Hi all,

I am trying to decide on a surgeon and I found one that seems very competent, has good reviews, and is in my price range. The problem is he has a video up of him doing a surgery and his nose is not covered by his mask. No one in the operating room has their nose covered actually. Should this be a deal breaker? Or is it not that big of a deal? I checked several other videos and most surgeons have both mouth and nose covered even if wearing eye glasses. I did see one or two where someone other than the surgeon didn't have their nose covered.

In addition - I think I saw the first one (nose not covered) open a package of something - maybe a bandage - while wearing his gloves. Would that be an issue? I doubt the package would be sterilized on the outside like instruments are so....? What do you all think?

Hi,

Thank you for the tips - What is Hibiclens -and just curious but how does applying it the night before help? Won't the body just get recontaminated from the sheets and stuff while you sleep? I have never heard of Hibiclens before.

What are nares? (I can google it)

By the way, I didn't mean the articles specifically for you because I know you already knew the info lol.

I made a thread with a bunch of videos of various surgeons in Mexico doing the sleeve. Check it out and tell me what you think of them if you have time. I would love your feedback.

Rodriguez is a bit pricey for me.How much did he charge you extra for being a revision? Usually it is 500, I think. That does bring him down into my second option range of 6,500. However, I still am hoping to find a surgeon in the 4,500 range that 'ticks the boxes' as someone in another thread said.

If nothing else, hopefully this thread will make people more aware of the issue and demand excellent sterile techniques from whichever doctor they choose regardless where that doctor is located.

In the case of Mexico, if the coordinators realize that people are paying attention to this, they will give that feedback to the doctors who will be forced to improve.

Hopefully, they won't just make a video of themselves with better techniques but not practice it in reality. Not to be an a## but I think everyone should ask for a video of the operating procedure both inside the body, and outside in the larger room. Since it is so difficult to sue in Mexico - the only thing keeping doctors from cutting corners etc. is word of mouth and video evidence. They will know people can put the video on youtube where anyone can see what's up. That way surgeons are held accountable.

The smart and business minded doctor would immediately start doing this so as to draw business his/her way since there seems to be an issue. I would be fine paying an extra 50 to have video of the entire room. It costs very little to set up a few cameras and hook them to a laptop.

Edited May 27, 201412 yr by Travelmego

Travelmego,

Hibiclens is an antiseptic/antimicrobial skin cleanser, that is used pre operatively to decrease the risk of infection that may be caused by pathogens that live on our skin. This is done to prepare the skin and make it as germ free as possible. Yes, it is true your skin picks up "germs" on things it touches, however, this will minimize them. When using Hibiclens, don't use soap, there is no need for both, and don't scrub too hard this could cause tiny openings in your skin.... Just lather, and rinse well. Also, avoid your vaginal area, eyes, nose......

While the nurses are prepping you for surgery they will use a betadine solution and apply it in a such a way that it doesn't contaminate the area. However, the betadine needs to dry before the cut and this doesn't always happen, I believe using Hibiclens pre op gives added protection.

Nares, are your nostrils..................

I know he seems pricey, and he is if compared to Tijuana surgeons. I felt the same way I wanted to stay in your range. I decided to go this pricey route simply because I like the idea you are in the hospital (a real one) for 3 nights, and not pushed out into a hotel room. If anything goes wrong this is the prime time for a complication, and I want to be where the surgeon is...............

Also, they finance, and I do not have good credit, they finance with a legitimate finance company in Texas. All you need is the down payment.

Travelmego,

Sorry, where is your thread ?

Hi,

Protocols and policies are written for all areas of the hospital, which includes, Infection Control departments who follow mostly the CDC recommendations. Then procedures are written for more specific areas, for example, the Association of perioperative (meaning during surgery) Registered Nurses will have very specific procedures and protocols that are followed.

This goes on and on, however, all the policies and procedures that are written are done so to protect the patient. The CDC guidelines are closely followed because it is based on scientific statistics as it relates to infection rates and all the data that surrounds them.

Good luck in your search for information.............

May I ask, how did you know the surgeon's nose was uncovered ? You should have been under anesthesia. If there were ANY sterile packets opened in the OR, then everyone should have had mask over the nose and mouth.

The bottom line is…when in doubt, leave it out. If you don't feel comfortable with a doctor, don't use them. You should always follow your gut. I looked for my doctor for two years. It finally felt right and I went with it. I went to Mexico and had better treatment there than in U.S. I wish you all the luck in the world!

Happy Losing,

Mississippi Girl

Here's link to an interesting article about preventing infection - http://www.rense.com/general78/hosp.htm

In particular, #6 - a pre-surgery MRSA test. Maybe something to ask a PCP about.

I am with Mississippi Girl - if you aren't 100% comfortable, don't use that doctor. Listen to your intution.

I, like you, was going to use a less expensive surgeon. I thought that was the case for six months. At the recommendation of my nutritionist here locally, I came up with the extra money and went with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. As soon as I made the decision to change, I felt so much better and everything felt "right" for lack of a better way to explain. I wanted to use him all along but the price is what stopped me initially. I had a small issue that he was right on top of and fixed so I'm glad I changed my mind.

I understand what you are saying zmdh. I have seen a few articles questioning if masks themselves are necessary.I have seen more articles and protocols stating that the mask must be worn snugly over the face and nose and tied correctly.

My issue is that we hear all the time about infections in USA hospitals. We are told time and again to be diligent. In a hospital I go to regularly there is a sign to ask if people (doctors and nurses) washed their hands - that it is not considered rude. I would be just as concerned with a US surgeon that they have a good reputation, their infection, leak and complication rates are low, and that the hospital maintains sterile practices.

It is a really difficult decision to make and we all want to find the surgeon we feel confident with. Since there are issues with so many of these videos and (what I consider) not properly wearing a mask, I just don't know what to do. I am leaning toward requesting that the doctor and all staff wear the mask with nose covered prior to booking the surgery.

Yes, some might consider it a small thing to focus on but to me it is a glaring big red flag. I need to have it resolved somehow. I really do need to go to Mexico for surgery.

Edited May 30, 201412 yr by Travelmego

I will response more in the morning - so tired now. I like a good discussion and appreciate everyone's input.

I guess it isn't just about the mask for me but what that signifies overall. If a person can't even wear the mask in (what I consider at this time) to be a proper manner, or get their staff to do it - something so basic....then how can I trust their over all sanitation? Gah - it's so hard to figure it out. Throw in Mexican corruption and how can one trust ANYTHING? All we have are posts and videos of people giving feedback. All we have are what coordinators claim. Mind you, I am 99 percent likely to go to Mexico for surgery. However, I am just wrestling with the same issues probably a LOT of people have when considering surgery there.

I am also a nurse and saw the same video. There are certain flora in the nostrils that can become airborne, it's how many cold viruses are passed along, to name a common occurrence. It was sloppy practice in my opinion, not to mention the anesthesiologist in the background on his cell phone, run!

I am a physician and pelvic surgeon. I would NOT have surgery by a doctor who, in the operative suite/room for a sterile procedure, is not wearing a surgical mask.

The face 'shield' protect us from the patient's blood, pus, etc, that can splash up into our faces. Surgical face 'masks'--that yes, are to cover our mouths and nares/nostrils--are to protect you (and the sterile operative field) from airborne contaminants from our mouth and nose.

Imagine the surgeon's sniffles that he can't 'pull back', and a droplet from his/her nose drops onto the surgical field, and/or into you. Nasal sweat droplets that might fall (those OR lights can be hot). Nasal hairs that have normal bacteria, that when he breathes, may float into the OR's air space, etc.

Also, no excuses: The masks have bendable wires built in, to pinch onto our noses so as not to fog our glasses.

The practice of medicine changes, but some things are a must for patient well-being and to maintain the standard of care.

Alex, [for some reason my "ticker" didn't update. I changed my goal weight to 165, not 150].

Edited May 30, 201412 yr by Dr-Patient

Ok, I have wrestled with this issue a lot as you all can see. I am going to go to Mexico as it is my only real option. I have decided that I will simply ask that the doctor and the staff all have their noses covered during the surgery. Of course, I will phrase it in a way that is polite and not insulting (but still firm!). I think they would comply. It is not like it is an unreasonable requirement.

I would ask that all of us looking for surgery in Mexico ask our coordinators if the doctor would be willing to have everyone masked with nose covered. That way the coordinators will know it is an issue for many people and give that feedback to the doctors. Are you all with me?

Sure. If you're confident that in all other areas this surgeon practices the utmost of infection control standards. If you are sure that this is the only major sloppy infection control issue he and his team practice. If you are sure he is comfortable with performing a life threatening ( sorry but all surgery is) procedure on you, dawning his mask over his nose as he is likely not comfortable and accustomed to doing. Also ask him to keep the surgical area sterile with no cardboard boxes in the corners. Ask him to please pull his gloves over his gown, and have someone else help him do this, so that he stays sterile. Take his entire surgical team some shoe covers too. Ask him not please not let the janitor come in the surgery room to start cleaning before the surgery is over too.

What type of stapling device does this doctor use? What brand? have you researched it? Is it one that is used in the USA, or is it from a company that has been recalled because of misfires during stapling? Is it preloaded and sterile for each patient? Are they titanium staples? A pre packaged filled staple gun using titanium staples for one procedure cost 2k. each patient uses 2 preloaded staple guns. If your surgeon is charging you 4500 for surgery he is cutting major corners somewhere. He is not using titanium staples either. Don't expect a diamond when you are paying for a pebble.

Sorry to sound harsh, but this is your life you're talking about. Save your money, and wait until you can go to a doctor who cares if you go septic, after crossing back over the border.

Edited May 31, 201412 yr by lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

The thing with medical tourism is that they will go out of their way for you. They want you to have a grade A experience so they will have your business and friends business. It is a popular choice for a reason. There is no such thing as a complete sterile environment. Tell the surgeon your concerns, tell the coordinator your concerns. When I was researching testimonials on YouTube, the interesting thing was the patients with complications had their surgery done in the states! I was suprised.