Am I a Candidate? How Medical Screening for Treatment Abroad Really Works
The most valuable sentence a medical-travel provider can tell you is "this treatment is not right for you." Honest candidacy screening protects your health, your money and your expectations — this guide explains what real screening looks at, and why a provider who never says no is a red flag.
What proper screening actually evaluates
Serious providers screen on four axes: anatomical suitability (donor hair density, bone volume for implants, skin quality), medical safety (heart, clotting, diabetes control, medications), stability (weight, prescription, hair-loss progression), and expectations. Failing one axis rarely means "never" — it usually means "not yet" or "a different technique." The five-question checker above mirrors this first screen.
Why age matters less than stability
A stable 55-year-old is frequently a better candidate than an unstable 25-year-old. Hair transplants on still-progressing loss, laser eye surgery on shifting prescriptions and body contouring during active weight change all produce results that age badly. Good clinics screen for stability first — and will tell a young patient to wait, even when saying yes would be easier.
The red flags of no-screening providers
Instant approval from a WhatsApp photo, quotes issued before any medical questions, and "everyone is a candidate" messaging are the classic warning signs. Complication statistics in medical tourism cluster heavily around providers who skip screening. A free, unhurried medical review that occasionally declines patients is the strongest quality signal you can find.
What to prepare for a real assessment
Recent photos taken as instructed, a short medical history including medications and previous surgeries, and honest lifestyle answers about smoking and alcohol. With these, the DGS Medical Board returns an honest evaluation, the appropriate technique and a transparent cost range — typically within one business day, with no obligation attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the online checker a medical opinion?
No — it is an indicative first screen using the same criteria our medical team applies at intake. Candidacy is only ever confirmed by clinicians reviewing your photos, records and history.
What if the checker says "medical review required"?
It means one or more answers need a specialist's judgement — not that you are unsuitable. Many "review required" cases proceed with an adjusted technique or after a preparatory step such as stabilising a prescription.
Will I be told honestly if I am not a candidate?
Yes — and in writing. Declining unsuitable cases is board policy, because a rejected patient who trusts us returns when the timing is right; a mistreated one never should have travelled.
Does screening cost anything?
No. The assessment, the Medical Board review and the treatment plan are free and carry no obligation.