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Safety in Mexico??
Ok what I have been reading about current events in mexico is terrifying, people are being decappitated, dismemberred, kidnapped, raped, tortured and murdered, also carjacked and caught in random crossfire, drive by shooting sprees, these terrorists even set up checkpoints on the road randomly just to stop you and do what they want with you. these people are savages and there are something like and average of 30+ murders a day or something....
I read a huge thread that native mexicans were upset this christmas because they couldnt go home to see there families because it was too much of a risk to go there right now, who in there right mind would put their lives in jepordy and risk getting caught up in a spur of the moment gang war, or terrorist attack... I also heard they target women. Any thoughts to ease my mind??!! I keep reading everyone say they never felt at risk... but this is scary shit! talk to me please
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
Hi Alyse,
I have not been there, but I wanted you to know someone had read your message and wanted to say that except for one incident about 6 months ago where a small electronic device went missing, I really haven't seen anyone here say much about being worried in MX. Over and over, it's said you will be picked up by the surgeon's people in a van on our side of the border, driven everywhere, and will stay in a well secured facility/house overnight, then driven back over the next day. Also, I think, like anywhere in the world, there must be good and bad parts of MX. There are parts of Maine I wouldn't even go to alone, and I'm thinking there must be places that come to your mind that have rough areas, like Chicago, DC, Los Angeles or NYC, right? DC and NYC average more than 1 murder a day, and about a dozen robberies. But even in those places there is more security around the tourist meccas, so I'm thinking if you stay where they recommend you do, you'll be ok..
hope someone with actual experience gets back to you.
Peace,
Grace
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I just read the the travel alerts that the US send out about traveling to Mexico and the parts we are going to are not infested with the crimes you mention, the crimes are in other parts to name a couple, durango Mexico, the part of Mexico named after that little dog I don't to try to spell it,and a few other ones but none close. The medical facilities that we are going to. You always can Google it!!!
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
going to mexico was the best experience. It was clean, we were treated so kindly. I never felt unsafe. Just do a lot of research is all I can tell you.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I have not been scared. We have been either with the driver, at the hospital, or in the hotel. I would not want to be driving. Also will not walk too far from the hospital just because I don't know what areas are safe. But that would be the same way for me in a larger city in the states. Good experience so far.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I went to Mexico 2 times this year. One time as a patient and once to help my SIL when she was a patient. We were completely safe. We went to TJ not out in the middle of nowhere. You are picked up and dropped off in San Diego. You are escorted everywhere you go. I only told a very few people that I was going to Mexico until after I was home because people see these things that happen in the back country and figure it is Mexico in general. Cancun is in Mexico and a lot of people vacation there. I would not spend a night in the slums in Chicago but I love going to the museums and no one ever tells me not to go there. Please check into safety in TJ not Mexico in general.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I had surgery on Aug 23rd 2011 in Tj, Mexico by Dr. Almanza. I never once did not feel safe. You are always with staff from the clinic and they watch you very closely. I would go again in a heartbeat if I had to. People still today can't believe I went to Mexico alone for surgery. I think I would have died sooner from obesity than being a victim of Mexican crime.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
OK I'm not knocking Mexico, because I've never personally been there, but if you do not feel comfortable going, then maybe it is time to re-think your options. The last thing you need is to have anxiety over travelling added to the anxiety of the surgery. Think thru your options, talk to as many people as you can. Mexico is the right option for some, but maybe not for you.
Is there another way you can get financing to do your surgery in the US? Closer to home? Perhaps that would suit you better. Every person is different, with different comfort levels and different needs. Do not force yourself into a situation where you don't feel safe. I do not think that the added stress would be good for you at a time when you need all of your energy to cope with a major surgery, and a major decision to change your life.
Good Luck
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I didn't have my surgery in Mexico; however, if my husband's insurance did not cover the surgery I would have considered it. I do feel the need to give my 2 cents ... although it does sound as if Dr. Almanza consider his patients' safety a priority (providing escorts) PLEASE BE CAREFUL while you are in Mexico!!! My husband's co-worker is a Latin American woman whose family lives in Mexico. Her and her family (husband and 2 children) drove from Dallas to Mexico for Christmas and as soon as they crossed over the border they were followed and robbed at gunpoint - they took everything: clothes, cell phones, shoes, Christmas presents, purses, etc.... I have seen the reports on the news, but I didn't realize the severity of the issue until I heard this story. BE SAFE and take any extra precautions that you can! GOOD LUCK!!!!
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I am having my surgery next Wednesday with Dr. Garcia in TJ, Mexico. I followed a lot of people on youtube who actually went over there and also did a lot of research. As stated above you are only with the people who pick you up, the coordinators and the doctor. I would not venture off to do other things unless I am with someone but I don't plan to do that. I am taking my fiancee with me and plan to only go for surgery and come back, God willing. As also stated above, it is bad in all cities, states, neighborhoods, etc. You have to be comfortable if you are considering this. We will all be a little scared and skeptical but do a lot of research to try and ease you mind and if you find that Mexico is not the place to do it then don't go. Just make sure you are comfortable first.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I went to Mexico, by myself, and felt very protected and safe. It was a clean city and the people are very friendly. You're with staff at all times. Good luck and feel safe.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
There is so much hype in the media. This reminds me of when a friend of mine from Germany was coming to visit me. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles. She called me and asked, "how many times a day do you hear gunfire or get shot at?". I had to buckle over laughing...in 40 some years I have NEVER heard gunfire...but in her mind we would be dodging bullets during her whole stay!
I went to TJ for my surgery, never felt threatened, went shopping, got my picture taken on a donkey painted like a zebra...I had FUN there!
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
There is so much hype in the media. This reminds me of when a friend of mine from Germany was coming to visit me. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles. She called me and asked, "how many times a day do you hear gunfire or get shot at?". I had to buckle over laughing...in 40 some years I have NEVER heard gunfire...but in her mind we would be dodging bullets during her whole stay!
I went to TJ for my surgery, never felt threatened, went shopping, got my picture taken on a donkey painted like a zebra...I had FUN there!
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I am reiterating what everyone else said, but have to put my 2 cents in. I felt so safe in Mexico. The driver takes you everywhere you need to go. When we stayed at the hotel, the staff catered to our every need. We went shopping by ourselves in Tijuana in the morning and had fun! The Mexican people as a whole are very friendly and depend on tourists for their livelihood. A lot of the crime is gang related, or in rural areas. If you don't want to go out in TJ, you don't have to, you can hang at the hotel or recovery house. You will see some parts of the world that make you thankful for all we have in the USA, but I wouldn't say you are in more danger than you would be in an American city.
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Re: Safety in Mexico??
I went to Tijuana alone to have Dr. Kelly do my sleeve. I would be lying if I said I was never scared before going...I was. But once I got to San Diego airport and had a driver waiting at the luggage carousel, my anxiety went out the window. I was treated like a celebrity the time I was there. From the drivers to the hospital and hotel staff, my experience was great. As many have already said, there are incidents in the US everyday, and we still live and work and raise our families here. Do some research, then do what is best for you. I would not have been able to have the life changing sleeve if I had not gone to Mexico.