Ronnie ain't making it up, his room was better than some hotels around here

Phatmax, I hope this has helped you to make a more considered decision, whatever you do, best advice is to get second opinion and choose the hospital and doctor wisely, BKK hospitals are renowned for wanting dosh, so anything goes, for info Kohn kaen is also a very good hospital, as that is where they teach doctors.

My understanding is that you'll need to find the right (best) specialist doctor who would do the operation and it may well be that he will work out of Udon hospital, but does work and visits the private hospitals such as AEK Paulo etc.

Example, I saw a specialist Doctor (a gastro-enterologist?) at AEK who wanted to do a colonoscopy on me. He explained he was normally based at Udon hospital where all his specialist equipment was located and set up, so he suggested I went to Udon hospital for the procedure. I was happy to accept as it saved me a few bob too.

AEK were quick to suggest that I first checked in with them and got changed and then they ferried me across to Udon hospital - a nice little earner for them no doubt. I declined and drove myself there, though I did have to change my clothes in the toilets.

So I would find out who the best specialist is in the are, who handles that type of operation, and then consult them wherever. As mentioned Khon Kaen may have more or a better choice then Udon.

happy to hear you gave AEK the finger of success

Thanks for your comments.

Several members suggested finding the best specialist and THEN select the hospital. QUESTION, how does one go about finding the best Dr. who treats Gall Stones (or any other specific ailment)?

phatmax

The best "general" surgeon will handle / treat gallstones.

I would go to or ring the hospital and ask if they have a specialist doctor who deals with gallstones (I don't know the what the specilaist name though it may well be a gastro-enterologist) and then ask if he normally works at that hospital.

If you ask AEK, they may well say we have Dr so and so who comes here 2 times a week. That is your clue that he isn't normally based at that hospital. In which case just ask them where he is based and his contact details.

If it is a gastro-enterologist, PM laphanphon, he knows the name of the gastro-enterologist based at Udon hospital, who he and I have both seen. I can't remember his name -( short term memory loss comes with age).

This is a Google search link on the topic of gallstones which may help:

http://www.google.co.th/search?q=doctor ... =firefox-a

Gallstones come under gerneral surgery for invasive treatment, The gastro guy will diagnose it and refer u to a general surgeon if it requires invasive procedures, ie removal, laser , etc