My Colonoscopy Experience in Seoul
Hey friends!
Usually I blog on spiritual matters, but I thought I'd take a moment to share about my colonoscopy experience here in Seoul. Not quite sure how many of you would actually be interested in an awkward topic as this-but truth is, this is something you will PROBABLY be doing at some point in your life. And even if this doesn't suit your fancy right now, I'm sure there are many googling colonoscopies in Seoul, who could benefit from a first hand review. I can speak for myself as an expat that I wish there were more available to read online regarding one of the most, if not the most invasive cancer screening procedures. Needless to say, there's some TMI stuff here. You've been slightly warned.
Anyways, before I begin, I need to admit that for the past half decade, a weak colon has always been a shadow hanging over my head, especially with my struggles with Irritiable Bowel Syndrome. The biggest monkey on my back, really. Having my dad pass away from colon cancer, and the increased chances for me getting as a 1st degree relative, doesn't help the situation either. I tell you the truth, when your father passes away from a certain type of cancer, it's hard to shake off the gnawing possibility that the same could happen to you, and that a premature death isn't so out of the loop. It really hits home in a unique way when it happens to one of your 'rents. I'm not sure if people would naturally understand unless they went through the same thing. This dread that my colon could go wrong and that I'd have to do this checkup was always the metaphoric grim reaper stalking me throughout the years. Anyways, I digress. Sorry if I sound so morbid! But more earnestly, having had some issues lately I decided to finally take the bold move and go for a colonoscopy check up. I just didn't want to delay any longer, all the more since I find myself on the other side of 30.
The first thing that struck me about colonoscopies in Korea is how CHEAP they are compared to the States. I looked into Joyful Hospital (기쁨병원) in Gangnam, after reading on some expat forums how good their service was. The name of the hospital raised my eyebrows a bit-seemed a bit scammy to be honest with you. But as I read a few testimonials from some expats I decided to call them up and ask a few questions and schedule a preliminary consultation. I honestly expected to shell out around 1 million won for the check-up as in the states, colonoscopies are easily over a grand. But when I found out the price my jaw dropped. 165,000. Heck with that price I could get a lifetime's worth of colonoscopies in comparison to what they'll charge you in the States!
Anyways, although relieved at the price I still went in intimidated and nervous. I don't care how you look at it-the prospect of being probed on the wrong side of the moon brings you no peace whatsoever, unless you're drugged up. Which I later was. But I'll get to that later. My procedure was set for Monday morning but they had me stop by the prior Friday to pick up the colon prep medicine and go over some procedurals, such as instructing me to avoid eating seed bearing fruit and other types of food that would make colon prep difficult. After deciphering the marker-highlighted Korean terms all over the sheet of paper they gave me, I began to wonder if there was anything that I could actually eat. But that aside, more than anything I was dreading the laxatives and the dreaded multiple trips to the bathroom. You see, I've grown up struggling with IBS (although it's been much, much improved the last few years)- and there's a stained stigma that diarrhea will always be painful no matter what the scenario.
Anyways, I managed to get through the weekend selective eating, and by 6am monday morning I woke up with a determination to just get through half the day, that is until my anal probing was over. I mixed the ingredients of the colon prep and I suspiciously took a swig. To my surprise it was actually quite delicious. It wasn't picolate or that other medicine people in the forums have been exhorting people to take- it was some other formula Joyful Hospital's been using, but whatever it was, I kid you not--it tasted like lemon soda. Think lemon gatorade that fizzles. It really tasted good. I could actually see myself drinking it to quench my thirst- sans the laxative functions of it. The taste of laxatives from what I hear in horror reports back from the States is terrible. I'm glad I didn't get to experience any of that and undergo a hassle free colon prep. After I took the prep and after almost an hour of waiting, the meds kicked in and I started my colon detox. But with this too, to my surprise when I actually went through with it, it wasn't painful at all! It was the most interesting sensation to unload out of your butt (think peeing out of the butt) without the typical cramps and aches that accompany diarrhea. Anyways, forgive the TMI. But it was a completely pleasant surprise. Joyful Hospital. They surely know what they're doing. Although I felt a bit dehydrated, again, nothing like food poisoning where you experience significant enervation. Although the whole process took a little over 3 hours and almost 20 trips to the bathroom to unload, I surprisingly still felt relatively energetic with all said and done.
I made the long over an hour's worth of travel to Gangnam quite comfortably (no crazy urges to use the bathroom) and I arrived at the hospital. When I entered the 3rd floor where they did colonoscopies, the place was buzzing like a factory of yellow robed people being ushered back and forth, into and out of operations. It was a little disconcerting to see so many people. I felt like I was back at the DMV in the States. But as I let them know I arrived and took my seat I was soon called and put into motion in preparation to get the colonoscopy. One of things I had to do was go into a men's lockerroom and change from my waist down to these pajama pants with a loose butt flap (kinda like the PJs of the old days in the States). Luckily they give you in addition to those pants a robe that stretches down to your knees so you can cover your bottom.
After changing and taking seat for a bit longer, I was called and they hooked me up to a needle in my right arm, and when it was my turn I was called into the operation area. They instructed me to lay on my side, shot a bottle of anesthetics (looked like milk) into my right arm, and as I felt the chill of the anesthetic creeping up my arm I immediately felt drowsy/woozy, and as I closed my eyes I got knocked out. In what seemed like a moment, I woke up again as the doctor pulled the tube from my butt. Thinking back in hindsight that seems a little gross. But at the moment you're so relaxed and drowsy you could care less. An interesting state of being to be in.
They helped me up and I walked over to a recovery booth in the dark, where I sat on a recliner with a blanket. Felt SUPER comfortable, relaxed and relieved the whole thing was over. When I was able, (the nurses were super patient btw), I made my way over to the reception area again to wait for the doctor's debrief. When I got called in, he had a grin on his face and let me know that my colon was completely clean. He even had pictures to show me--I didn't realize technology was so modern and that they were able to take good high res pics of my colon...it was fascinating to see my innards in such vivid color. And just as he said, the proof was right there in the pictures-no polyps no nothing. Just some screenshots of what looked like corridors from the movie "Aliens". I felt a big sigh of relief and felt a burden lifted off my shoulders.
I was given a little binder with pictures of my colon for my own souvenir- and I was also presented a coupon for complimentary korean juk down at the hospital kitchen, which I scarfed down. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even charge me the full price of 165,000- but they only charged me 145,000. I'm not quite sure what the meaning of the discount was-maybe it's because they didn't find anything in my system. They will hike up the price with each polyp they do find however (75,000 for the first one, 15,000 for each succeeding - I believe, I could be wrong)
All in all, with my treatment and what I paid for it, you couldn't blame me for being thoroughly impressed and pleased at the service of Joyful Hospital. I fully recommend the facility. Compared to reports I've been reading online, their treatment of patients is light years ahead of places back in the states and is a far cry from any experience I've read about quite frankly--which is one reason I'm taking the time to blog about this. And for that cheap of a price- really unbeatable. No excuses not to get a checkup at the most preventable cancer, and yet the 3rd most leading killer of all cancers.
I left the hospital in high spirits feeling like a new man. I'm encouraged and comforted that I have no fear towards these procedures anymore- especially if it's done anything like Joyful Hospital has done it. And I look forward to going back in a decade for what is still a good report. ^^
In closing, I encourage all of you, especially those older to go in a get a check up. At this price, you really have no excuse, and it might just save your life. ^^
Thank You Lord!
Usually I blog on spiritual matters, but I thought I'd take a moment to share about my colonoscopy experience here in Seoul. Not quite sure how many of you would actually be interested in an awkward topic as this-but truth is, this is something you will PROBABLY be doing at some point in your life. And even if this doesn't suit your fancy right now, I'm sure there are many googling colonoscopies in Seoul, who could benefit from a first hand review. I can speak for myself as an expat that I wish there were more available to read online regarding one of the most, if not the most invasive cancer screening procedures. Needless to say, there's some TMI stuff here. You've been slightly warned.
Anyways, before I begin, I need to admit that for the past half decade, a weak colon has always been a shadow hanging over my head, especially with my struggles with Irritiable Bowel Syndrome. The biggest monkey on my back, really. Having my dad pass away from colon cancer, and the increased chances for me getting as a 1st degree relative, doesn't help the situation either. I tell you the truth, when your father passes away from a certain type of cancer, it's hard to shake off the gnawing possibility that the same could happen to you, and that a premature death isn't so out of the loop. It really hits home in a unique way when it happens to one of your 'rents. I'm not sure if people would naturally understand unless they went through the same thing. This dread that my colon could go wrong and that I'd have to do this checkup was always the metaphoric grim reaper stalking me throughout the years. Anyways, I digress. Sorry if I sound so morbid! But more earnestly, having had some issues lately I decided to finally take the bold move and go for a colonoscopy check up. I just didn't want to delay any longer, all the more since I find myself on the other side of 30.
The first thing that struck me about colonoscopies in Korea is how CHEAP they are compared to the States. I looked into Joyful Hospital (기쁨병원) in Gangnam, after reading on some expat forums how good their service was. The name of the hospital raised my eyebrows a bit-seemed a bit scammy to be honest with you. But as I read a few testimonials from some expats I decided to call them up and ask a few questions and schedule a preliminary consultation. I honestly expected to shell out around 1 million won for the check-up as in the states, colonoscopies are easily over a grand. But when I found out the price my jaw dropped. 165,000. Heck with that price I could get a lifetime's worth of colonoscopies in comparison to what they'll charge you in the States!
Anyways, although relieved at the price I still went in intimidated and nervous. I don't care how you look at it-the prospect of being probed on the wrong side of the moon brings you no peace whatsoever, unless you're drugged up. Which I later was. But I'll get to that later. My procedure was set for Monday morning but they had me stop by the prior Friday to pick up the colon prep medicine and go over some procedurals, such as instructing me to avoid eating seed bearing fruit and other types of food that would make colon prep difficult. After deciphering the marker-highlighted Korean terms all over the sheet of paper they gave me, I began to wonder if there was anything that I could actually eat. But that aside, more than anything I was dreading the laxatives and the dreaded multiple trips to the bathroom. You see, I've grown up struggling with IBS (although it's been much, much improved the last few years)- and there's a stained stigma that diarrhea will always be painful no matter what the scenario.
Anyways, I managed to get through the weekend selective eating, and by 6am monday morning I woke up with a determination to just get through half the day, that is until my anal probing was over. I mixed the ingredients of the colon prep and I suspiciously took a swig. To my surprise it was actually quite delicious. It wasn't picolate or that other medicine people in the forums have been exhorting people to take- it was some other formula Joyful Hospital's been using, but whatever it was, I kid you not--it tasted like lemon soda. Think lemon gatorade that fizzles. It really tasted good. I could actually see myself drinking it to quench my thirst- sans the laxative functions of it. The taste of laxatives from what I hear in horror reports back from the States is terrible. I'm glad I didn't get to experience any of that and undergo a hassle free colon prep. After I took the prep and after almost an hour of waiting, the meds kicked in and I started my colon detox. But with this too, to my surprise when I actually went through with it, it wasn't painful at all! It was the most interesting sensation to unload out of your butt (think peeing out of the butt) without the typical cramps and aches that accompany diarrhea. Anyways, forgive the TMI. But it was a completely pleasant surprise. Joyful Hospital. They surely know what they're doing. Although I felt a bit dehydrated, again, nothing like food poisoning where you experience significant enervation. Although the whole process took a little over 3 hours and almost 20 trips to the bathroom to unload, I surprisingly still felt relatively energetic with all said and done.
I made the long over an hour's worth of travel to Gangnam quite comfortably (no crazy urges to use the bathroom) and I arrived at the hospital. When I entered the 3rd floor where they did colonoscopies, the place was buzzing like a factory of yellow robed people being ushered back and forth, into and out of operations. It was a little disconcerting to see so many people. I felt like I was back at the DMV in the States. But as I let them know I arrived and took my seat I was soon called and put into motion in preparation to get the colonoscopy. One of things I had to do was go into a men's lockerroom and change from my waist down to these pajama pants with a loose butt flap (kinda like the PJs of the old days in the States). Luckily they give you in addition to those pants a robe that stretches down to your knees so you can cover your bottom.
After changing and taking seat for a bit longer, I was called and they hooked me up to a needle in my right arm, and when it was my turn I was called into the operation area. They instructed me to lay on my side, shot a bottle of anesthetics (looked like milk) into my right arm, and as I felt the chill of the anesthetic creeping up my arm I immediately felt drowsy/woozy, and as I closed my eyes I got knocked out. In what seemed like a moment, I woke up again as the doctor pulled the tube from my butt. Thinking back in hindsight that seems a little gross. But at the moment you're so relaxed and drowsy you could care less. An interesting state of being to be in.
They helped me up and I walked over to a recovery booth in the dark, where I sat on a recliner with a blanket. Felt SUPER comfortable, relaxed and relieved the whole thing was over. When I was able, (the nurses were super patient btw), I made my way over to the reception area again to wait for the doctor's debrief. When I got called in, he had a grin on his face and let me know that my colon was completely clean. He even had pictures to show me--I didn't realize technology was so modern and that they were able to take good high res pics of my colon...it was fascinating to see my innards in such vivid color. And just as he said, the proof was right there in the pictures-no polyps no nothing. Just some screenshots of what looked like corridors from the movie "Aliens". I felt a big sigh of relief and felt a burden lifted off my shoulders.
I was given a little binder with pictures of my colon for my own souvenir- and I was also presented a coupon for complimentary korean juk down at the hospital kitchen, which I scarfed down. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even charge me the full price of 165,000- but they only charged me 145,000. I'm not quite sure what the meaning of the discount was-maybe it's because they didn't find anything in my system. They will hike up the price with each polyp they do find however (75,000 for the first one, 15,000 for each succeeding - I believe, I could be wrong)
All in all, with my treatment and what I paid for it, you couldn't blame me for being thoroughly impressed and pleased at the service of Joyful Hospital. I fully recommend the facility. Compared to reports I've been reading online, their treatment of patients is light years ahead of places back in the states and is a far cry from any experience I've read about quite frankly--which is one reason I'm taking the time to blog about this. And for that cheap of a price- really unbeatable. No excuses not to get a checkup at the most preventable cancer, and yet the 3rd most leading killer of all cancers.
I left the hospital in high spirits feeling like a new man. I'm encouraged and comforted that I have no fear towards these procedures anymore- especially if it's done anything like Joyful Hospital has done it. And I look forward to going back in a decade for what is still a good report. ^^
In closing, I encourage all of you, especially those older to go in a get a check up. At this price, you really have no excuse, and it might just save your life. ^^
Thank You Lord!
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