I'm thinking Dr. Sauceda....

There are always stories of crime in Monterrey, someone always knows someone who was victimized. There are over 4 million people in that city. Name any US city that size that doesn't have areas that are bad news. I live in Green Bay pop. 125,000 and I know people who have been robbed, raped, or had car stolen. Crime can happen anywhere. I would have no doubt that some parts of Monterrey are totally a NO-GO. The Hampton Inn that I stayed at had 2 security guards all the time, and there were people from all over the world staying there. Starbucks, Applebees,McDonalds,and Radio Shack within 100yds - sounds like a terrible hellhole doesn't it? I heard arguments from my family about how unsafe Mexico is - gang warfare and such. I did lots of research and showed them pics others had taken (mountains right outside hotel) and they realized I wasn't going to the ghetto. Just wanted to throw some arguments out for Monterrey. By the way after going there I have a totally different view of Mexicans - I didn't meet a single person who wasn't friendly and hard working. The scariest part for me was MY lack of spanish skills - that was overcome by a laptop translator. If you have ANY questions feel free to ask. Sorry for my rant.

Please continue to rant away.  I woke up in the night stressing over these exact decisions.  I think I was dreaming about it.  I've been to Bolivia and Peru where armed guards - weapons drawn, are in the banks and other public places.  I never felt any more unsafe then places here in the city where I live.

This decision is being very difficult for me.  I need all the success stories and can read. Thanks for sharing your experience.

GO PACKERS!

Your not ranting Mr. Fedex!  Just giving lots of more information.  That's all one can do & make a decision for themselves.  This worked out for me in Houston, had it not, I WOULD have gone to see Dr. Sauceda.  My concern was also w/the breast implants also, he wouldn't even hardly talk to me re: under the muscle & that concerned me, but I ALSO trusted he had done enough cases & knew what was best.  After all has now been said............my surgeon is going to place my implants also over the muscle, because my chest muscle they say is too high to place it under!  So...........go figure!  I've also heard he likes to make the "girls" really big!!!, so be careful & adamant about what you want for a final size in that regard!  I still wish I would have had his anesthesia techniques instead of the general anesthesia used here.  It just wipes me out for days & makes me terrible!

So, just saying, there are pro's & con's.  One can only afford what they can afford, which was my case, in Houston or Mexico.  For me being diabetic, having all that done at one time would have been just too much for me!  You just have to go where each & everyone one of us feels most comfortable.  I haven't heard of any Dr. being more caring & checking more often on his patients that what I've heard Dr. S does, that also says alot about a person.

Again, I WAS going to Dr. S & had a date already....for me Houston just provided the same costs, but 2 surgeries, which in my case probably worked out better w/the diabetes.

Thanks for posting more of your thought process.   I like the idea of the twilight sleep for surgery.

I'm not getting implants.  Still plenty of my own, just need a lift.  I think if I wanted implants, I would do it later once things were healed and I would do it locally in case of problems with them.

Honestly Twilight is the cat's meow.. oh my.  I've had 4 general surgeries, woke up feeling stupid, not remembering things.  Twilight, as if from a nap.  I swear.   He uses good drugs, so pain isn't awful.  I walked a two mile cave with some Americans one week after surgery.  Half way in I didn't want to see any 'up' going stairs every again, but I did it.
If you are that worried about safety, there really isn't a reason for you to leave the hotel.   They have a very nice breakfast, and you can ask for a fridge and just grab yogurt and fruit for lunch.  They also have a microwave in the eating area.   There is security like the above poster said, you will always see them around.  Very nice guys.   Friendly and polite.  Dr. S's driver will pick you up at the airport with a sign with your name on it.  He will take your baggage and take you back to the hotel.  Dr. S will pick you up a few hours later and do your consult.  And then he'll return you.  The next morning he'll pick you up for surgery and he'll return you to the hotel when you are ready to leave.   There is a McDonald's right beside the hotel.  I don't drink pop so would get it and give it to the security guys.   I always felt safe.  The only time I went out in the evening was with some Americans to applebees.    Applebees does deliver to the hotel. There is also a lovely Italian place too between McDonald's and applebees.  But honestly, if you need nothing, you could virtually stay at the hotel the whole time.  I know you won't feel that way.  The only time I saw guns was some military at the airport.  And I think they were moving money at the HEB, just like here when they move money.   I felt like I was in Ottawa, very business like area.  There were some areas when we went to the caves that was much scarier, also some on the way to and from the airport.  I just wanted to let you know, I went alone, and was safe.  No reason for me to fear at all.  I love Dr. S.. I love that he loves his work and looks after his patients.   I would go back in a heart beat and do recommend him, his work and safety.
Feel free to contact me. 

Bonnie

Hi Bonnie,
Thank you so much for this post.  When were you there?  What procedures did you have done at one time?  How was your recovery period?  When did you go back to work (if you did) and what type of job?  I have a desk job, lots of computer work along with phones.

I would like to add you as a friend if that's ok with you please.  :)

I was there the end of July '10.   I had a neck lift, breast lift with implants and a very large anchor cut.  5 feet of incisions.  I am so glad to have had it all at once.  Recovery was a bit difficult.  One drain remained in for 5 1/2 weeks and I popped a seroma at the bottom of the T.  Dr. S said to pull that drain as the fluid would come out the seroma hole.  Instead it was a pin hole, and the fluid filled all the incision lines.  I had almost a litre of fluid.   Dr. S flew me back at his expense and fixed me up by cutting out the seroma hole, filling me with iodine , and installed a new drain.  He then infused me again with iodine and the sent me home after 8 days.  The drain lasted two or two and a half weeks that time.   He checked on me daily once home.  This is why I love him.  He doesn't do this to pad his bank account, he does this because he cares.  He also changed the list of procedures he was going to do on me when I first arrived because he felt what he had quoted me by email photos wouldn't work for me, and actually did more work at the same cost.  He wanted it to look right. 
I worked at an animal shelter doing very heavy lifting and working with the dogs.  I went back to work about four months later because of the complication above, and went back on the easier job of cats.  Another month went by and I was back lifting and on dogs.   I also have a farm and I was not able to participate on anything here until maybe November or December.   Desk job should be much easier. 

Bonnie