it was here that jeff wheeler decided to get shoulder replacement surgery in a move many of his friends and family called risky. u.s.lot of people in the picture this as being a third world country. until you go and understand, they just don't really know. >> he injured his shoulder while working as a boilermaker. he received workers comp and was given the option to get his shoulder repaired on his own. >> i checked the prices and compared prices. i thought it would be nice to travel and have a little adventure. >> even thailand was nearly $100,000 less than the lowest quote he received in the u.s. is the real price of having major surgery in southeast asia your health? doctors here say, no. [indiscernible] you get good service and a cheap price. >> in 2011, about 75,000 people came here just for medical treatment. according to government statistics, that number increased by about 15% last year. thai officials claim the vast majority meet the same certification as doctors in the u.s. the mortality rate after major surgeries is just as low as in the u.s. 48 hours after surgery, wheeler w