They discuss patients at bi-monthly team meetings and the patients aren't informed or involved. In my case, after the meeting, they presented me with a "compromise" they conceived on their own without my knowledge, and wouldn't accept any amendment suggested by me to make it an actual compromise. They wouldn't even bring my suggestion back to the team who made the original compromise. I'm not sure how good medicine can be when you remove the patient from the equation.

I have traveled within the USA by myself for surgery. It isn't easy but it is doable. One of the things that I like about surgery in Mx is that you aren't as isolated as I was. You have someone checking in on you every day. I was alone in a hotel by 10 nights.

I have also traveled through Mexico by car having spent a month there last year. I was not alone that time. And I had medical treatment in Merida. Not surgery, but treatment for a digestive disorder. I was extremely impressed with the hospital, physician, quality of care that I received, and the price. I paid $25 US for an hour with a gastroenterologist. That's more than my copay back home, and far less time than my gastro spends with me.

Curious as to why you went to Mexico? I'm choosing Mexico because I believe I should have control over my medical decisions, and I didn't like decisions being made on my behalf by the Richmond bariatric team without my direct involvement. If I'm unable to advocate for myself 100% of the time, it's not proper care, in my opinon.

I had my surgery on January 12, 2018. Everything went great. I fly down to San Antonio on Thursday and waited on the Endobariatric van to Mexico. While waiting on the van I sat and talked to 3 beautiful ladies that were having the surgery the same day as me. We bonded on the trip down.

We were taking to the Hampton in at Piedras Negras in Mexico. The Hampton has been one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in. Clean friendly and accommodating. The Endo Van picked us up the next morning and we were off to get our labs. Once that was done we had a little wait in the waiting room, the day before patients were be discharged. As soon as our rooms were ready we changed into our gowns. We were all done around noon. I thought I was still waiting on the surgery not realizing I already had it. My husband said I was up and walking around 30 after returning to my room. I walked all night and wore myself out. So I slept a lot that night.

We were released back to the hotel were we rested more. I forgot to mention we had a nut visit the first day at the hotel and a second one when we returned to the hotel. Two of us slept in and the other two when to the spa. Dr. A is top notch. I not for once felt uncomfortable or out of place. I will be returning for plastics when Dr. A new hospital opens up. It will be a combo unit: hospital, hotel, dental and plastic all under the same roof. I am truly amazed with how I feel for having surgery yesterday. You will have a better out come if you follow the pre-op to a T. I am finally on the losers bench. If you want to know more about Dr. Alvarez check out Endobariatric.com. I would tell you about the hospital but there is no point, they will be moving to the new facility soon. I love that you are truly treated like family.

Thanks. I was looking at them, although they cost more.