decisions-decisions

I need help making a decision on whether to have my surgery in Tijuana with Dr Almanza or Dr Zapata in Monterrey. My factors are safety first and then the price. $9000. vs $5500. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks

Hello Sharon
I will try to help you with the best I can.
Both surgeons sound great and have glowing patient comments.
I choose Almanza for a few reasons, TJ is easier to get to.
I know someone that he operated on.
His price was lower but there is a reason.
Also I think you can do better than $5500
Operates out of his own clinic and not a hospital.
Does not use a 4 star hotel but his own recovery house.
And last but not least... and I don't want to scare you.... TJ is still a tourist mega for US and Canadians. and I feel pretty safe.
On the other hand... Monterrey is get abit dicey with the drug wars and problems.
You see... I live in Texas but on the Mexican border. Border cities south of Laredo have not really been effected as much but recently it is spilling over to Monterrey, Progreso, and Metamoros areas. That being said... I am going to my dentist in Progreso this week. I just get out before it gets dark. There was a shooting in Progresso a few weeks ago while we were there but it was drug related and the locals hid us very well. That being said... there were probably 20 shootings in Detroit last night.
We love Mexico but you just have to be smart about things.
The road to Metamoros has been a problem in the last few weeks with "bandito's" stopping cars and robbing tourists. This can be verified by reading the Brownsville or Harlingen newspaper of the last week.
As I said... I tell the truth and don't paint false rosy pictures.
Do I feel safe... YES
Will I keep traveling to Mexico border towns... YES
I am happy and excited I will be seeing Almanza in April... YES
If you want to PM me.. please feel free.
Forgive the spelling as my one finger only goes so fast.
Terry

What do you mean that I can do better than $5500. Your not nervous about something going wrong during the procedure. I'm probably going to have it done with Dr. Almanza. I just have to talk to my husband and convince him first. 


Sharon

I returned from TJ on wed after seeing Dr. almanza on Feb 18Th. We felt perfectly safe the entire time we were there and were escorted everywhere. The clinic is a 20 min drive from the airport and the recovery house is abut a 30 min drive from the airport.

i don't know for sure,but I think Monterrey is a couple hours drive from the bod er? Please someone correct me if I am wrong. I may be thinking about another surgeon.

I certainly would not spend an extra $4000. to go further to a surgeon equal to Dr. almanza in skill level.
Good luck
Holly

Holly
Good to hear your back home and doing well!

Thanks! i am actually doing great!
H

Thanks for your input. I'm just a little nervous about the surgery. I just want to make sure he's an experienced surgeon.  I've never been to Mexiico either. I just want to feel safe when they put me under. I'm asking these questions because I don't have first hand experience.

I'm not using Dr. Zapata, but I'll be in the same hospital in Monterrey where Dr. Zapata works. Did you know that the Hospital San Jose Tec is the hospital chosen by the White House to care for the President, his family or any of the White House staffers should they become ill or injured in the area?

I decided against Tijuana because I want to be in a real hospital (no need to get defensive here ladies, just my opinion). I want there to be an ICU with ICU professionals in it. Not an "Intensive Care" room.

Just like they do in Tijuana, you will be picked up from airport in Monterrey by a driver and taken straight to the hotel or the hospital depending on your schedule. I have no problems with staying in the hotel rather than a recovery house. For one, I like my privacy. The doctors come to see you everyday to check on you. In my hotel, there is a fitness room with treadmills. There is a open air mall right behind the hotel with a large chain grocery store and a movie theater that shows American movies. There is a restaurant in the hotel for the two people coming with me. There is an Applebee's right across the street.

The hotel has a shuttle that will take us sightseeing or shopping for free so long as we tell them when we want to go.

And I'm not sure about Dr. Zapata, but Dr. Guajardo requires that his patients stay for a week after surgery. Call me crazy, but you don't want to learn of an issue while you're on the plane or back home.

I researched for months before choosing Monterrey. I wish you luck with your surgery no matter where you have it!