Vacation, Adventure And Surgery?

Elective Surgeries By World-Class Doctors At Third-World Prices

(CBS)  Kim Atwater from Bend, Ore., was on vacation in Thailand when she decided to combine sightseeing with a bit of an eyelift.

Was she nervous about having an operation done in Thailand?

"Yes, yes, I was somewhat hesitant about having any type of operation in a foreign country, and it turned out to be, I mean, it was beyond my expectations," says Atwater.

And it was not beyond her budget: $1,500, and that included a private room.

How would she describe the difference between this place and an American hospital? "It's much nicer than any that I’ve ever stayed in the United States," says Atwater.

The rooms look more like hotel rooms than hospital rooms, and that’s no accident. The idea was to make the whole hospital look like a hotel and a five-star hotel at that. There are boutiques and restaurants to suit every taste and nationality

"Part of the concept was to create an environment when people came in they didn’t feel like they’re in a hospital," says Schroeder. "Because nobody really wants to go to a hospital."

Bonnewell says he's going back this fall for another checkup. He'll have to take a 22-hour flight, but there’s even an upside to that.

"We do have a very unique relationship with Thai Airways," says Schroeder. "So you can buy a ticket. You can use frequent flier mileage to get your checkup."

Whatever it takes to get your business.

"And this is not the only hospital trying to outsource healthcare, is it?" asks Simon.

"My goodness, no. I, we certainly have not gone unnoticed," says Schroeder. "There are hospitals throughout Asia. There are hospitals throughout Asia, throughout India."