Dr. Kelly?

[KeepingMySoul 5]

I was there at the same time as the large group, and I did not get the same experience as others have talked about on this forum. I had different expectations and was disappointed with my experience. Ultimately, my surgery went smoothly which was the most important part.

There seemed to be no coordination, and it was very unorganized. My opinion is that the large group monopolized much of the resources available for the patients.

My friend and I managed to accommodate ourselves, but we did not get any meals away from the hospital or hotel area or any shopping trips.

I met Sunny and her husband. She did stay an extra two days, and I believe it was due to an allergic reaction. I could tell she was bothered that her experience wasn't what she expected either. She is a super sweet girl, and we both have every right to be put off by what was going on.

Ultimately, if you want individual attention, book on a week that isn't so busy.

[StrangelyNormal 182]

"run into the ground"and "running himself to death"over another family is worded much more harshly than "monopolizing resources". I can see why she got offended.

[MGM 140]

I haven't had surgery yet, and am going alone. I think I would be slightly put out as well if I was being ignored while they (Omar or Cecy) are taking care of other patients family members. People need to bear in mind not all of us have a support system. If I am feeling like I, the paying patient, am being overlooked because of other people's support system, I hope I have the balls to tell him or Dr. Kelly that. If they are wanting to be a tour guide for additional family members going, then they need to hire more help to do so.

[StrangelyNormal 182]

I concur. my patient director knows I have 2 others coming with me and are staffed accordingly. The only reason i'm bringing a second is so my support person isn't in a foreign country alone and bored if i'm too out of it

[MGM 140]

Getting back on course, I hope you hear from him, and get all your questions answered accordingly. Ultimately, he either will or won't be the doctor for YOU. Personally, I think the things said previously on here would make me question my decision if it wasn't for the fact that I already HAVE decided (and feel comfortable with my decision). Ultimately, this IS MAJOR SURGERY AND NOT A VACATION, so my expectations are not on sightseeing and shopping. My expectations are on excellent medical care, healing, and ME. So for those reasons, I am very comfortable!

Again, Benin, good luck...and sorry for the cat fights! Lol

[WLJourneyJ 89]

I'm leaving Tuesday. And going solo. And I'd be very upset if I ( paying patient) wasn't attended to as well as I could have been during recovery because others there ( non patients) were wanting resources. I think it was poor judgement of the patient with the enterouge and probably Omar's desire to make everyone happy ( and inability to say no) that was the problem .

[cissiesue 119]

I haven't had surgery yet' date=' and am going alone. I think I would be slightly put out as well if I was being ignored while they (Omar or Cecy) are taking care of other patients family members. People need to bear in mind not all of us have a support system. If I am feeling like I, the paying patient, am being overlooked because of other people's support system, I hope I have the balls to tell him or Dr. Kelly that. If they are wanting to be a tour guide for additional family members going, then they need to hire more help to do so.[/quote']

What some of you may or may not know, is Dr Kelly is still recovering from major coordinator bashing, so he (and Omar) are reluctant to tell people no. if extra family is coming, it shouldnt have any bearing on the Dr or his assistant. It should be up to the people coming to take care of themselves! The package accomodates one extra, and acting as a tour guide isnt part of the deal for the extras people bring. Omar is very kind and accommodating, and sometimes its to a fault, he is only human lol. The way I thought if it was, this is not a mini vacation, this is a life saving/changing procedure, and if I had nothing more than the surgery, aftercare, and hotel stay I would still have received more than my moneys worth. I wouldnt worry about my support person being bored, its not about them, theres a tv, books and games they can play to krrp them occupied; and if that's an issue for anyone, then leave them home or have them get a hotel at their own expense. and this isnt directed towards you directly, you will have a great surgery, and isnt that what this whole deal is about? End of rant

[MGM 140]

What some of you may or may not know' date=' is Dr Kelly is still recovering from major coordinator bashing, so he (and Omar) are reluctant to tell people no. if extra family is coming, it shouldnt have any bearing on the Dr or his assistant. It should be up to the people coming to take care of themselves! The package accomodates one extra, and acting as a tour guide isnt part of the deal for the extras people bring. Omar is very kind and accommodating, and sometimes its to a fault, he is only human lol. The way I thought if it was, this is not a mini vacation, this is a life saving/changing procedure, and if I had nothing more than the surgery, aftercare, and hotel stay I would still have received more than my moneys worth. I wouldnt worry about my support person being bored, its not about them, theres a tv, books and games they can play to krrp them occupied; and if that's an issue for anyone, then leave them home or have them get a hotel at their own expense. and this isnt directed towards you directly, you will have a great surgery, and isnt that what this whole deal is about? End of rant[/quote']

I hope it wasn't directed at me, cause I'm going alone and I just said its NOT a vacation (lol).

[Finding Myself 146]

I've told people repeatedly on here.... don't get pulled into the thought process of this being anything BUT major surgery. Do not worry about coordinators, family members, or whatever.... worry about Dr. Kelly. He is ultimately the only one who matters. I can promise you all... as they were wheeling me down the hallway to the OR, all I cared about were the people in that surgical suite.

I concur with Cissie, and while not everyone is going to have a super stellar experience, at least see how you recover first... because that ultimately is all that DOES matter. 9 of us were there in the same week and we are all just doing so well. No skin infections, no complications, etc. THAT IS WHAT MATTERS.

Bringing a lot of family members is great for you, and a good support system - but yes I'd rec. they stay at the hotel and rent a car. It CAN be a mini vacation for them, but it won't be for you. My husband was with me the whole time, except for when he'd walk out of the hospital to go get some good food! We really didn't want Omar focusing on anyone but ME.

I don't think anybody should be bashed, or whatever, and I think all patients should care ONLY about the quality of the medicine. Nothing else really matters.

[MGM 140]

As what I said, FindingMyself!!!

[StrangelyNormal 182]

I'm sure it was directed at me but I certainly dgaf. What sunny said could have been worded differently. Period. It was blameful. All that needed to be said is that Omar had his hands full with so many people. Simply enough. It hurt that lady's feelings to the point she deleted her post. As for the people i'm bringing, they will be entertaining themselves BC this trip is about ME and my surgery. They will be a great help if I need it while i'm at the hotel. I am staying longer BC after my surgery I am going to have an eye exam for lasik procedure. I explicitly requested a date where my surgeon and staff aren't overly booked

[Finding Myself 146]

KeepingMySoul, have you talked to Dr. Kelly or Omar and given this feedback? Please do. They are running such a small family business and feedback, good or bad, helps them make improvements. If they need to hire someone else, then they need to know that...

[Shape_Shifter 83]

i just joined in and i didn't see the post before it was deleted. however, i tried contacting omar last week but the website kept telling me i was missing information (even though i thoroughly checked). Finally, after the 2nd day of trying i called. Omar answered directly immediately, answered my brief questions and emailed me a full package.

Any business can have a problem deciding when to say no to keep their clients happy. Hopefully it doesn't come at Omar's expense.

i agree with the poster that said if you are brigning extra people they need to know not to ask or take advantage of a situation. i hear alot of excellent things about Omar and hopefully he will learn to say know or to just give the "guests" directions and a pat on the back for them to enjoy themselves so he can focus on the patient. They CERTAINLY wouldn't get that kind of nice service in the states, nor would they expect to! We cant even get a housecall in an emergency let alone someone to take our entourage shopping, gambiling, etc.

Here's hoping Omar finds his balance. I will be sure that my support doesn't abuse him either. lol

Maybe treat such a nice man to dinner and a beer would be a great idea.

[Shape_Shifter 83]

KeepingMySoul, have you talked to Dr. Kelly or Omar and given this feedback? Please do. They are running such a small family business and feedback, good or bad, helps them make improvements. If they need to hire someone else, then they need to know that...

Maybe if the area is questionable in safety and that's why they are running so much they just need to have a couple of safe taxi drivers that they can call to take care of the extra guests at the guests own expense. My former boss had this done for her in several countries. Nothing expensive but made sure she was in safer areas, got to do what she wanted and didn't have to worry about the next person picking her up.

[Benin 2]

I appreciate all of you writing about your experiences.

I only plan on taking 1 person with me, and he is there to support me after surgery. This is whether I stay in state or go to Mexico.

All I really care about is a skilled surgeon who has a record of minimal complications/deaths. And then, of course, communication.

I still haven't had a reply from them so I'm probably not going to keep begging for information. It isn't like they didn't get my email. They did. I got a reply saying I'd receive more info, but that was clearly a while ago now. Oh well. If it isn't meant to be, then you'll know. That's my mantra.