My Experience in Mexico Sucked!!

[mrsmichael]

I am going to post about my experience here. I arrived in San Diego and waited 40 minutes for the shuttle - it was late. My husband and I were getting sleeved together so we were able to be together every step of the way - we thought. We went from the airport to the Hotel Ticuan where we checked in and paid for the week. Since there were going to be 10 of us the next day 3/11/13 - we were to have the EKG and the blood work done at the hotel. Martin the patient coordinator came to get the paperwork signed and we were going to be one and two of the five people who spent the first night in the hsopital and had the surgery first thing in the morning. The lab people came in - he stuck me 5 times and had to get someone else to do it. The other person stuck me one time and got enough blood to finish the two little tubes. The EKG went off without a hitch. My huaband and I went down to check back out since we would be spending two nights at the hospital. The hotel charged us for the room since we were in it for 4 hours. We found out later they rented the room out after we were out of there - so they made double money on that room for Sunday night.
Off to the hospital - just like people said, located in a strip center. The three other people had their blood work done and their EKG's done and their IV's started while my husband and I waited in the waiting room for about two hours. I was then taken back, given a gown and shown to a room. Once in a room, the nurse tried to do an IV, noticing all the bruising, he only stuck me once stating that the morning nurse could get me an IV before the surgery in the morning. No IV for me that night. My husband was then shown up to my room with an IV about 30 minutes later. We then went to sleep.
We were awoken about 500am to meet Dr. Almanza - all 5 of us morning patients. He tolld us what he was going to do, what we should eat for the next couple of weeks, and then asked if we had any questions. He then took before pictures and left. That is the only contact I had with the doctor the entire time I was in Mexico. The surgery's started about 30 minures after that for the day. I was number 3 to go. Lupita came up to start my IV and she was fantastic. She got my vein with no problems and was really good. My turn for surgery and I walked down the stairs to the operating room - got on the table and they knocked me out. After the surgery they must have woken me up in the operating room because I walked back up the stairs and laid in the bed for about an hour. My husband was then done with his surgery. We laid together for about an hour. They then told me I had to go to the women's facility which is down the strip center. So, three of us women went. I laid there the whole rest of the day in terrible pain. I felt like there was no pain management - I was really hurting all day. They were giving me antibiotics and anti-nausea meds and said they were giving me the pain meds but I was in a lot of pain. Finally by the end of the day I couldn't take anymore and I buzzed every five minutes until he gave me something. He said he gave me some - then when I said I didn't feel any different, he finally came clean that he was out of pain meds and had to call over and get some more. So, finally a shot of the good stuff and that was the first relief I had all day.
Then the day after surgery was no better. I got released early in the morning to go back to the hotel. When I was walking out my husband was walking in - they moved him over to this facility for more observation for Tuesday. At the hotel the nurse came right in and shot me up with antibiotics, anti-nausea, and pain meds. I took a shower and I tried to sleep. I laid in bed as long as I could. I got a call about 300 in the afternoon to go back to the hospital for an IV bag of fluids. When I was leaving the shuttle that was picking all of us up brought my husband back to the hotel. The fluids took a couple of hours and then back to the hotel. When we got back I was asking about pain meds and the nurse told me to take the pills they had given us. So, I have an IV site still in, and I am supposed to be swallowing pills? Ugh! This is one day after surgery. Miserable since it still hurts to swallow anything - much less the antibiotic - and the pain pill.
The next day we had to go get the x-ray to show that it wasn't leaking - so drinking the gross blue stuff. Then in the afternoon get the drain out and the IV site out. Everything hurt and there was absolutely no pain management. I hated Mexico. All I can do now is pray that the actual surgery part is done right - and I don't know yet to be honest. Stitches should come out tomorrow. I do finally not hurt every second of every day. I am finally able to swallow without it hurting everytime - but I am 9 days out.
I am sorry to burst everyone's bubble - but mine and my husbands experience were not all sunshine and roses. Our experiences sucked in Mexico. If we had to recommend it - we would not. We would tell people to do it here in the states. Pay the extra money at your local hospital. They will negotiate a cash deal with you - and give you better care than you will receive in Mexico. That is how I feel.

[marilynlw]

Glad you are feeling better now. I can not imagine not having proper pain management after such a surgery. I had a pain pump with a measured drip of morphine and a button to push if more was needed and was reminded by the nurses to push the button every time before getting out of bed to walk After I went home I didn't need pain meds but the first 36 hours was grateful for it. Hope you and your husband have a speedy recovery.

[robertajanzen]

SS ur experience was bad...it does sound awful...I went to Mexico with Dr Alvarez..8700 plus airfare...3 days in hosp...private nursing in a fully staffed hosp with a critical care unit...my husband was my escort and stayed all the time with me ..even in hosp..they had a bed in the room for him at no extra charge. We were provided with A plus care..the attention was amazing including 3 to 5 visits from the Drs a day...twice a day from Dr Alvarez...he even seen us off on discharge...so not all Mexican Drs r bad....and also Dr Alvarez only does a couple a day...no line ups. I'm a nurse and live in Canada where the sleeve isn't popular...long wait to get it done...research research andmore research led me to Dr Alvarez. The trauma u experienced will be a distant memory soon ...sending u well wishes on ur journey!

[gemini*eyes]

This is no different then a bad experience in the US. my dad had a lung removed at the top US hospital and I couldnt believe how he was treated and what he went through. i didnt go to Almanza due to the cattle call.. My experience was pleasant as could be.. lets hope yhe rest of your journey is positive!! GL!

[coly]

FYI, even tho the stitches say to come out in 10 days that doesn't mean they are ready to come out. There are people who have written about stitches under Dr. Almanza's patients. I just don't want you to have any more of a bad experience.

[SKgirl27]

I have heard both good and bad things about dr.almanza. I did not choose him do to the "assembly line" type of operation they have going. I have heard the quote from another patient "if you expect to be pampered dont go to almanza". He was appealing at first due to the low cost of the procedure -but I am glad I paid more for the little extras. I had a great time in Mexico with Dr.Ramos Kelly. Do your research, read reviews, and you can avoid any surprises when you get there. Mexico was a great option for me

[Its_Me]

I'm sorry you and your husbands experience was not great. Here's wishing you both a speed recovery

[JayBaby]

Just curious.... I see that you are from Kansas City. What made you dyceide to go to Mexico for surgery? I went through KC Bariatric. I can not imagine getting up and walking after surgery to go back and get an IV.... WOW! I'm lucky I have good health insurance to pay for my surgery. I wish you and your husband a speedy recovery. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

[mhardester62]

so I will now stop bitching about the amount atena takes out of my husbands check each pay period, I am so sorry to hear you had such a hard time sending you and you husband wishes for a speedy recovery. I could not even begin to think of surgery without morphine , I feel so bad for you guys that is almost barbaric . take care

[Erin78]

Well, I did have surgery in America and I was in horrible pain too. Some pain meds don't work for everyone. My brother went to Mexico and had no pain whatsoever after his surgery.

[robertajanzen]

Agree Erin...I had a awesome experience with Dr Alvarez.in Mexico..he is a lot more costly but it was worth every penny...or nickel..lol no more pennies in Canada. I never had such good care as I did in the Mexico the care was outstanding!

[dbarnes7]

I paid a little more (6500) and went to Dr Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. He only does 3 or 4 surgery's a day and my experience was great. This was the most painless surgery that I have ever had from start to finish. The stitches that I had were the kind that dissolve and were no problem at all. I did only see Dr Ortiz once for a few minutes before surgery but I was taken such good care of by the entire staff that it didn't bother me. The stay at the Marriott was exactly as one would expect a stay at a 5 star hotel to be. I had done a LOT of research and Dr. Almanza was quickly ruled out due to the number of surgery's he does a day and the clinic being in a strip mall.
I hope a couple of months down the road when the healing is all behind you, that you have a better outlook.

[sandiinmo]

Our surgery was on the same day and such different experiences! I hate that you had to to endure that and hope that soon you will enjoy the benefits of the surgery. Thank you for your post. Wishing you and your husband all the best.

[imtad]

I am sorry your experience was so horrible. I had the exact surgery as you with the same doctor and staff and yet our experiences are completely different. I had pain but I expected pain. I knew that I would not be given narcotic pain meds and I knew I would need to be up and walking within hours. My care was wonderful and the staff was very professional. I wish you had had a better go of it. Don't be in such a hurry to remove the stitches. Because of the pressure of my big fat belly I feel like the stitches should have stayed in a few days longer. I had to wear a couple of stri strips for a few days because the spot was splitting a little bit.

[Msvetrn]

Oh, yah...I would really pay the extra $30,000+ here in the states just so I could MAYBE get better care for TWO DAYS. That is how "I" feel.
Again, DENNIS, I ask you AND others....what is the big deal with the clinic being in a STRIP MALL??? When did a STRIP MALL become a negative, horrible place? Its not a strip CLUB. Again...my dentist has his practice in a "strip mall" - should I find a new dentist??????????????