Healthcare in Panama, powered by Med Viajar
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💊 Procedures & Costs

Same quality. Same implants.
A fraction of the price.

Panama's surgeons trained at the same US and European institutions — Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, NYU, and more. The difference is facility costs and fees, not quality of care.

71%
Average patient savings
$72,000+
Maximum savings on one procedure
5
Procedures available
JCI
Accredited hospital options
Clear
All Bariatric Surgery Cardiology Cosmetic Surgery Dentistry Fertility & IVF General Surgery Oncology Ophthalmology Orthopedics Stem Cell Therapy Urology Wellness & Screening
💊 Ophthalmology
Cataract Surgery (per eye)
🗓 3–5 days recovery ·
🇵🇦 $1,200 🇺🇸 $5,000 Save 76%
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Cost Comparison
🇵🇦 Panama$1,200 – $2,500
🇺🇸 US average$5,000
You could save approximately $3,800 — enough to cover flights, hotel, and recovery time.
About this procedure
Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Premium multifocal and toric IOLs eliminate the need for reading glasses post-surgery. Panama ophthalmologists perform phacoemulsification using the same Alcon and Abbott platforms as US eye centres.
What to Expect
Procedure takes 15–30 minutes per eye under local anaesthesia with sedation. Same-day discharge. Day 1–2: Eye patch, antibiotic drops begin. Week 1: Excellent vision restoration typical. Both eyes treated 1–3 days apart. Plan 5–7 days in Panama for bilateral cataracts.
Get a quote for Cataract Surgery (per eye) →
Glaucoma Treatment (Trabeculectomy)
🗓 7–14 days recovery · ⭐ JCI hospital recommended
🇵🇦 $2,500 🇺🇸 $8,000 Save 69%
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Cost Comparison
🇵🇦 Panama$2,500 – $4,500
🇺🇸 US average$8,000
You could save approximately $5,500 — enough to cover flights, hotel, and recovery time.
About this procedure
Trabeculectomy creates a drainage channel in the eye to lower intraocular pressure and prevent progressive optic nerve damage from glaucoma. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) options such as iStent and Hydrus microstent are also available at partner centres.
What to Expect
Surgery takes 30–60 minutes under local anaesthesia. Same-day discharge in most cases. Week 1: Daily follow-up appointments to monitor pressure and drainage. Week 2–4: Gradual return to activities. Week 6: Full activity resumable. Plan 2 weeks in Panama for post-operative monitoring.
Get a quote for Glaucoma Treatment (Trabeculectomy) →
LASIK Eye Surgery (both eyes)
🗓 1–3 days recovery ·
🇵🇦 $1,800 🇺🇸 $4,800 Save 63%
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Cost Comparison
🇵🇦 Panama$1,800 – $2,800
🇺🇸 US average$4,800
You could save approximately $3,000 — enough to cover flights, hotel, and recovery time.
About this procedure
Laser vision correction for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. Panama clinics use the same FDA-approved excimer laser platforms (WaveLight, VISX) as US providers.
What to Expect
1. Pre-op corneal mapping and eye exam. 2. Procedure day: 15-20 minutes total, painless. 3. Vision improvement often noticeable same day. 4. Rest for 24 hours. 5. Follow-up appointment day 2. 6. Safe to fly home day 3.
Get a quote for LASIK Eye Surgery (both eyes) →
PRK Laser Eye Surgery (both eyes)
🗓 5–14 days recovery ·
🇵🇦 $1,200 🇺🇸 $3,500 Save 66%
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Cost Comparison
🇵🇦 Panama$1,200 – $1,800
🇺🇸 US average$3,500
You could save approximately $2,300 — enough to cover flights, hotel, and recovery time.
About this procedure
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) corrects myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism by reshaping the corneal surface with an excimer laser. Preferred over LASIK for patients with thin corneas or those in contact sports. Longer initial recovery than LASIK but identical long-term outcomes.
What to Expect
Procedure takes 10–15 minutes total under topical anaesthesia. Same-day discharge. Days 1–3: Bandage contact lenses worn, vision blurry. Week 1: Lenses removed, vision improves. Week 2–4: Vision continues to sharpen. Month 1–3: Full vision achieved. Plan 7 days in Panama before flying.
Get a quote for PRK Laser Eye Surgery (both eyes) →
SMILE Eye Surgery (both eyes)
🗓 3–7 days recovery ·
🇵🇦 $2,500 🇺🇸 $5,500 Save 55%
View Details ▼
Cost Comparison
🇵🇦 Panama$2,500 – $3,500
🇺🇸 US average$5,500
You could save approximately $3,000 — enough to cover flights, hotel, and recovery time.
About this procedure
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the newest generation of laser vision correction. A small disc of corneal tissue is removed through a 2–4mm incision — no corneal flap, minimal dry eye risk. Suitable for moderate to high myopia. Performed using the Carl Zeiss VisuMax laser at partner clinics.
What to Expect
Procedure takes 10–15 minutes total. Same-day discharge. Day 1: Mild discomfort, vision already improving. Day 2–3: Good functional vision. Week 1: Follow-up, most patients drive. Week 2–4: Full sharpness achieved. Shorter recovery than PRK, no flap risk vs LASIK. Plan 5 days in Panama.
Get a quote for SMILE Eye Surgery (both eyes) →

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Procedure FAQs

Common Questions About Procedures & Costs

How much can I really save by having my procedure in Panama? +
Depending on the procedure, patients typically save 50–75% compared to US prices. A gastric sleeve that costs $23,000 in the US runs $6,500–$9,500 in Panama. Knee replacements run $12,000–$16,000 vs $35,000+ in the US. All-on-4 dental implants cost $7,000–$11,000 vs $20,000–$28,000. The savings are real — same US-brand implants, same laser platforms, same surgical techniques.
Are the surgeons in Panama as qualified as US surgeons? +
Many of Panama's top specialists trained at US institutions — Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, NYU Langone, HSS New York, Weill Cornell, and others. They then returned to Panama to practice. All surgeons in our network are board-certified in their specialty and regularly attend US and European medical conferences.
How long do I need to stay in Panama for my procedure? +
It depends on the procedure. LASIK requires just 3 days. Dental veneers or implants typically take 5–7 days. Bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve) usually requires 5–7 days before flying home. Joint replacements (knee/hip) require 10–14 days minimum before flying due to DVT risk. Med Viajar provides a personalised travel plan for your specific procedure.
What happens if there are complications after I return home? +
This is the most important question to ask any medical tourism facilitator. Med Viajar provides 12 months of remote follow-up coordination. Our network surgeons are available for video consultations post-procedure. We also send complete medical records to your home physician so your local doctor can manage any follow-up care. In the rare case of a procedure-related complication requiring revision, we facilitate this in Panama.
Do I need to speak Spanish? +
No. All of our partner hospitals have English-speaking doctors and international patient coordinators. Med Viajar also assigns a bilingual patient coordinator to your case who accompanies you to every appointment. Panama City is an internationally-oriented city and English is widely spoken in medical and hospitality settings.
Can I combine my procedure with a vacation in Panama? +
Absolutely — and many patients do. Panama City is a vibrant, modern city with excellent restaurants, a UNESCO-listed historic district (Casco Viejo), and easy access to beaches, rainforest, and the Panama Canal. The climate is warm year-round. Many patients extend their stay by a week after recovery to explore the country. Med Viajar can recommend hotels near your hospital that are experienced in hosting recovering medical tourists.
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