...Pronounced LAZEK in Korea. I have no fancy title for this post but, I must blog about this experience. It was one of the greatest doctor visits ever. I was told Korea had excellent and cheap healthcare. I figured people were only refering to procedures and technology. Well, NO! I was wrong. I had the best doctor, I swear, in the world. It's love people. HE SPOKE PERFECT ENGLISH!!! not Enlishie or Engrish or even Konglish. He was so nice and friendly and he explained everything step by step. So a few months ago when I first decided I wanted to have LASIK I went into the EYE MEDI clinic in Gangnam. http://www.hellolasik.com/eng_site/refractive_surgery/lasek.asp?page_id=02
Gangnam is an affluent area in Korea and it eased some of my fears about getting surgery in another country because let's be honest, even though Korea is a rapidly advancing country, particularly in the medical field, I automatically reduced it to a third world country when I considered surgery. So when I walked into the CGV movie theater and took the elevator up to the 14th floor I was surprised to find it wasn't some whole in the wall clinic. It was really nice and modern. I wish I would have taken some photos now that I think of it. It had a little snack and coffess area in the corner, a computer area with apple computers to help you pass the time, cute little magazine racks filled with the latest fashion magazine, comfy couches, and a few glass tables in the center. They gave you a locker to place your things and started the paperwork. The paperwork was only half a page unlike in America where you would have to fill out 13 forms and then 13 forms on insurance. Speaking of which I have insurance but, I've never been asked for proof here. Anyways the wait was about 10 minutes and then the doctor took me through an hour of eye exams that took about an hour to complete. The exam is extensive and they double check their tests a few times. The best part was that it is all free. They explain which surgery option is best for you and it's free whether you decide to have surgery or not. Foreigners get about a 200 dollar discount. YEAH YEAH baby!!
Ok on February 27th I nervously arrived at the clinic. When i walked in they greeted me by name and told me to run to the pharmacy to grab the neccessary meds. Um yeah a little ghetto but, this is normal in Korea. So after make my drug run, they explained everything in detail, gave me some papers reinterating it, and led me to see the doctor. he looked at my eyes for 2 minutes and said I was still set for surgery. From this point on everyhting went quick. The nurse cleaned my face put 100 drops, ok maybe like 6 drops, in my eye and led me into the surgery room. In the surgery room they told me to lay on the table and hold onto this stuffed bunny. At first I couldn't stop laughing at the idea. They told me to watch the green light. The anticipation was killing me and I was nervous. Before I even realized it I was squezzing on the bunny so hard but I was not moving, so I see why they have it. My doctor talked me through the whole thing which was literally 10 minutes maybe less. It felt like 5 minutes for both eyes. I couldn't feel a thing and the instrument that they use to keep your eyes open was undetectable too. I didn't know when they put it in or took it out. I looked at the green light, heard the machine start and walla I was finished. They made me rest in this plush recliner chair in the resting room with low music for 20 minutes and then I went home.
Plus I mist give a shot ot to great friends everywhere. GOD has truly blessed me with that one. My homie Rina went with me. She waited for me, bought me some food, and drove me home. well, to her house so that if things ghot bad I could have some help. I had the library all set up. I couldn't read but, I got alot of sleeping done in there. She made the two days go by like a blur. I thought I would be so bored since I couldn't do anything but, since she was there I talked my little heart out when I wasn't sleeping. Oh yeah, if yuo're considering eye surgery.. Buy sleeping pills to help you sleep through the first two days. If not you'll be in pain and bored out of your mind. Plus the more you sleep the quicker your eyes heal. Anyways thats that. In a month I'll do a follow up post.
