TJ, Mexico and Safety, and other questions
Beamer
on 12/13/08 10:31 pm - AL
on 12/13/08 10:31 pm - AL
My husband is very worried about my safety in Tijuana. I have all the confidence in the world in Dr. Quiroz but with all the stories about kidnapping and such, it's just scary. Also, what do you do if you have complications after the surgery?
How long do you plan on staying after the surgery? Is the plane trip hope difficult?
How long do you plan on staying after the surgery? Is the plane trip hope difficult?
Because He Lives....
I had my surgery in Tijuana in June 08 and I did not feel unsafe at any time. I was driven from the airport in San Diego to the hospital, I stayed in the hospital from Friday morning till Sunday morning. My surgeon walked me from the hospital to the hotel directly across the street. I stayed in the hotel overnight. I could have stayed 3 days but I felt fine, was not in pain, had no problems drinking liquids or taking meds but I wanted to come home. I changed my flight and my doctor arranged for the van to take me back to the airport Monday morning. I was driven to the airport with no problems.
Yes the crime is bad in TJ and most of the other border towns but it is not like you are going to be walking the streets, hanging out in bars, or buying drugs. It is scary but you are going from the airport to the hospital or hotel and back to the airport. Unless your van gets ambushed or they storm the hospital I don't foresee any problems. I would go back and do it again despite the crimimal dangers.
I only had a short flight from SD to Phx but I had not problems navigating the airport or carrying/pulling my own luggage. I did get early boarding so I would be assured an aisle seat (I flew Southwest so no assigned seats).
The VSG while not complication free is one of the less risky surgeries. Depending on the complication I would have gone to my PCP or hospital or if needed gone back down to TJ. I did not have any complications so I cannot say from direct experience what to do.
Feel free to PM if you have any other questions
Yes the crime is bad in TJ and most of the other border towns but it is not like you are going to be walking the streets, hanging out in bars, or buying drugs. It is scary but you are going from the airport to the hospital or hotel and back to the airport. Unless your van gets ambushed or they storm the hospital I don't foresee any problems. I would go back and do it again despite the crimimal dangers.
I only had a short flight from SD to Phx but I had not problems navigating the airport or carrying/pulling my own luggage. I did get early boarding so I would be assured an aisle seat (I flew Southwest so no assigned seats).
The VSG while not complication free is one of the less risky surgeries. Depending on the complication I would have gone to my PCP or hospital or if needed gone back down to TJ. I did not have any complications so I cannot say from direct experience what to do.
Feel free to PM if you have any other questions
Whatever you do is it truthful, necessary and kind?
I've never felt unsafe in TJ. I've had 2 rounds of plastics at Cosmed and am planning an Inner Thigh Lift in the new year.
For some procedures you spend the night at Cosmed. Others (Breasts) you just head to your hotel after some recovery time. How long you stay is determined by you & Dr. Q based on your surgeries and healing. I would think a minimum of 5 days though.
I highly recommend staying at The Lucerna www.hoteleslucerna.com it's 5 minutes from Cosmed.
I drive across (I live north of SD) so I can't speak to how a plane is after.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You are in excellent hands. Dr. Q is a magic man!
~Michelle
For some procedures you spend the night at Cosmed. Others (Breasts) you just head to your hotel after some recovery time. How long you stay is determined by you & Dr. Q based on your surgeries and healing. I would think a minimum of 5 days though.
I highly recommend staying at The Lucerna www.hoteleslucerna.com it's 5 minutes from Cosmed.
I drive across (I live north of SD) so I can't speak to how a plane is after.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You are in excellent hands. Dr. Q is a magic man!
~Michelle
Gracies
on 12/19/08 8:57 am
on 12/19/08 8:57 am
The latest news report are a bit unsettling but I think if you just go to the hotel and don't venture out you will be fine. I have been to TJ 3 times now for surgery and haven't really had any problems. I just posted about a trip to the grocery store that was crawling with police with machine guns and finding out that was sort of "normal" but no problems. I also stayed at the Lucerna and felt very safe there.
How long you stay depends on what surgery you are having. Dr. Quiroz should be telling you how long to stay. You should not need to guess. My first surgery with Dr. Quiroz was a LBL and BL and I stayed 10 days. My second surgery was arms, lipo with fat transfer and another surgery that doesn't have a name and I stayed 5 days I think. I probably should have stayed a day or two longer on that one. But ask them to tell you how much time you will need and plan for that.
As far as complications it's a good idea to have your PCP at home be on board with this whole thing so that if you need help when you get home you have it. I needed help and was glad I had included her on on everything so she knew what was going on and I had her support. If you run into trouble in TJ you will need to just be flexible on how long your stay is. It's rare but you may need to go into the hospital if you have life threatening complications. Or you may just need to extend your trip if you are not healing or having other complications. I think you go in with a plan but you have to know it is not set in stone and you need to be prepared to stay longer if need be.
One of the reasons I chose MX was because the plane ride was shorter for me than going anywhere else. The plane rides are not fun but not horrible. Just take some good drugs and don't forget to ask your carrier for a wheelchair. Southwest has taken such good care of me on all my flights with them. They put me on the plane first, wheel me around the airport from the curb to wherever I need to be and helped to the bathroom, to get food, etc. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Even if you have someone with you it's good to get all the help you can.
How long you stay depends on what surgery you are having. Dr. Quiroz should be telling you how long to stay. You should not need to guess. My first surgery with Dr. Quiroz was a LBL and BL and I stayed 10 days. My second surgery was arms, lipo with fat transfer and another surgery that doesn't have a name and I stayed 5 days I think. I probably should have stayed a day or two longer on that one. But ask them to tell you how much time you will need and plan for that.
As far as complications it's a good idea to have your PCP at home be on board with this whole thing so that if you need help when you get home you have it. I needed help and was glad I had included her on on everything so she knew what was going on and I had her support. If you run into trouble in TJ you will need to just be flexible on how long your stay is. It's rare but you may need to go into the hospital if you have life threatening complications. Or you may just need to extend your trip if you are not healing or having other complications. I think you go in with a plan but you have to know it is not set in stone and you need to be prepared to stay longer if need be.
One of the reasons I chose MX was because the plane ride was shorter for me than going anywhere else. The plane rides are not fun but not horrible. Just take some good drugs and don't forget to ask your carrier for a wheelchair. Southwest has taken such good care of me on all my flights with them. They put me on the plane first, wheel me around the airport from the curb to wherever I need to be and helped to the bathroom, to get food, etc. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Even if you have someone with you it's good to get all the help you can.
********************* Don't go to Tijuana whatever you do*******************
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