Patient Demographics
Name: Ian Stacey
Residence: Chetwynd, B.C., Canada
Diagnosis: Severe knee degeneration requiring total knee replacement
Treatment: Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Treatment Country: Mexico
Clinic: Dr. Max Greig Orthopedic Surgeon
Facilitator: PlacidWay
“I Just Wanted to Live a Normal Life Again”
Before the pain took over, Ian Stacey lived a quiet, hardworking life in the small town of Chetwynd, British Columbia. Surrounded by the mountains and forests he loved, Ian was an avid outdoorsman—fishing, hiking, and helping neighbors with projects that involved heavy lifting and long hours on his feet. A retired mill worker in his late fifties, Ian had always prided himself on being self-sufficient. He had three grown children and a close-knit group of friends who would often drop by his home for a chat over coffee.
But gradually, his right knee began to fail him. It started as a dull ache after long walks, but soon the pain became relentless. Simple tasks like grocery shopping or getting out of bed in the morning turned into a challenge.
“I felt like I was slowly being robbed of my independence. I didn’t want to be the guy who couldn’t join his grandkids on a walk or who had to say no to fishing trips. I just wanted to live a normal life again.”
“I Felt Hopeless – Like I Was Just Waiting to Get Worse”
Ian’s doctor confirmed that he needed a total knee replacement. But in Canada’s public healthcare system, the waiting list was crushing. He was told he might have to wait 18 to 24 months just for the surgery—and even that was a best-case estimate. Private options within Canada were far too expensive, ranging up to $30,000, well beyond his means.
The painkillers prescribed barely dulled the ache. More than the physical pain, it was the helplessness that ate away at him. Day after day, he watched his quality of life drain away.
“It felt like I was being told to just hang on and suffer. I knew if I waited two more years, I’d be a shell of myself. But what choice did I have? I couldn’t afford to go private here.”
“There Had to Be Another Way”
Ian wasn’t the type to give up. Late one night, while icing his knee, he started Googling alternatives—‘affordable knee replacement surgery abroad’, ‘short wait time orthopedic surgery’. That’s when he stumbled across stories of people who had traveled to other countries for treatment. The idea of flying to another country for a major operation sounded scary—like something people only did in desperate situations.
He worried about post-op care, safety, and the language barrier. Would the doctor be trustworthy? Would the clinic be clean? Would he be safe if something went wrong?
“I kept thinking… What if I get there and it’s not what they promised? What if I’m just another number in a factory of surgeries? I had so many doubts.”
“PlacidWay Gave Me the Guidance I Was Desperately Looking For”
In his research, Ian came across PlacidWay, a medical tourism facilitator that helped people find quality treatment options abroad. Skeptical but curious, he reached out—and to his surprise, someone got back to him quickly. They didn’t just send links or brochures. Instead, they took time to understand his needs, budget, and fears.
PlacidWay introduced him to Dr. Max Greig, an orthopedic surgeon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with decades of experience and glowing reviews from international patients. They answered his questions thoroughly and explained that while they don’t arrange travel, they could help coordinate directly with the clinic and guide him through the medical side of the journey.
“After talking to PlacidWay, I felt a sense of calm for the first time in months. They weren’t pushy. They just gave me the facts and let me decide. That’s when I knew—I had to do this.”
“Getting There Wasn’t Easy – But I Knew It Was My Best Shot”
Preparing for the trip wasn’t simple. Ian used his retirement savings and a small loan from his son to cover the $14,900 USD procedure—less than half of what it would cost privately in Canada. Saying goodbye to his family was the hardest part. There were tears, but also a sense of shared hope.
He brushed up on basic Spanish and booked a modest hotel near the clinic. The night before his flight, he lay awake in bed thinking of all the “what-ifs.” Yet underneath the nerves, there was a quiet confidence.
“I was nervous as hell, but also hopeful. I wasn’t running away from the problem anymore—I was finally doing something about it.”
“When I Arrived, I Knew I’d Made the Right Call”
Puerto Vallarta welcomed Ian with sunshine, warm smiles, and something he hadn’t felt in a long time: relief. When he stepped into the clinic, it felt nothing like he had feared. It was clean, modern, and organized. The staff greeted him by name. Dr. Max Greig met with him personally, went over every detail of the procedure, and answered all of his questions with calm authority.
“From the moment I walked into that clinic, I felt like a human being again—not a number on a list. Dr. Greig looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’re in good hands.’ And I believed him.”
“Surgery Day Was a Mix of Fear and Faith”
The day of surgery came quickly. As Ian lay on the hospital bed, waiting to be wheeled in, he closed his eyes and thought of his family, the lake he loved, and all the walks he wanted to take again. The procedure went smoothly, lasting just under two hours. Dr. Greig and his team were professional, attentive, and compassionate.
Recovery started the next day, and while the pain was real, it was different—it was the kind that meant healing was happening.
“I was scared going in, but I remember thinking, ‘This is the first step back to being me again.’
“Recovery Was Tough, But Every Day I Got Stronger”
The first week post-op was rough—swelling, stiffness, and moments of doubt crept in. But with daily physiotherapy and encouragement from the staff, Ian improved steadily. He learned to walk again, step by step, and felt pride each time he stood taller, moved smoother, and reclaimed a part of his independence.
He even found comfort in small joys—talking to other patients, watching the ocean from his hotel balcony, and FaceTiming with his grandkids who cheered every milestone.
“The day I walked without the cane… I just sat down and cried. I knew I was coming back to life.”
“Coming Home Felt Like a Second Chance”
When Ian returned to Chetwynd, his family greeted him at the airport with open arms and wide eyes. They couldn’t believe how much better he looked—and moved. The limp was gone. The smile was back. In the weeks that followed, Ian started doing things he hadn’t done in years—walking his dog, helping a neighbor with repairs, and even planning a fishing trip.
“I came back a different man. Not just physically—but emotionally. I had hope again. I had my life back.”
“Don’t Let Fear Keep You in Pain”
Ian now speaks openly about his journey, urging others not to wait in silence like he did for so long. He encourages anyone suffering from chronic pain to consider their options and not let fear hold them back. And he credits PlacidWay with helping him find a door when he thought all paths were closed.
“If you’re waiting for surgery and losing yourself in the process, don’t wait anymore. There is help out there. PlacidWay helped me find it—and it changed my life.”
If you or a loved one are struggling to access timely, affordable medical care, PlacidWay can connect you with top-rated clinics and specialists around the world. Your journey to healing doesn’t have to wait.
Disclaimer:
This is a personal story shared to inspire others considering medical tourism. Experiences and results may vary for each individual. Always consult a medical professional before making any health-related decisions.
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