Common outpatient surgeries

Super good health medical plans
When you book an appointment for outpatient procedure at our network clinic, you can enjoy the following benefits:
 
  1. Cashless arrangement1 for your complete peace in mind
  2. A consultation within 14 days before surgery
  3. A consultation within 31 days after surgery
  4. It does not affect your No Claim Bonus
CEO medical plans
When you book an appointment for outpatient procedure at our network clinic, you can enjoy the following benefits:
 
  1. Cashless arrangement1 if you undergo any of the designated outpatient surgeries3 for your complete peace of mind
  2. Waiver of deductible2 if you undergo any of the designated outpatient surgeries3
  3. Consultations within 30 days before surgery
  4. Consultations within 60 days after surgery 
Note:
 
1 In case the service charges are in excess of the coverage, or the services are not covered by the policy, AIA will recover such charges from the policyholder.
 
1, 2 "Cashless arrangement" and “Waiver of deductible" are additional services provided under network services, but not contractual services, offered in our absolute discretion and are subject to termination at any time without prior notice. 

3 "Designated outpatient surgeries include gastroscopy, colonoscopy and cataract extraction.

For further details of the benefits, please refer to the terms and conditions in the policy.

    Gastroscopy

    Colonoscopy

    Cataract Removal

What is gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is a surgery to examine the upper digestive tract; this includes the gullet, stomach and duodenum. It is effective in the diagnosis of diseases like gastritis, gastric ulcers, esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, esophageal cancer, H. Pylori infection and duodenal uclers.
 
Typical recovery time
1 - 2 Hours
Duration of surgery
5 - 10 Mins
Average cost of outpatient surgery*
HK$ 5,514
Average cost of inpatient surgery*
HK$ 21,076

* Source: AIA's 2015 internal reference data (average total bill amount for ward level)

 

Surgery information


Gastroscopy is a surgery to examine the upper digestive tract; this includes the gullet, stomach and duodenum. Using a flexible endoscope that usually passes through the patient's mouth, the doctor can check if there is any inflammation, ulcer or tumor in the tract, remove polyps or take a sample of the lining for testing. It is effective in the diagnosis of diseases like gastritis, gastric ulcers, esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, esophageal cancer, H. Pylori infection and duodenal ulcers.


You should consult your doctor whether you need a gastroscopy if you have symptoms such as:
 
  • persistent pain in the upper abdomen
  • difficulty swallowing
  • acid reflux or heartburn
  • signs of digestive tract bleeding, e.g. tarry stool    


To allow the doctor a clear view through the endoscope, please do not eat for at least 6 hours before the surgery.
 
You also need to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand the surgery and risks involved as explained by your doctor. You must inform your doctor if you have any chronic illness, drug allergy, or are taking any regular medication.


General anaesthesia is not necessary for diagnostic gastroscopy. The doctor may spray a local anaesthestic at the back of the throat, and inject you with a sedative through the vein. Monitored anaesthetic care (MAC) may be required for fragile elderly, young kids or teens. People used to alcoholic drinks or sleeping pills or those request absolute amnesia of the surgery may need MAC as well.
 
The endoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with fibreoptics, which the doctor will gently pass through the back of your mouth into your gullet. During the surgery, the doctor might pump in air for a better view. The whole surgery takes 5-10 minutes only if no major abnormality is found.


You may need a short rest of 1-2 hours, depending on the dose of sedative. Therefore, we suggest you have an adult accompany when you leave the clinic. Also you should not drive or consume alcohol for 24 hours afterwards.
 
It is normal to feel mild discomfort in the throat and abdomen, but it usually disappears in 1-2 days.  


Gastroscopy is a generally safe surgery with low risk. Possible complications include reaction to the sedative, internal bleeding, tearing or rupturing of the lining of the digestive tract; such cases are rare.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference only. Please consult your doctor for further details.

 

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a surgery to examine the lining of the large intestine. It is effective in screening of colorectal cancer, and also in cancer prevention, as it can remove polyps before they develop into cancer. 
 
1 - 3 Hours
Typical recovery time
20 - 30 Mins
Duration of surgery
HK$ 7,193
Average cost of outpatient surgery*
HK$ 20,570
Average cost of inpatient surgery*

* Source: AIA's 2015 internal reference data (Average total bill amount for ward level)

 

Surgery information


Colonoscopy is a surgery to examine the lining of the large intestine. Using a flexible endoscope that passes through the patient's anus, the doctor can check if there is any inflammation, bleeding, ulcer, polyp or tumor in the large bowel and sometimes the distal small bowel as well. The doctor can also remove polyps or take a sample of the lining for testing. It is effective in screening of colorectal cancer, and also in cancer prevention, as it can remove polyps before they develop into cancer.    

You should consult your doctor whether you need a colonoscopy if you have family history of colon cancer, or symptoms such as:
 
  • chronic persistent pain in the lower abdomen
  • change in bowel habits; over 50 years old
  • chronic diarrhoea or constipation
  • feeling of incomplete bowel movement
  • unexplained weight loss
  • bleeding from the anus or blood in stool    


You should have no-fibre diet for 3-4 days before the surgery according to your doctor"s instruction. The doctor will instruct you to take a laxative to clear out the bowel, and may ask you to follow a clear liquid diet (e.g. clear broth, strained juices and sport drinks) before taking the laxative. Please follow the doctor"s instructions closely, because if your bowel is not completely empty, the doctor may not have a clear view of your bowel. In this case you might have to undergo the surgery again. If you experience any uncomfortable feeling that prevents you to continue with your preparation, please contact your doctor for advice.
 
You also need to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand the surgery and risks involved as explained by your doctor. You must inform your doctor if you have any chronic illness, drug allergy, or are taking any regular medication.


Firstly you will lie on your left side with your knees brought toward your chest. The doctor will give you a sedative injection, and maybe also painkiller. Then the doctor will gently insert the endoscope through the anus, and move it until it reaches the other end of the large intestine and sometimes up to the distal small bowel. Your abdomen may feel bloated and mild cramp after this process, but it usually disappears in a few hours. Nurses may adjust your posture so that the endoscope can be moved smoothly.  Monitored anaesthetic care (MAC) may be required for fragile elderly, young kids or teens. People used to alcoholic drinks or sleeping pills or those request absolute amnesia of the surgery may need MAC as well.
 
The endoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with fibreoptics. During the surgery, the doctor might pump in air for a better view. The whole surgery takes about 20-30 minutes if no major abnormality is found.    


You may need a short rest of half an hour at the clinic, depending on your dose of sedative. Therefore, we suggest you have an adult accompany when you leave the clinic. Also you should not drive or consume alcohol for 24 hours afterwards.
 
You can eat and drink normally about two hours after the surgery. Please make sure to drink plenty of liquid and eat a healthy meal to restore your energy.


Colonoscopy is a generally safe surgery with low risk. Possible complications include reaction to the sedative, internal bleeding, tearing or rupturing of the colon wall; such cases are rare.    

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference only. Please consult your doctor for further details.

 

What is cataract removal?

Cataract removal is a minimally invasive surgery to remove a cloudy lens from the eye.
 
1 Day
Typical recovery time
20 - 30 Mins
Duration of surgery
HK$ 21,490
Average cost of outpatient surgery*
HK$ 32,847
Average cost of inpatient surgery*

* Source: AIA's 2015 internal reference data (Average total bill amount for ward level)

 

Surgery information


Cataract removal is a minimally invasive surgery to remove a cloudy lens from the eye. It requires only a tiny incision on the cornea, so it is fine to resume normal activity the day after the surgery.


Please discuss with your doctor whether you need to have the surgery if you have been diagnosed with cataract, and the blurred vision has affected your work or daily activity.

You should discuss with your eye doctor if you have any other visual symptoms.    


Before the surgery, your doctor will conduct some eye tests, using a scanning device on your eye to decide which kind of artificial lens suits you best. They may also prescribe eye drops for you. Please follow your doctor's instructions.

You also need to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand the surgery and risks involved as explained by your doctor. You must inform your doctor if you have any chronic illness, drug allergy, or are taking any regular medication.


Cataract removal is usually done under a local anaesthestic; a general anaesthetic may be needed for some cases. For the former, the doctor may apply drops on your eye, or inject the anaesthetic inside or beside the eye. This means you will be conscious, but you will see and feel nothing except a light. Instruments are used to prevent the eye from blinking or moving during surgery.

The doctor will first make a tiny cut on the side of your cornea, and then remove the cloudy lens through the opening.  It is then replaced with the artificial lens.

The entire surgery takes 20-30 minutes. The new lens will last for a lifetime without the need of renewal if there is no complication. The doctor will treat one eye at a time, so if you have cataract on both eyes, you will need to schedule another surgery, usually a few weeks later to let your eye recover.


Your eye may be bandaged for a night after surgery. The doctor will give you eye drops to help healing and prevent infection, as well as a patch to wear over your eye at night for protection for about a week.  We suggest you have an adult accompany when you leave the clinic.

Usually you will then have a follow-up with your doctor within a couple of days. During recovery, please wear dark sunglasses to protect your eye from bright light. Do not rub your eye, or get soap or water in your eye for the first few days. Also you should avoid any vigorous activity for a short period according to your doctor's instructions.


Cataract removal is a generally safe surgery with low risk and a high success rate. Possible complications include infection, bleeding and retinal detachment; serious cases are extremely rare though. A common complication is the clouding of the remaining portion of the lens capsule, which can be treated with a simple laser treatment. Please consult your doctor immediately if you notice any problem with your eye.    

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference only. Please consult your doctor for further details.