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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 14, 2012 19:21:34 GMT -5
Hi all,
This has been rattling around in my brain for a couple of days now so I thought I would just throw it to the board and get some insight.
For those that don't know, I'm in the process of trying to have surgery with Dr. Ungson in Mexico. One of the other Dr.s I had contacted in the beginning was Dr. Stewart's in North Texas.
Dr. Stewart's office called me back but got my voicemail and I forgot to call them back since I was leaning towards Ungson and all.
Well, Stewart's office called again and I spoke to them. I informed them that because I was self pay I am looking at going out of the country. They told me to be careful and pick a good surgeon. I replied with my choice was Dr. Ungson.
That's when they told me, " Well, just so you know, there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico."
I don't doubt there are crappy surgeons in Mexico but for someone who has never been there for any surgery this did creep me out.
Can anyone clarify the 1/3 complication rate? Where is he getting these stats from???
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2012 19:30:51 GMT -5
Hi all, This has been rattling around in my brain for a couple of days now so I thought I would just throw it to the board and get some insight. For those that don't know, I'm in the process of trying to have surgery with Dr. Ungson in Mexico. One of the other Dr.s I had contacted in the beginning was Dr. Stewart's in North Texas. Dr. Stewart's office called me back but got my voicemail and I forgot to call them back since I was leaning towards Ungson and all. Well, Stewart's office called again and I spoke to them. I informed them that because I was self pay I am looking at going out of the country. They told me to be careful and pick a good surgeon. I replied with my choice was Dr. Ungson. That's when they told me, " Well, just so you know, there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico."I don't doubt there are crappy surgeons in Mexico but for someone who has never been there for any surgery this did creep me out. Can anyone clarify the 1/3 complication rate? Where is he getting these stats from??? I don't doubt that there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico but I doubt VERY seriously that there is 1/3 coming out of Dr. Ungson's care. Email Dr. U and ask him his complication rate for DS. I didn't end up going to him because at the time of my surgery he had only done 6 revisions and was very honest with me about that. Dr. Ungson is the only surgeon in Mexico that I would recommend for a DS. period. He has a good reputation and is very honest. He proctored with Dr. Balthasar in Spain (hence the horizontal incision he uses). Dr. Balthasar (sp) is a world-class DS surgeon. |
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Post by Paula on Jan 14, 2012 19:42:12 GMT -5
Yeah, that was the impression I got from what you said as well. There probably is a 1/3 complication rate of people who had surgery down in MX, but Im sure there are a number of "surgeons" (quotes intentional) doing the surgery down there. Its the type of thing that gives going down to Mexico for surgery a bad name. I personally feel that Dr. U isnt in that category of surgeon. If I had to go out of country for surgery, Id go to him.
With the reputation and training that Dr. U has, Id be willing to bet his complication rate is about on par with the other big names in DS surgery here in the US.
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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 14, 2012 19:49:22 GMT -5
That's what I was thinking but I guess I needed to hear from you all. I'm sure with the crappy surgeons down there that it would make the complication rate go up.
I still have yet to hear anything bad about Dr. U and this is why I am still planning on going with him once I can procure the funds.
Thanks for your feedback, gals.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2012 20:24:26 GMT -5
Well, Stewart's office called again and I spoke to them. I informed them that because I was self pay I am looking at going out of the country. They told me to be careful and pick a good surgeon. I replied with my choice was Dr. Ungson. That's when they told me, " Well, just so you know, there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico."The person who called you back probably didn't know Ungson from Huacuz from a hole in the wall. The 1/3 stats may be true for Mexican surgeons in general, or it may not be - but I would bet beaucoup bux it's not true of Ungson. Besides which, what is a complication? Nausea? MRSA? A leak? Death? That number and that word - "complications" - is meaningless out of context. Don't worry about it. |
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INsupport
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Post by INsupport on Jan 14, 2012 20:33:10 GMT -5
I'd be tempted to contact them and let them know that it's ok. You paid extra to have the operating table scrubbed after the chickens get shoo'd off it.
My wife had a VSG in Mexico and it was an eye opening experience, to be certain. I was impressed.
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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 14, 2012 21:59:37 GMT -5
Thank you Diana. LMAO @ insupport! That's right, and I saved a little extra $ by rooming with a goat but I am sure things will be fine. Ta hee!
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INsupport
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Post by INsupport on Jan 14, 2012 22:07:52 GMT -5
My wife had a VSG at Almater Hospital with Aceves. I can't look at US healthcare the same after that experience. I will say that using a laptop and babelfish translator to communicate with the medical team that was not well versed in english helped out a great deal. Good Luck!
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INsupport
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Post by INsupport on Jan 14, 2012 22:14:57 GMT -5
My wife had a VSG at Almater Hospital with Aceves. I can't look at US healthcare the same after that experience. I will say that using a laptop and babelfish translator to communicate with the medical team that was not well versed in english helped out a great deal. Good Luck!
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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 14, 2012 22:31:38 GMT -5
Good tip for the translation. I'm going to have to add that to my info. file.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2012 21:28:27 GMT -5
That's a generalized Mexico statement. Dr. Ungson has a wonderful reputation.
I think you can also read into that statement, "Don't come to us if you have a complication and expect us to fix it for a discounted price."
Oh, the horror stories. . .
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Post by Dudette on Jan 21, 2012 14:41:28 GMT -5
1/3 complication rate for the DS in Mexico? Really? I would have insisted that they cite their source. Bet they can't. After all, 85% of all statistics are made up on the spot. I don't know if I would trust a medical practice that makes up its own statistics. Just sayin'.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2012 15:40:16 GMT -5
1/3 complication rate for the DS in Mexico? Really? I would have insisted that they cite their source. Bet they can't. After all, 85% of all statistics are made up on the spot. I don't know if I would trust a medical practice that makes up its own statistics. Just sayin'. Cite YOUR statistics proving their assertion to be false. Remember, there are butchers aplenty. Furthermore, how do you know they were referring ONLY to the DS? Did you overhear their side of the phone call? |
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Post by Dudette on Jan 21, 2012 16:08:46 GMT -5
1/3 complication rate for the DS in Mexico? Really? I would have insisted that they cite their source. Bet they can't. After all, 85% of all statistics are made up on the spot. I don't know if I would trust a medical practice that makes up its own statistics. Just sayin'. Cite YOUR statistics proving their assertion to be false. Remember, there are butchers aplenty. Furthermore, how do you know they were referring ONLY to the DS? Did you overhear their side of the phone call? Hey EN! I was being facetious. I guess I should have put a winky guy in there.  Like Lisalou said, I also don't doubt that there are crappy surgeons aplenty in Mexico. I guess my point was that they could have countered Lisa's concerns about cost with something MORE than "...there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico." That response just seemed like sour grapes because she indicated she was planning to go elsewhere. Instead they should have tried to explain why their services are superior. Example: "Yes, we may cost 20% more, but we provide you X, Y and Z. That's why we're a better value." Anyway... just like Lisalou, I am curious about those stats too. Are they genuine? What are they based on? Where did they get them? Just wondering. |
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Post by Fade2Pink on Jan 21, 2012 16:29:48 GMT -5
Most of the folks who have posted here and OvertHere have had only good to say about the care they receive from Dr Ungson, the hospital and the staff.
We do have a local gal who went to him and received a DS, she did well while in Mexico, but when she got home it was found she had a leak and she had to be hospitalized, and a local DS surgeon took her case on (Dr. Simper). Not to scare you away from him, at all. Just know that all surgeons can have patients with complications. As a matter of fact, Dr. Simper has two of our gals with them at this time, as well (Dani and Lisa).
I think these are good questions to ask, but i would say that the 1/3 complication rate they quoted is too vague and likely they don't know Ungson or his stats.
Just a question though, how much less is Ungson than Stewart for self pay
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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 21, 2012 16:37:59 GMT -5
I've studied statistics in college. They can be askew and overgeneralizing. Formal scientific studies with long-term findings are the most accurate source of information. Yeah, there may not be any of those on Mexico available right now.
To me, the next best thing is to go to the horse's mouth and speak to DS surgeons that had their procedures done in Mexico. The more they share their experiences, the clearer a picture will form about what is ok and not ok. Trial and error, if you will.
Yes, we're all kind of still in the pioneer stage right now. DS isn't widely accepted or known yet so we find information out carefully and with much thought. At least, that's how I see it.
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Post by lisalou79 on Jan 21, 2012 16:40:24 GMT -5
Rounded, Stewart is roughly $23000 for lap DS, Ungson is $14,000 for open DS and $16,000 for lap.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2012 20:07:58 GMT -5
Hey EN! I was being facetious. I guess I should have put a winky guy in there. Like Lisalou said, I also don't doubt that there are crappy surgeons aplenty in Mexico. I guess my point was that they could have countered Lisa's concerns about cost with something MORE than "...there is a 1/3 complication rate coming out of Mexico." That response just seemed like sour grapes because she indicated she was planning to go elsewhere. Instead they should have tried to explain why their services are superior. Example: "Yes, we may cost 20% more, but we provide you X, Y and Z. That's why we're a better value." Anyway... just like Lisalou, I am curious about those stats too. Are they genuine? What are they based on? Where did they get them? Just wondering. Oh okay. Yeah, the winky makes it sound very different  . |
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Post by rhiannon on Jan 24, 2012 13:44:31 GMT -5
Most of Ungson's team speak perfectly good english, and your not getting just Ungson, your getting a team of 3-4 other Dr's in the operating room with him. They also all come around and see you every day in the hospital. The hospital is spotless, everything smells like bleach, even the water is highly clorinated. Its cleaner than many American hospitals I've been in, and the care is exceptional. Not all the nurses speak english, but there's always at least one available who does. I was a lapband revision, with a 10 year old lapband embedded in my body. They had to leave a small metal tube from the lapband behind because it was too well anchored and they didn't want to cut it out. I've had no complications, knock on wood, I'm nearly 11 months out. While I do not doubt that the complication rate coming out of Mexico could be that high I would not assume that included Ungson. Personally I feel that the experience of the surgeon and the excellance of care one receives does not directly relate to geographic location. I've heard of lots of people having serious complications with American surgeons as well.
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Post by bldeck on Jan 24, 2012 15:51:46 GMT -5
To be honest, though I love Dr Stewart, his office staff just seems to general in training. You would think a specialist in Bariatrics (doing all surgeries) should have a better informed staff, but who am I to say.
Betty
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Post by bb212 on Jan 24, 2012 16:23:46 GMT -5
Yeah I don't think the staffer knew who Dr. U was, so I think it was just a general warning about other unqualified mexican doctors botching things- it does happen.
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Post by Girlrocker on Jan 24, 2012 16:52:29 GMT -5
You've gotten good info here already, I just wanted to add my two cents and say, not only did the person not have any knowledge about Dr. Ungson, that was a pretty racist and unprofessional comment to make. Living in California, I know countless people who have had surgeries in Mexico, including plastics. The language/culture is absolutely something to be prepared for when having surgery out of the country, but the reality is, the US is not superior in all, thanks to a lousy insurance system that makes healthcare a privilege instead of a right, and puts people through horrible pain and stress to seek needed medical care and procedures.
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Post by bb212 on Jan 24, 2012 22:47:38 GMT -5
I wouldn't be so quick to call it racist. There's a lot of chop docs who operate outside of the US, too, not just the good ones. I think it was more a case of the person on the phone not knowing that Dr. U was one of the good guys, and just offering a general warning to be careful picking a doc in Mexico.
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Like Lisalou said, I also don't doubt that there are crappy surgeons aplenty in Mexico. 
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