Arrested Development - Ex-Pats Mexico

May Hound-dog recover well, from his recent emergency surgery in San Cristobol on New Year's Eve.


http://www.chapala.com/wwwboard/webboard.html

Health Care Lakeside: Want to Share?, Thanks to all those who have shared already!

I saw no mention on the Chapala board. Sure wish him well and like to hear how he is doing

It was a post by Bridigette somewhat buired.

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My husband and I just had an interestingin San Cristobal de las Casas , Chiapas: he had to have emergency surgery on New Year´s eve and we are now very aware of the plus and minuses of medical services in Ajjic versus Chiapas.

We found well qualified doctorshere: neuro surgeon, cardiologists, gastroenterologist. A visit at the neurosurgeon cost 500 pesos , internist 100 pesos, cardiologist 450 pesos including electrocardiogram and 400 pesos for other specialists.

They were all of few blocks from our house so we could walk or take a 180 peso cak ride. The lab test were reasonable as well.

Bob stayed at two different hospitals.

The first one run by nuns: extremely clean with good nurses was 700 pesos a day very plain but pleasant the second hospital more fancy with tv and some heat and a place to have surgery, I think the cost for the day with nurses 1500 pesos a day. Lousy service from the nurses and you have to have a person who is there all the time.

We had the choice to have the surgery in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Guadalajara or San Cristobal and we picked San Cristobal as we knew the doctors and did not want to get on a plane and spend 4 hours to get to the hospital.

Our fear of lack of medical services in Chiapas are over and we feel that we got great care from the doctors down nere and did not feel like an oportunity to make extra bucks like we do with most places in Ajijic. We were the only foreigners, the other patients were indigenous and mestizos and we did not feel like we overpaid for anything.

The town is small and all the doctors know each other and all the services rendered are very personal.

On the other hand I would not go through the same exercise if I did not speak Spanish. Only the neuro surgeon spoke English all the other doctors only spoke Spansih and same thing with the nurses.

Our insurrance agent from AXA Jesus Tejeda was fabulous and got all the forms via e-mail to the doctors and spoke to the hospital. He was great and we still highly recommend him.

This experience tought us one thing, learning how to speak Spanish is the most important thing you can do when living in Mexico if you want to be well taken care of.

Hound Dog: Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
We love ya!

Bob: I hope you are doing well. Can't you find a better way to celebrate New Years? I was hoping that someday you would get tired of Mexico and return to those heathens in Bama. Lord know they certainly need the help. Cheer up and heal fast. EEK!

Bob, everyone in our house is hoping for a full and speedy recovery too.

Rex

Tough break HD - but you are lucky it happened while you are young enough to overcome.

You are a man of wisdom and experience, and you probably know this - one of the advantages of living in Mexico is that in home health care is affordable. This does not have to be a nurse, just someone who has some experience, and most importantly has the aptitude and attitude for the job. The person would visit as often as you like, under direction of the doctor(s), and you are developing a good liason for and future medical issues. I haven't checked for some time, but a full time, live in medical helper (which you hopefully will never need) would cost about $600 per month.

Thank you all for your good wishes!
Bob should come home today so everything is fine. The doctors were great, the hospital not so good but the doctors are the most important. Down here the family has to take care of the patient or at least supervise the nurses 24 hours a day.
The bad part was being in the hospital and having surgery over New Year when no one is around.

Our Insurrance agent Jesus Tejeda was fabulous: a couple of days ago the surgeon told us he may have to do a second operation as the analysis were bad: Jesus called his company and told us he had arranged to fly us out to whichever hospital in the country we may need to go. The doctors from AXA(ING) contacted our doctor to discuss the situation. Once again Jesus was great. Just cannot say enough about his service over New Year

Brigitte

Bob ~ Sorry to hear of the unexpected surgery and the possible need for another. Hope not, but glad your experience had a successful outcome. We hope for your speedy recovery, and may it be as gentle to you as possible. Lizzy and Bob

PS Brigitte ~ Good luck to you, and I know you will take excellent care of your fella for as long as it takes to get him up and running and back to his irascible self. L

Brigitte, if we can do anything at all please let us know. If another surgery is necessary, perhaps a bigger medical center would be good? Lots of love and healing thoughts towards Bob these last few days, call if you need anything.

Hugs, Mimi and Jonna