How to Select a Surgeon in Mexico – Questions To Ask
Does he/she use a JCI accredited facility?
Many surgeons use same day surgery centers or own small surgery centers to keep costs down. While they may be fully equipped as a same day surgery center – they don’t have an ICU, cardiologist or other safety measures a full hospital does. You should always choose facilities equal to or better than you use in your home location and as a bariatric patient – you should insist on a full service hospital.
Does your surgeon have experience?
Don’t rely simply on the internet and numbers the representatives give you, call the hospital he works at, check with universities in his/her city – are they actively teaching?
Does your surgeon supply you with your surgical report, copies of all x-rays, blood labs?
Some do and some don’t, insist on taking your records with you!
If you are a Lapband patient – are you given the post-op x-ray picture of band placement for your files?
Make sure you keep this in a safe place for future reference. Make copies of your surgical report and give one to your PCP and always take a copy with you whenever you go for an adjustment – but leave your original at home in a safe place.
If you are a Sleeve Gastrectomy patient – were 3 leak tests performed on you? One test in the OR – checking for leaks with air, another test in the OR before they close using methylene blue and a third post operatively using gastrografin contrast medium.
If you are a RNY patient – does your doctor use a drain to prevent any fluid buildup?
Be wary of doctors that insist no drain is needed and you can go home 3 days postoperatively.
How is pain managed?
Ask prior to your procedure and let your surgeon know if you have a low pain threshold!
Can you book your surgery directly with your doctor and not use a third party brokerage house representing many doctors in many countries?
Medical tourism is a popular coined phrase for people going outside of their country of residence for medical procedures. Companies have sprouted up as a result, many of these companies offer many doctors in several countries. The person you deal with on the phone is a broker and is simply referring you to the most likely doctor you will book with, not necessarily one with the most experience for your particular health issues.
Does the surgeon have a qualified dietician to explain how you should be eating post operatively?
Are the phones answered by US citizens speaking English without difficult or thick accents?
You will be required to walk frequently postoperatively – does your surgeon use a hotel in an area of the city that is safe and has easy access to walking paths or walking areas?
You will be on a liquid diet, does your surgeon use a hotel with microwaves and fridges in every room for patients to keep juice cool and be able to warm broths any time day or night?
Be wary of support boards – many of the boards are filled with ‘plants’ brokers working for various doctors influencing people for or against particular doctors. Be very suspicious if you receive emails stating Dr. So & So does this – if that person hasn’t been to that doctor – then they shouldn’t be offering an opinion on facilities they have never visited or doctors they haven’t actually met. Occasionally these boards have overzealous posters who are not mentally balanced and will do anything to smear a particular doctor’s reputation. The internet is a big place – be careful.
Be wary of practices that hand you lists of testimonials – these maybe paid testimonies!
There are many good and safe surgeons south of the border – don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your research!
