I had my surgery with Dr Pompa on January 2nd, 2013. I paid $6500 for the whole package. Airfare was additional. I took my mother with me- she was very nervous that I was going to Mexico for the surgery, but I felt confident as I had really done my research- looking at surgery outcomes, surgeries per week, which surgeries, surgery time, recovery time, training, fellowships, etc.
So, my experience with Dr Pompa and LIMARP was beyond my best expectations. Here is why- she has a private hospital with 6 rooms, state of the art surgery and support equipment, soothing environment, but (and here is where she is different from other doctors) she has a MD on site, in the hospital 24/7. MDs, nurses and support staff are there during the day, but at night, the MD was the one changing my IV, giving me meds, emptying my cath bag, etc. The whole staff felt like a cohesive family, everyone spoke english, and just could not do enough for my comfort. This is the kind of care you can only dream about in the US or a larger hospital. When they told me on Day 2 that by Day 4 I would be bored out of my mind and want to go shopping, my mother and I looked at them like they were crazy. I was barely walking to the toilet! Embarassed to admit it but by Day 4, that is exactly what I did and walked around the open air mall for 2 hours with no problem.
Another plus was that her commercial building is linked to a very nice hotel so my mom stayed in the hotel at night instead of a recliner in my room and then when I transferred on day 3, I just rode the elevator and walked to the lobby in my bathrobe. (by the way- night gown was easier than PJs and a robe was important). Tthe hotel staff were so nice that they did not bat an eye when I walked into the restaurant in my bathrobe and politely seated us. When it was time to order, the waiter immediately offered me clear broth and Jello. They also keep this on the room service menu if you don't want to go out. My mother had a "regular" morning waiter who kept his eye out for her and checked in with her.
Finally, my mother was so impressed with the facility, she interviewed the plastic surgeon and has plans to go back next year for a face lift and take my sister for a breast lift. I am hoping that I will be ready for a Tummy Tuck by then.
Well, I didn't let myself think that I couldn't do it. Not doing it wasn't an option, as far as I was concerned. I know people who didn't even do the pre op diet, and went out to Red Lobster the night before surgery. Needless to say, these people have not done too well with the surgery, because they obviously weren't prepared mentally to do the things they needed to do to make it work.
