I am a mid-fifties British expatriate living in Cambodia, currently arranging a bi-lateral hip replacement. I’ve had leg problems since childhood but wasn’t formally diagnosed until around five years ago with arthritis of the left hip and told to replace it.

Physiotherapy then largely cured the symptoms for a few years, then covid sidetracked me, then it returned and was unbearable. I had a whole hip xray and was now diagnosed with stage four AVN (necrosis) both sides and told to get staged replacements urgently (a year ago).

I’m previously an English teacher, not rich and no close family. I had known this was coming, deep down, since I was in my twenties, and every now and again had researched what I could do locally, i.e. pay to have it/them replaced in the region. The plan was spend a few grand in Thailand, just go to a hospital, and if I don’t like it, contact one of the facilitators like Bookimed and have it arranged in India.

When the time finally came, it was NOT the walk in the park I expected. I found out the high costs and needing both sides meant I could only afford the cheapest two destinations. I experienced the fact that most hospitals completely ignore you when contacted, facilitators write non-sensical mistake-laden emails with no useful information, surgeons will happily take money for a consultation and it doesn’t involve taking notes, asking questions, examining you and actually make a point of ignoring any medical history because they give everyone the same implant and are not equipped to handle any complex cases.

I also learned (by being active on the forums and relevant groups), of all the downsides no one ever told me about. I assume the hospital policies are to just give out the implants and see if anything goes wrong. Infection risks, dislocation risks, implant failure risk, anesthesia awareness, recommended vaccinations, things needed (and not provided) to prepare for surgery.

On top of that I found out I template an unusual size and so the hardware I need isn’t available locally.

Over the past year I have made some progress. I’ve found out the best way to find and then approach potential surgeons. How to get actual quotes on procedures. I’ve compiled everything I (and you) would need to know before surgery into a collection of articles. To begin with it was for my own use but then I realised this would benefit other people trying to arrange surgery in the region. I mean, it’s hard enough for me, speaking the local language and having been here 35 years. For someone coming from outside the region for the first time it would be near impossible on all but the most standard cases for the richest patients.

So I’ve tried to turn my journey into this free, online resource, and I’m working on creating a supportive community and book. At the moment it’s all ongoing as I’m still trying to arrange my own surgery, but hopefully I’ll be a success story and will be in a position to guide people. Until then we can support each other as a community with a shared experience. Thanks for dropping by and I look forward to creating this supportive space and meeting you.

Jay Moon.