Bogota, Columbia

Hello all I have looked into Bogota CO recently and actually have spoken to Dr. Silva there. So far so good on that aspect. The reason I am posting is to ask anyone out there if they have had experience with this doctor and how everything went. I am looking to go alone and so far I have noticed two different posts one being very positive and the other being very negative about going alone. Please someone help clarify if this would be a good choice for me since I must finance this by myself. I am looking to get a surgery date as early as NOV. Thank you all for your help in this matter. --S.

Dear S. Waiting, I had a wonderful experience in Bogota with Dr. Silva and Dr. Valencia. I had my surgery on September 2nd and have since lost 30 pounds. The whole experience was wonderful. I am sure you read my testimonial. I went alone but I was rarely alone!!!! I had a wonderful escort/translator who took me everywhere and visited me in the hospital. Then, I had wonderful nurses in the hospital and the first night back at the hotel. The surgeons both spoke English and the care I was received from everyone was outstanding. I am a nurse so I know what to look for. I have felt great since returning home and am back to full activity. I know this is a major decision and then to decide to go abroad for it just adds to the whole experience. If you want to speak on the phone, let me know and I can all you. Dr. Silva and Dr. Valencia and the whole staff are wonderful people and I never felt so loved in my whole life. It really was a wonderful hospital and personal experience. The columbian people are just beautiful. Keep me posted. Marianne

Oh God I am so glad to hear of people who have gone out of the US to have the surgery done. I was born in Bogota, Colombia and most of my family still live there. My aunt, who is a nurse, knows of Dr. Diaz who I have been emailing with for the past 3 weeks. He studied the RNY here in NJ. I'm not nervous about having done there. I know that they do wonderful medical work there and like I said I have family so I will stay with my grandmother. And I know my aunt and uncle who work in the medical field will take good care of me. What I am a little nervous about is that fact that the dr. says I can come back after only 20 days post-op. I'm worried about getting the properly care after the surgery. How long where you in Colombia after surgery and how do you take care of yourself here now? I see all these journal talking about all the follow-ups after surgery and I'm wondering how I will do that if I have my op in Colombia. Thanks Johanna

Dear Johanna, I had the laparascopic RNY procedure and was in Bogota for only 12 days before flying back to New York. I had surgery on a Thursday and was discharged on the Monday. With the laparascopic procedure, you only have 4-5 small incisions which cuts down on the hospital time and recuperation time and the pain was mild for the first two days. The only care I had to do when I came home was to feed myself properly. I will be followed by a local bariatric surgeon now that I am home. I had visited with her a few times but my insurance denied me so I went to Bogota. Congratulations on making the decision to go ahead. Having family there to take care of you will make all the difference. Gook luck. Keep in touch if you would like. Marianne