dental cleaning.. contact lenses... etc. better done in Colombia or the US?

miamimike says on Sep 15, 2008, 22:48:

Cost---Colombia

Quality-Colombia
For both Contacts and Dental

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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richardshari says on Sep 16, 2008, 03:41:

Colombia! Just like Miamimike said, for quality and cost.....Colombia.

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calibelleza says on Sep 16, 2008, 03:59:

COLOMBIA

www.calibelleza.com

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lampltr says on Sep 16, 2008, 04:18:

I'll second MM unless you have US insurance that covers everything with very little co-pay. Be sure to network with others here or family for who is the best to see in Colombia.

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Atrevido says on Sep 16, 2008, 04:59:

Contact lenses are nuch cheaper purchased online than in Colombia.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 16, 2008, 05:06:

In my experience, contact lens prices and contact lens care products are much higher in Colombia. If you're thinking about stocking up on lenses in the US, make sure you have a valid prescription (laws vary state by state as to how old the prescription is allowed to be).

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Gator says on Sep 16, 2008, 06:40:

You can get a good deal in Colombia (but not on the contacts)-the problem arises when you return to the US and develop a problem and need a followup.

We have never had any real problems with health car here but than we live here so followups for complications are not any trouble.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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paisa29 says on Sep 16, 2008, 06:50:

teeth cleaning would cost about USD30.00 here in Colombia, in my opinion
the quality is good.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 16, 2008, 07:51:

I had a filling, a cleaning, minor periodontal surgery and a root canal done in Neiva last year for about $175 and they did great work. The same would have cost at least ten times more in the US.

However, when it comes to contacts, I have had a hard time in Colombia. I have a very high correction and the lenses are rarely available at most opticals. They take a week to order and are very expensive.

You would save some money on prescription glasses. There are a lot of good opticals on Cra 19 in Bogota. There is one called Optical Alamena that my parents use a lot with very good results.

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:28:

One word: lasik.

Diana

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:33:

Lasik scares me. I have a very high correction for near-sightedness. This means that I would be at much greater risk for the very serious potential complications that are often downplayed by doctors in the US and Colombia. I wear disposable lenses, so whenever I have a problem, I can simply just toss out the old ones and have a fresh pair. If someone screws up my eyes, I'm stuck with them for life.

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:37:

I had really bad astigmatism and had my surgery back in 1996. The doctor said that back then the surgery was not designed for astigmatism but that he would make it work. I've been 20/20 in one eye and 20/10 in the other ever since. No pain, nothing.

Diana

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:39:

Astigmatism is a wholly different issue. Correction for myopia(near sightedness) involves changing the way the lens refracts light. A high correction significantly increases the potential for serious and bothersome problems with refractive surgery. I suppose I may do it some day, but I am in no hurry.

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:42:

In other words, you're just scared. I understand. =D

Diana

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:44:

Muy chistosa. :-p

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Mononoke28 says on Sep 16, 2008, 09:44:

I kid because I love.

Diana

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davidslc46 says on Sep 16, 2008, 16:01:

Astigmatism can be treated today using the latest technology but the more deformed the eye the more chances of failure. They have to have enough tissue to work with but a good clinic should be honest and exclude you if the risk of failure is to great.

It should be a very extensive workup before a decision is reached with major deformities and the clinic should incur the cost. That correction in the USA of astigmatism was $4000 for both eyes in USA and only 1 eye had the astigmatism.


David

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 16, 2008, 21:43:

I spent, literally, and entire day searching for anti-protein solution for my contacts in Villavicencio. I finally found one bottle in the little eyewear tienda in the Exito there. One bottle was the total inventory. Cost, 30.000 pesos if I remember correctly. At the time, that was $12 usd. I pay $5.99 for a 2 pack of the same stuff at my local Wal-Mart. Anyway, assuming that is indicative of the price of contacts and availability of contact stuff - contacts are extremely expensive and hard to get.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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christobeldawg says on Sep 16, 2008, 22:02:

Anything dental to do with cosmetics is better in Colombia. The people there, the ones that pay for that, and it is comparitively inexpensive, have beautiful teeth.
In fact, I would imagine anything to do with cosmetic type surgery of any kind is better there, because it is such a cottage industry, and not nearly as expensive as in the states.
I did notice RJ, that the contact solutions were rediculously expensive.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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