The night before: preparation
What to do the evening before your health check-up appointment:
- ▸Fast from 10:00 PM: no food, no coffee, no juice — plain water is fine and encouraged
- ▸Take regular medications as normal unless your doctor has told you otherwise (tell the nurse which medications you take at registration)
- ▸If you take blood pressure medication: continue as normal — it shouldn't affect results
- ▸If you take metformin or diabetes medication: take only after the blood draw, as instructed by your regular doctor
- ▸Sleep normally — good rest before a check-up is helpful for accurate blood pressure readings
- ▸Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing — you will change into a hospital gown
- ▸Bring: passport or ID, any previous health reports you have, a list of current medications
Morning of check-up: arrival and registration
What happens when you arrive at the hospital:
- ▸Arrive 15–30 minutes before your appointment (recommended 7:00–7:30 AM for morning packages at busy hospitals)
- ▸Go to the health check-up center or international patient department — usually clearly signed
- ▸Registration: present your ID, complete a health history form (allergies, medications, previous conditions), choose any add-ons you want
- ▸Payment: pay for the package upfront at registration, or bill to your room if inpatient
- ▸Receive your check-up booklet/folder: this tracks you through all stations during the morning
- ▸Change into a hospital gown if required (some hospitals provide a robe; basic packages may not require gown change)
The check-up stations: what happens and in what order
Typical sequence of stations in a Bangkok executive health check-up (order varies by hospital):
- ▸1. Blood draw (phlebotomy): first stop, usually takes 5–10 minutes. Most blood results are processed during the rest of your morning
- ▸2. Urine and stool samples: containers provided at registration; stool sample can be brought from home
- ▸3. Body composition: height, weight, body fat percentage, BMI — automated machine, 2–3 minutes
- ▸4. Blood pressure and pulse: seated rest first, then measured 2–3 times for accuracy
- ▸5. Vision test: basic near/far vision, eye pressure in some packages
- ▸6. Chest X-ray: radiographer positions you in front of the X-ray panel — 5 minutes
- ▸7. ECG / EKG: lie on a bed, 10 electrodes attached for 2 minutes; detects heart rhythm abnormalities
- ▸8. Abdominal ultrasound: gel on abdomen, sonographer scans liver, gallbladder, kidney, spleen — 15–20 minutes; you stay lying down; some hospitals include thyroid ultrasound
- ▸9. Mammogram (women): only in women's packages; 10–15 minutes
- ▸10. Pap smear / pelvic exam (women): women's packages; done in private room by gynecologist
- ▸11. Wait for blood results: 2–4 hours — hospital has a waiting lounge, often with free coffee/tea and snacks after blood draw; bring a book or download a podcast
- ▸12. Doctor consultation: internist reviews all results with you, explains findings, answers questions — 15–30 minutes
- ▸13. Receive your report: printed comprehensive report to take home, plus digital version available via hospital app or email
After your check-up: next steps
What to do when you leave the hospital with your results:
- ▸Get a digital copy of all results — most Bangkok hospitals email a PDF; ask explicitly if it's not offered
- ▸Normal results: show your GP at home on your next visit; file as baseline for future comparison
- ▸Abnormal/borderline results: the doctor has already advised next steps — don't panic; most findings at screening age are early-stage and manageable
- ▸New diagnoses (hypertension, borderline diabetes, high cholesterol): prescriptions can often be obtained same day or next day in Bangkok
- ▸Imaging CDs (MRI, CT, X-ray): request a CD or USB of your imaging files to bring home for your local doctor
- ▸The doctor consultation letter: a stamped, signed report from the physician is useful for your GP or employer occupational health team
- ▸Fasting is over: eat! Bangkok has world-class food everywhere near major hospitals