To compare two surgery quotes fairly, you first make them describe the same thing: the same procedures, the same team roles, the same inclusions and the same currency. Then you compare the full trip total and the safety rows, not the headline price. The worksheet below gives you the rows to fill in and the questions that fill them.
- Normalize first, compare second. Until both quotes cover the same plan, the cheaper one isn't necessarily cheaper.
- Fill every row with one of four answers: included, extra, not applicable, or not disclosed.
- "Not disclosed" is data. Count how many each quote has.
- Compare the full trip total, including recovery, travel time and contingency, not just the surgery line.
- Verification and safety rows outrank price. A gap there isn't offset by a discount.
Medical note: This is general information, not medical advice. The worksheet helps you compare what's being offered; whether a procedure or plan is right for you is a decision to make with a licensed clinician.
STEP 00Before you start: gather the paperwork
You'll need the written quotes themselves, not a WhatsApp summary from memory. For each clinic, collect:
- The quote document, with its date and validity period.
- Any message where the coordinator added or clarified something. Screenshot it and note the date.
- The surgeon's full name, and the anesthesiologist's if given.
- The facility's name and address, plus whether it's a hospital or an outpatient clinic.
- The deposit, cancellation and refund terms.
- Payment instructions: currency, method and who receives the money.
If something was promised on a call, ask the clinic to confirm it in writing before you count it.
STEP 01Make the quotes describe the same thing
Most "this clinic is much cheaper" moments disappear at this step. Before filling in any cost rows, check that both quotes are for the same plan:
- Same procedures? List every procedure on each quote. If one includes liposuction of an extra area, or a lift the other doesn't, note it. You're comparing different surgeries until that's resolved.
- Same technique? For example, different breast reduction patterns, or lipo with and without energy-assisted devices. Ask each surgeon to name theirs.
- Same setting? A hospital operating room and an outpatient clinic can be priced very differently.
- Same currency and date? Write down the currency of every line. Convert both using the same rate on the same day.
- Same validity? If one quote expires soon, that's pressure, not value.
If the plans genuinely differ because the surgeons assessed you differently, don't force them into one. Ask each surgeon why they recommend their plan. That conversation is often more useful than the price comparison.
STEP 02The comparison worksheet
Copy this into a spreadsheet or print it. Each row describes what goes in the blank columns. Use one of four codes in each cell, plus the amount where one is given:
| Row: what to write | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| A. The plan | ||
| Procedures listedEvery procedure and area, in the clinic's own words. | ||
| Technique statedNamed approach, incision pattern or device. | ||
| Expected operating timeHours, as the clinic estimates it. | ||
| SettingHospital OR or outpatient clinic; overnight stay or same-day. | ||
| B. The team | ||
| SurgeonFull name, specialty, RETHUS checked (yes/no). | ||
| AnesthesiologistNamed? Specialist? Anesthesia type stated? | ||
| FacilityName, address, REPS checked (yes/no). | ||
| C. Surgical costs | ||
| Surgeon feeCode + amount + currency. | ||
| Anesthesia feeCode + amount; fixed or time-based. | ||
| Facility / operating roomCode + amount. | ||
| Implants or devicesBrand, type, warranty; code + amount. | ||
| Hospital stayNights included; rate for extra nights. | ||
| D. Before surgery | ||
| ConsultationsIn-person and remote; code. | ||
| Pre-op labs and examsWhich tests; done where; repeats on arrival. | ||
| Specialist clearanceRequired? Included? | ||
| E. After surgery | ||
| Compression garmentsQuantity and stages. | ||
| Foams, boards, suppliesWhich ones; code. | ||
| MedicationsList provided? Code. | ||
| Drains and removalUsed? Removal visit included? | ||
| PathologyIf tissue is removed; code. | ||
| Follow-up visitsNumber; last visit before flying. | ||
| Recovery house or nursingNights, caregiver type, night cover. | ||
| Post-op massagesSessions; who performs them. | ||
| TransportAirport, clinic, follow-ups. | ||
| F. Money terms | ||
| DepositAmount, due date, refundable or not. | ||
| If not medically clearedRefund, credit or forfeit. | ||
| Payment method and feesCard surcharge, transfer fees, cash requests. | ||
| Facilitator or coordinatorWho they work for; any fee or commission disclosed. | ||
| Revision or complication policyWhat's covered, for how long, in writing. | ||
| G. Totals | ||
| Surgery total (C + D + E)Same currency and rate for both. | ||
| Your own costsFlights, lodging outside recovery house, food, companion, time off work. | ||
| ContingencyExtra nights, extra supplies, changed flights. | ||
| Full trip total | ||
| Count of ND cellsHow many rows were never answered. | ||
STEP 03How to fill each section
A and B: the plan and the team
Fill these first, because they decide whether the rest is comparable. For the team rows, do the checks yourself: search the surgeon and, if named, the anesthesiologist in RETHUS, and the facility in REPS. Write "yes," "no" or "not found" rather than trusting a badge on a website.
C and D: surgical costs and pre-op
Copy amounts exactly as written, with currency. Where a quote gives one package price, write "INCL" on each row the clinic confirms is inside it, and leave the amount in the package line. Don't split a package price yourself by guessing.
E: after surgery
This is where most ND cells appear. Send the clinic the list of rows in section E and ask them to mark each one. Quantities matter here: "garment included" and "two garments, stage one and stage two" are different answers.
F: money terms
Read the deposit and refund terms line by line. If they're not in the quote, ask for them in writing. Pay particular attention to what happens if you aren't cleared for surgery, which is outside your control.
G: totals
Add only what you know. Use your own realistic estimates for travel and living costs, and keep a contingency line. Then count the ND cells for each quote.
STEP 04Reading the finished worksheet
Once both columns are filled, work through it in this order. Price comes last on purpose.
- Verification rows. If either surgeon or facility couldn't be verified, that quote stops here until it can be.
- Plan rows. If the plans differ, make sure you understand why and which one fits your goals and health.
- ND count. Many undisclosed rows mean the true total is unknown. That's a risk, not a saving.
- Money terms. A quote with clear, fair deposit and cancellation terms protects you if plans change.
- Full trip total. Now compare. Look at the difference in the context of everything above.
A quote that "wins" on price mainly because its section E is full of ND cells. Until those are answered, you don't know its total.
STEP 05Sending the follow-up questions
Turn every ND cell into a short, specific question and send them in one message. Clinics answer specific questions faster than "can you send more details?" A simple format works well:
- 1. Anesthesiologist name + typePLEASE CONFIRM
- 2. Garments: qty + stagesPLEASE CONFIRM
- 3. Drain removal visitINCL. OR EXTRA?
- 4. Deposit if not clearedIN WRITING
- 5. Payment currency + methodPLEASE CONFIRM
Note how each clinic responds, not just what they say. Clear, complete answers in writing are a good sign. Pressure to decide quickly, or a sudden discount without any change to the line items, is something to note in the margin.
STEP 06Common comparison mistakes
- Comparing headline numbers before checking that the plans match.
- Mixing currencies or converting at different rates.
- Counting verbal promises that were never put in writing.
- Splitting a package price by guesswork to make it look comparable.
- Ignoring your own costs: extra nights, a companion's flight, time off work.
- Treating a price match as a comparison. If clinic B "matches" clinic A, ask what changed on B's list.
STEP 07FAQ
Should I just pick the cheaper of two surgery quotes?
Not until you know both quotes cover the same plan. Once every line is filled in, compare the full trip total and the safety and verification rows, not the headline number. A lower price that leaves out anesthesia, garments or follow-ups may not be lower at all.
What if a clinic won't itemize its quote?
Ask once more, politely and specifically, listing the lines you need. If they still decline, write 'not disclosed' in those rows. A clinic that won't tell you what you're paying for is giving you information about how it handles questions.
How do I compare quotes in different currencies?
Write down the currency of every line, convert using the same rate and date for both quotes, and note how each clinic wants to be paid. Ask whether a quote in pesos is fixed, or whether a quote in dollars is converted at payment time.
Is it rude to tell a clinic I'm comparing quotes?
No. Comparing quotes is normal. Be cautious, though, of a clinic that responds by matching a price without changing anything on the itemized list, since you still need to know what that price includes.
How many quotes should I compare?
There's no fixed number. Two well-itemized quotes compared carefully usually teach you more than five vague ones. This worksheet is built for two columns, but you can add a third column the same way.
Can you fill in the worksheet for me?
You can send us your quotes through our contact page and we'll help you read them and work out which questions to ask the clinics. We don't promise prices or outcomes, and medical decisions stay between you and a licensed clinician.