balcony

7. Flying home, and afterDr. Rushapol tells you when it is safe for you to fly. Your care does not end at the airport: your package includes 30 days of Homecoming Care after you return home.

What your package includes

Surgeon and anaesthetistDr. Rushapol operates himself, with his regular anaesthetist.

Hospital and ICUOperating theatre, hospital stay and your first night in intensive care.

Pre-operative testsBlood tests and checks before your surgery.

AccommodationYour hospital nights, then recovery accommodation at the Sens Hotel.

MealsThree meals a day for you throughout your stay.

MedicationThe medication prescribed for your recovery.

Airport transfersPick-up on arrival and drop-off for your flight home.

AftercarePost-operative care, follow-up, stitch removal and 30-day Homecoming Care.

Exactly what your package covers, including the number of hospital and hotel nights, is set out in your written quotation.

Travelling with a partner or friend

• Your companion can stay in your hospital room during your hospital nights at no charge.
• If they would prefer their own room, a separate room is available from US$40 per night.
• Your companion’s meals are US$12 per day. Your own meals are included in your package.
• Luggage can be stored securely at both the hospital and the hotel, free of charge.

What to pack

• Loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off, including tops that open at the front.
• Slip-on shoes.
• Your passport, travel insurance details and a printed copy of your programme.
• Your regular medications in their original packaging, with your list of medications and allergies.
• A phone charger and an adapter for Thai power sockets.
• Something to read or watch during your recovery.

Common questions

Who is responsible for me at night after surgery?

Your first night is in the hospital’s intensive care unit under Dr. Rushapol’s close observation. After that you move to the ward, where a nursing team is available 24 hours a day.

Will Dr. Rushapol perform my surgery himself?

Yes. Dr. Rushapol performs every operation himself and is never substituted.

Who will be my anaesthetist?

Dr. Kanatawan Wasoontrarak, M.D. She holds a Certificate of Anesthesiology from the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, and consistently covers Dr. Rushapol’s operating list.

Is Intrarat a hospital or a clinic?

Intrarat is a full hospital with operating theatres, an intensive care unit and an anaesthesia department. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy included?

No, hyperbaric oxygen is not part of any package. Transport to the centre is free, and sessions cost around US$80–90 each, paid directly to the centre. The centre works on a walk-in basis unless a session is booked in advance, so if you would like set times, tell us before you travel.

Can my partner stay with me?

Yes. Your partner can stay in your hospital room during your hospital nights at no charge. A separate room is available from US$40 per night, and your partner’s meals are US$12 per day.

When should I arrive?

Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) the day before your surgery. Your consultation and pre-operative tests take place on the day you arrive, so send your flight details early and let your coordinator know your arrival time.

When can I fly home?

That depends on your procedure and how your recovery goes. Dr. Rushapol tells you when it is safe for you to fly.

All surgery carries risks. Individual results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. A consultation and assessment with your surgeon is required before any procedure.

Questions about your arrival? Our coordinator is a message away.

WhatsApp +66 82 262 5556surgery@medsanctuary.com