Where you have your surgery
Hey,
The difference in where you have your surgery I have been doing a little information gathering in the past few days. I live in the state of Oregon and in the city of Eugene. I spoke with someone who was going to have to drive to a smaller city than we live in to have her sleeve WLS. She did not want to have the surgery in the city we live in--the cost was too much
Then I was shocked when she said they are doing it as DAY SURGERY and the doctor wants her to go stay in a hotel close to the hospital once they release her from Day Surgery—just in case something goes wrong she can return to the hospital quickly. The doctors have only asked her to say in a hotel for one (1) night then she can come back home—about 60 miles away from where she had the surgery. I was SHOCKED to hear that she is going to receive so little care from the doctor or hospital.
This just reaffirms why I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. I was cared for so differently. I spent part of one day getting all my tests done—which I am sure in the US they do the same thing. I had the opportunity to see the hospital and I also saw how often and how much they cleaned just being there for 3 hours for the tests. I was given paper work to fill out the night before surgery (which they must have you do in Oregon). I met with a doctor the night before (he comes to the Hotel you are staying in) the doctor who explained the surgery and how it is done went into great detail and asked if I had any questions and then spent more time answering my ALL my questions.
In the morning, I was assigned my very own nurse who was taking care of me—she got me ready for the surgery--yes my very own English speaking nurse. That morning I saw the two surgeons, and the anesthesiologist, who again answered ALL my questions that I forgot to ask the night before. They explain exactly what they were going to do and what I would feel like when I woke up.
They would have NEVER sent me to a hotel to recover. I spent 4 days and nights in the complete fully equipped hospital seeing two doctors 3 times a day. I was given a battery of test before they would consider sending me home. On the 5th day, I was driven to the San Diego Airport and I flew home. This is the kind of care you should EXPECT AND DEMAND if you are having this kind of surgery. You need to be doing your recovery in a HOSPITAL.
So the next time someone makes the comment to me about why would I go outside of the US for this kind of surgery this is EXACTLY WHY. When you want the best you do your research and find the best. That is just what I did. No I can’t speak for other doctors in the US or other hospitals, only what I learned while doing a bit of research here in Eugene, OR If you are having WLS PLEASE ask the doctors, the hospital and those involved what their care is like, and what they will be providing you during your WLS.
Make them back up what they are telling you before you arrive there for surgery. YOU have the right to have the best care possible. You NEED to be your own advocate when it comes to your Health Care. NEVER SETTLE for anything less than the best when it comes to your health.
This is NOT to time to EVER be a PRICE SHOPPER--save that later for your new clothes you are going to be buying. This is the time to really evaluate why they are charing you less. There usually a reason why they charge a lot less--not the same supplies are used, low quilty of staples are used, you are NOT in a hospital for your after care, and are in a recovery house or clinic. These are things I want you to really thing about. This is ALL about you and your health.
The difference in where you have your surgery I have been doing a little information gathering in the past few days. I live in the state of Oregon and in the city of Eugene. I spoke with someone who was going to have to drive to a smaller city than we live in to have her sleeve WLS. She did not want to have the surgery in the city we live in--the cost was too much
Then I was shocked when she said they are doing it as DAY SURGERY and the doctor wants her to go stay in a hotel close to the hospital once they release her from Day Surgery—just in case something goes wrong she can return to the hospital quickly. The doctors have only asked her to say in a hotel for one (1) night then she can come back home—about 60 miles away from where she had the surgery. I was SHOCKED to hear that she is going to receive so little care from the doctor or hospital.
This just reaffirms why I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. I was cared for so differently. I spent part of one day getting all my tests done—which I am sure in the US they do the same thing. I had the opportunity to see the hospital and I also saw how often and how much they cleaned just being there for 3 hours for the tests. I was given paper work to fill out the night before surgery (which they must have you do in Oregon). I met with a doctor the night before (he comes to the Hotel you are staying in) the doctor who explained the surgery and how it is done went into great detail and asked if I had any questions and then spent more time answering my ALL my questions.
In the morning, I was assigned my very own nurse who was taking care of me—she got me ready for the surgery--yes my very own English speaking nurse. That morning I saw the two surgeons, and the anesthesiologist, who again answered ALL my questions that I forgot to ask the night before. They explain exactly what they were going to do and what I would feel like when I woke up.
They would have NEVER sent me to a hotel to recover. I spent 4 days and nights in the complete fully equipped hospital seeing two doctors 3 times a day. I was given a battery of test before they would consider sending me home. On the 5th day, I was driven to the San Diego Airport and I flew home. This is the kind of care you should EXPECT AND DEMAND if you are having this kind of surgery. You need to be doing your recovery in a HOSPITAL.
So the next time someone makes the comment to me about why would I go outside of the US for this kind of surgery this is EXACTLY WHY. When you want the best you do your research and find the best. That is just what I did. No I can’t speak for other doctors in the US or other hospitals, only what I learned while doing a bit of research here in Eugene, OR If you are having WLS PLEASE ask the doctors, the hospital and those involved what their care is like, and what they will be providing you during your WLS.
Make them back up what they are telling you before you arrive there for surgery. YOU have the right to have the best care possible. You NEED to be your own advocate when it comes to your Health Care. NEVER SETTLE for anything less than the best when it comes to your health.
This is NOT to time to EVER be a PRICE SHOPPER--save that later for your new clothes you are going to be buying. This is the time to really evaluate why they are charing you less. There usually a reason why they charge a lot less--not the same supplies are used, low quilty of staples are used, you are NOT in a hospital for your after care, and are in a recovery house or clinic. These are things I want you to really thing about. This is ALL about you and your health.
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Great post....Im having my surgery at Duke.....Im a Duke employee and they will only cover WLS surgery performed there.
I wont name any names, but I have been told by 3 people to steer clear of one Duke doctor in particular...
I choose Dr. Sudan....1) because he is the only one there who does the DS...2) I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him :)
I wont name any names, but I have been told by 3 people to steer clear of one Duke doctor in particular...
I choose Dr. Sudan....1) because he is the only one there who does the DS...2) I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him :)
Hi,
I hear just what you are saying. It is a BIG thing to be able to get your insurance to pay for the surgery if you can. I wish you great success and a quick recovery. If you have questions along the way. I am always out here.
Hugs,
Suzanne
I hear just what you are saying. It is a BIG thing to be able to get your insurance to pay for the surgery if you can. I wish you great success and a quick recovery. If you have questions along the way. I am always out here.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
I'm also surprised your friend is having VSG outpatient, but many people only stay in the hospital one night after surgery. If there are no complications, there is really no reason to stay longer. I had my RNY 180 miles from where I live, stayed in the hospital one night, then went home the next day, 180 miles away. There is a hospital with an ER in my town where I could be treated in an emergency if I was unable to travel three hours to my surgeon's.
It does sound like you got really excellent care. Do you think since most of their patients are paying cash for surgery that they feel more of an incentive to provide good customer service? My choice of surgeons was pretty limited because not many in my state take my insurance so even if I felt the customer service was bad, I would have been likely to try to stick it out. But if you pay cash you can take that cash to any doctor or hospital.
Or maybe it's just a cultural thing? In Mexico, is it common to treat patients that way?
I think the medical care I got from my surgeon and hospital was just fine. I just don't think they went way out of their way to provide good customer service. Like, my surgeon's bedside manner wasn't awful but it wasn't the greatest, either.
It does sound like you got really excellent care. Do you think since most of their patients are paying cash for surgery that they feel more of an incentive to provide good customer service? My choice of surgeons was pretty limited because not many in my state take my insurance so even if I felt the customer service was bad, I would have been likely to try to stick it out. But if you pay cash you can take that cash to any doctor or hospital.
Or maybe it's just a cultural thing? In Mexico, is it common to treat patients that way?
I think the medical care I got from my surgeon and hospital was just fine. I just don't think they went way out of their way to provide good customer service. Like, my surgeon's bedside manner wasn't awful but it wasn't the greatest, either.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Hi,
We all have to feel comfortable with the care that we receive.
I just want people to feel comfortable asking questions, and knowing that got the answer they were looking for. I can only speak about my own experience,
and I would trade the care I received from Dr. Aceves for anything. He is wonderful and if I lived closer to him, I would make him my PCP. 
Suzanne
We all have to feel comfortable with the care that we receive.
I just want people to feel comfortable asking questions, and knowing that got the answer they were looking for. I can only speak about my own experience,
and I would trade the care I received from Dr. Aceves for anything. He is wonderful and if I lived closer to him, I would make him my PCP. Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
culture could have something to do with it. My mum is in hospital right now (scotland) and the doctors and nurses couldn't be more caring. It has always been the case when she needs to go to hospital. They can't do enough for you and go above and beyond and take pride in doing so.
When I had my RNY here they were competant (most of them) but not particularly high on the bedside manner.
In fact the nicest (by far) person there was the cleaner who..funnily enough....was mexican so maybe you are on to something there. It's not that I think americans don't care as such, but I have lived in different countries and the way people interact with one another can be very different depending where you are.
When I had my RNY here they were competant (most of them) but not particularly high on the bedside manner.
In fact the nicest (by far) person there was the cleaner who..funnily enough....was mexican so maybe you are on to something there. It's not that I think americans don't care as such, but I have lived in different countries and the way people interact with one another can be very different depending where you are.
HW: 218, SW: 204, CW: 139 GW: 112-119
(deactivated member)
on 11/2/11 1:34 pm
on 11/2/11 1:34 pm
Had mine at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla. Stay is from 2-4 nights. Then the surgeon required a 5 night stay in a hotel after the hospital so that you were within 30 minutes of HIM and his hospital.
How many of your hospitals sent you home with surgical scrub to shower with twice before reporting to surgery? I am surprised at the number of hospitals that don't do that. It prevents a lot of transmission of staph. Scripps Memorial and Cleveland Clinic require it.
Cleveland Clinic even swabs your nostrils with antibiotic ointment.
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