Emergency in Malaysia

The surgery that changed how I see healthcare abroad

The last thing I expected while traveling through Southeast Asia was needing urgent surgery.

Fortunately for me, it happened while I was visiting Malaysia.

I recently posted an article explaining how I now take care of all of my routine healthcare in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. That decision was largely driven by the comprehensive health screenings I now receive annually at Prince Court Medical Centre.

But there was another, more serious reason.

Prior to my first health screening I had been experiencing some urinary issues. During my screening, the doctor recommended I see a urologist.

The very next day (yes, the next day) I had an appointment.

The urologist explained that the issue was related to my prostate and prescribed medication. But a few weeks later when I returned for a follow up, my issue had become significantly worse.

I suddenly found myself unable to urinate. I was stunned.

At that point, surgery was no longer optional. It was urgent.

The procedure took place at Prince Court, and from start to finish, the experience was remarkably smooth. The preparation was thorough, with clear explanations from the doctor, attentive and compassionate care from the nurses, and an anesthesiology team guiding me through the process.

Everything was professional, efficient, and, importantly, entirely in English.

The surgery was successful, and my recovery was comfortable. I spent five nights in the hospital in a spacious, private room with a large bathroom. The meals tasted more like restaurant dining than hospital food.

Spacious, private room and delicious food

Overall, the entire experience, from preparation to recovery, was not just positive, but surprisingly pleasant.

Recovering. The nurses took very good care of me.

I’ve never had surgery in the United States, so I don’t have a direct comparison. But based on what I’ve seen and heard from others, my experience in Kuala Lumpur was at least as good, and likely better, than many experiences back home.

I paid out of pocket for everything, with the total cost coming to around $6,000 USD. My US insurance technically covers some international care, but navigating the claim process proved so complex and time-consuming that I ultimately gave up.

Even so, the cost felt reasonable, especially compared to what similar care might cost in the US.

After being discharged, I returned for several follow-up visits. Each time, my recovery progressed as expected.

Many people I know in the US were concerned when they heard I was having surgery in Malaysia. Some even suggested I should have returned home for treatment.

But I saw it differently. I was grateful it happened in Malaysia.

The experience proved something important to me. High-quality healthcare is not limited to the United States. In many places, it meets, or exceeds, what we’re used to back home.

As I’ve said before, I now take care of all my routine healthcare in Kuala Lumpur.

And after this experience, I can say with complete confidence that I would have no hesitation undergoing any medical procedure there either.