Just got back from a Mexican Chop Shop and I don't recommend it.

[Joe Poppa]

...As far as the science is aware, there are three major races, Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid....

So no feathers are ruffled, how about we refer to these 3 major races as people who are members of a race where some members:
Can't jump or dance well, can't drive well but some excel in math and science or are scared to go to Ferguson, Missouri.

[Joe Poppa]

(Duplicate post.)

[Philabethie2016]

Obviously none of us were there, and maybe it’s how your post is coming across, but maybe your expectations were a little skewed? Before your trip, you were joking around that you were going to a “Mexican Chop Shop” and then, when you got to Tijuana, it was just as “dirty and disgusting” as you had imagined. So it sounds like you weren’t exactly comfortable with the idea of going to Mexico for surgery in the first place? But then you were also put out that your driver didn’t take your bag and that no one held your hand, and offered you the ladies room and asked how your trip was when you got there. That seems like a bit of a disconnect to me.

I had my surgery in a top level, highly rated American medical facility. There wasn’t a lot of small talk with my nurses, as they were prepping at least ten other patients for surgery. No one took my bags when I got there. No one asked how my drive in was. I saw my anesthesiologist for 2 minutes before my surgery and then for about a hot minute while the mask was being put over my face. I never saw my surgeon before or after on the day of surgery – in fact, in all my visits to his office, I’ve met him once, for about 5 minutes. I did research him thoroughly on-line and I had the benefit of a pretty extensive pre-surgery education program, but I certainly wouldn’t expect that if I’d been having my surgery in Mexico. My follow-ups during my hospital stay were done by his assisting doc and sometimes med students. The view in my shared room was of my tv, the door, two walls, and a green curtain separating me from my surgery roomie, a lady with a large, loud family visiting her every available hour and eating lots of stinky food. It was boring and, for the two days I was there, I had nothing but ice chips and bland broth and jello. No popsicle treats, lol.

And that was pretty much what I expected. I’ve had numerous surgeries and that’s the experience. What I want out of my surgery experience is skill and safety, not an ego massage or a vacation experience. Do you have a lot of experience in hospitals in general? You complained you were walking around with the metal pole carrying your bag and you seemed unhappy because the needle in your hand never went away (all pretty routine for hospital visits). And you were worried the air bubbles in your IV were going to kill you. It’s not uncommon to see air bubbles in an IV – although nurses do try and avoid them. But your body breaks them up, unless it’s just a huge amount of air. Nothing sounds that out of the ordinary?

I don’t know. It seems like you went into it with a bad mindset about Mexico in general and with expectations that went far beyond what you were paying for. It was a lower cost surgical clinic in a foreign country, not a high end day spa. Other than the level of customer service, was there other stuff that made you feel like you didn't get good care?

[Rayer]

Alliegator, it sounds like a rough trip for sure but hopefully you'll be well on the way to feeling better soon. Focus now on losing the weight, getting in the required nutrients, regaining energy and keeping on track. The petty tit for tat'n on here is not neccessary. I'm glad you made it home safe.

[AllieGator]

THanks for your input. I agree with you that just because the customer service was not up to par, doesn't mean my surgeon is a bad one.....that is why I didn't want to malign him by posting his name. Unfortunately, some other blogger looked it up and posted it on my thread (which I didn't appreciate)...in any event...yes, I ask myself what have I done, but I am hopeful that this will be a successful long term tool to get and keep my weight in check. Thank you for your response and best wishes to you....and congrats on almost 100 lbs down! Amazing!

[AllieGator]

Thank you for your kind and empathetic words, Belle22. Just because the overall experience from a customer service standpoint was not good, I am still hopeful that my surgeon did a good job....and so far, nothing seems wrong. Nevertheless, you are right...finding a local doctor for some follow up would give me some peace of mind. Best wishes to you with your upcoming surgery!

[AllieGator]

Being in the business of sales and customer service....and knowing that referrals are so important in a business like medical tourism....I expected a little more "bedside manner" and common courtesy. Maybe I am a little more spoiled in my day to day life. I DON'T have a lot of experience in medical facilities and I have been adamant about NOT maligning the work of my doctor (trying not to share his name even!) because he may have been a skilled surgeon and time will tell on that end and I am not feeling anything right now that would lead me to believe he has botched my sleeve in any way. It was a tough few days and hopefully with time I will look back and be glad that I made the decision that I did. Thank you for your input.

[Green rider]

Dr. Almanza was my surgeon and it was a great experience. If you spend a few hours and read posts by people that have had surgery based complications, most likely they had their surgery in the U.S. Just saying.

[AllieGator]

Thank you Rayer! I appreciate it.....feeling pretty good and doing the things that you are suggesting. Although my experience left something to be desired, I in no way at this point, am doubting the skill set of my surgeon and hoping that he did a good job on me. Excited about losing some weight for sure! THank you for your kind empathetic words and positive spirit!

[odesskiy]

So no feathers are ruffled, how about we refer to these 3 major races as people who are members of a race where some members:
Can't jump or dance well, can't drive well but some excel in math and science or are scared to go to Ferguson, Missouri.

Great idea! I forgot for a second how politically correct everyone has gotten and how easily the race card is played these days.

[carla3]

AllieGator,I realize this forum is a place to talk about things-problems, concerns, etc, but to get on here and rant and rave and go on and on about how bad everything was is a little hard to understand. Why didn't you just leave if it was that bad? There had to be something there that was done right, or someone must have treated you right. My God all that carrying on just scares people. I am sorry that you had it so bad there, but I have read so many more good things about Mexico and the surgery experiences there than I have bad things. My surgery is scheduled in August with Dr. Almanza, and I am
so excited and looking forward to it. I do hope the rest of your weight loss experience is successful. Good luck!

[Philabethie2016]

I would love to see all go well with you and a happy "I hit goal!!" post on here down the road

[Ann2]

Alliegator -- For the record, I didn't "look up" your surgeon's name. It was right there on your original post in your signature block before you deleted it.

Just sayin'.

I'm glad you're starting to feel better about your experience. I hope you have a GREAT recovery. This surgery can be stressful in so many ways.

Very best to you.

[Janeanne67]

Scott, haha yours was the only post worth reading lol and damn, how accurate are your race traits. ������

[jamie9498]

I had surgery in Mexico it was in a hospital that was nicer then some of the hospitals I have been to in the states. Normal protocol with surgeons is you only see them for a few minutes before and after surgery. There is a statement my aunt used to make being an RN that surgeons are surgeons because they are aholes and have no people skills. People don't talk back when you cut on them. Its part of the surgeon protocol. Once my blood pressure went back into the normal range after surgery I only saw nurses during medication times and to change my IV bags. I too had the IV in until about two hours before I left to ensure I was getting the fluids I needed. No one took my bags, no one catered to me its a normal hospital routine you sign paper you do your pretest you get cut, you heal the end.