Coordinator wants the full balance paid before I've even had a video call with the surgeon. Is that normal?

#1Sue H(Joined Oct 2026 · 4 posts)October 6, 2026, 8:11 pm

Looking at a breast reduction in Bangkok next year. Found a hospital that looks right, accreditation checks out on the JCI site (thank you to whoever wrote that thread), and I've had a written quote.

But the coordinator is now saying that to "secure the surgeon's date" they need the whole balance, not a deposit, and the video consultation with the surgeon happens after payment. When I asked whether I could talk to the surgeon first, the reply was that the surgeon is very busy and this is how they do it for all international patients.

Am I being difficult? It's a lot of money to send to someone I haven't spoken to.

#2petem1970(Joined Aug 2025 · 16 posts)October 7, 2026, 7:58 am

Not difficult. My dental clinic took a deposit, and I had the video call before I paid even that.

#3Lorna McK(Joined May 2026 · 17 posts)October 7, 2026, 1:26 pm

I spoke to my surgeon on video twice before I paid anything beyond a small deposit, and that was a big hospital. Being busy is what they all say. The good ones still make time, because they need to see you before they agree to operate.

Ask whether the deposit is refundable if the surgeon decides after the consultation that the operation isn't right for you. The answer to that tells you a lot.

#4Margaret F(Joined Mar 2026 · 21 posts)October 8, 2026, 9:40 am

Same experience as Lorna. And when I asked awkward questions before paying, the hospital I chose answered them in writing within a couple of days. The one I walked away from sent me a discount instead of an answer.

#5Sue H(Joined Oct 2026 · 4 posts)October 8, 2026, 9:52 pm

Emailed the international patient office directly rather than the coordinator and asked for a video consultation before any payment, and whether a deposit would be refunded if the surgeon said no.

#6Sue H(Joined Oct 2026 · 4 posts)October 19, 2026, 6:03 pm

Update. International office replied that a consultation before payment was "not possible for this package". So that's that one off the list.

Second hospital offered a video call within a fortnight, a small deposit after it, refundable if the surgeon decides I'm not suitable, and a written breakdown of what's included. Talking to them next week. Thanks all, I was close to just paying.