If you're going to Mexico to have surgery...
You should be prepared.
Make sure you know that there will be a language barrier, even if a small few speak English, you are going to be in pain and need to be able to communicate effectively to be taken care of properly.
Please, please! prepare accordingly.
Bring a laptop or tablet/ipad/pocket dictionary. Something with a Spanish - English translator or use one of the popular translator sites. There are several but here are a few:
http://www.spanishdict.com/translation
http://translate.google.com/
http://dictionary.reverso.net/spanish-english/
http://www.freetranslation.com/
You should also have follow up care in place BEFORE you go! or at least know your health insurance inside and out when it comes to surgeries done out of the country.
Know that you will be in pain! Hello!? you're having a MAJOR, read it again M A J O R!!! abdominal surgery. Most of a main organ is being cut in half and sealed back together with tiny titanium staples, while the rest of it is going in the hazard waste bin. This will effect all of your being and you would be a fool to not expect it.
Be aware that you are not the only one who will be having surgery that day, there will be others who need the surgeons and nurses time just as much as you. Be patient, but if you have something wrong that requires immediate attention or meds SPEAK UP!
Do your research! on here or youtube or elsewhere, on what to expect after surgery in hospital and out (wk 1 - wk 2 etc.).
If you have special cir****tances or need meds or supplies that may not be available in another country bring enough to get you by until you get back home. That being said there's no need to go overboard. Just know other countries don't sell things like gas x or Advil, and if they do its usually under a different name (give you a chance to exercise your Spanish tongue).
Above all, respect the Vets on here as they are a wealth of knowledge and can usually help ease a lot of worries and if not they can almost always point you in a general direction.
~Cheers
Selina (Red)
P.S. Please add on to this as I am sure I forgot something or another.
Make sure you know that there will be a language barrier, even if a small few speak English, you are going to be in pain and need to be able to communicate effectively to be taken care of properly.
Please, please! prepare accordingly.
Bring a laptop or tablet/ipad/pocket dictionary. Something with a Spanish - English translator or use one of the popular translator sites. There are several but here are a few:
http://www.spanishdict.com/translation
http://translate.google.com/
http://dictionary.reverso.net/spanish-english/
http://www.freetranslation.com/
You should also have follow up care in place BEFORE you go! or at least know your health insurance inside and out when it comes to surgeries done out of the country.
Know that you will be in pain! Hello!? you're having a MAJOR, read it again M A J O R!!! abdominal surgery. Most of a main organ is being cut in half and sealed back together with tiny titanium staples, while the rest of it is going in the hazard waste bin. This will effect all of your being and you would be a fool to not expect it.
Be aware that you are not the only one who will be having surgery that day, there will be others who need the surgeons and nurses time just as much as you. Be patient, but if you have something wrong that requires immediate attention or meds SPEAK UP!
Do your research! on here or youtube or elsewhere, on what to expect after surgery in hospital and out (wk 1 - wk 2 etc.).
If you have special cir****tances or need meds or supplies that may not be available in another country bring enough to get you by until you get back home. That being said there's no need to go overboard. Just know other countries don't sell things like gas x or Advil, and if they do its usually under a different name (give you a chance to exercise your Spanish tongue).
Above all, respect the Vets on here as they are a wealth of knowledge and can usually help ease a lot of worries and if not they can almost always point you in a general direction.
~Cheers
Selina (Red)
P.S. Please add on to this as I am sure I forgot something or another.
GREAT post Selina! Excellent advice and information. I didn't go to Mexico for my surgery - but am close to some individuals who did and who are doing very well. As an RN - I particularly echo your feelings about the fact that people tend to not think too much about the fact that this is MAJOR SURGERY. You WILL have pain - you WILL be uncomfortable for a while. You MAY at some point wonder "what the heck did I do to myself?". In my work - I have seen so many people over the years who sign consent for surgeries - I'm talking about any surgery - without REALLY thinking and researching and being fully aware of what they are going to feel like post op. I can't tell you how many people come through our ER as post-op patients who have been discharged home and now are having pain or other issues and many times tell me - I didn't know it would hurt this much, or I didn't know I wouldn't be able to lift up my toddler, or I'm nauseated, or I can't move my bowels. Seriously people - prepare yourself - it is surgery and a MAJOR insult to your body. The anaesthetic alone takes a while to get over - let alone the re-arranging or your insides. Again - excellent post Selina. Cheers everyone!
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