Re: Spain surgery questions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/29/2001 12:24:09 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathieSL@... writes:

> 1. Did you go by yourself or did someone accompany you?

>

You can do it either way but its easier if you have someone go with you.

They are given a futon type bed in your room and meals are offered..in fact

the food isn't bad at all..better than most hospitals here..LOL

> 2. How much did you pay for hotel accomodations? The actual fee for the

> surgery sounds good, but I'm concerned that the price will be unreasonable

> when you consider the travel, hotel expenses, taxis, etc.

>

about 100 bucks a night during peak holiday season so it might be cheaper

other times of the year. I spent 17,000 total and that included all my trip

expenses, 1 week salary, 300 dollars in new clothing, all my preop copays

etc. I could have gone alot cheaper but I had to spend 15 days there so my

hotel was a bit higher than if I'd have been able to come straight back home.

I'd say 13000 or 14000 would be a good average.

> 3. Do you speak Spanish? Were there any language issues - I understand

> that

> Dr. B. speaks fluent English, but the nurses don't - how do you communicate

>

> pain, etc.?

>

> I speak no Spanish. I had no problems with communication. We had a lot of

laughs trying to understand each other. Dr. B. speaks excellent english and

the nurses know some words but are no fluent. I had no problems letting them

know about pain etc. I received better care than I've ever gotten here in

the US in the hospital.

4. What happens if there are complications - is that included in the fee?

>

>

You'd pay for extra days in the clinica, tests but Dr. B. is a set amount no

matter what happens.

> 5. What was it like to travel all the way to Europe before and after the

> surgery? I don't think I could fit in those little airplane bathrooms!!

> I've only taken 1-2 hour flights since being this size.

>

> Not great but not as bad as I thought and I was at 415 lbs. I fit in the

bathrooms with a small amount of room to spare and I spent a lot of time

wiggling legs and feet. I'm not going to say it was a breeze but I dont

think it is even if you're thin...its just a bit more uncomfortable. I

bought 2 seats and that really helped me. My friend that went was about 230

lbs and she didnt have any problems.

6. Did you have prior experience traveling internationally? Forgive me for

>

> sounding wimpy, but I have NEVER travelled outside the US unless you count

> 5

> miles into Mexico, lol. I'm rather scared of the travel situation.

>

Me either!!! I've never been out of the country except to Vancouver BC. It

was an adventure and I'm so glad I went. It was wonderful, a great

experience even if i had to have surgeyr in the middle...LOL

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/08/01 BMI 54.3 357.1 -58.0 lbs! -50.0 inches

10/24/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs!

10/29/01 BMI 52.0 341.5 -73.6 lbs! -58 inches

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My website:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

www.wlsbellingham.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/30/2001 3:04:46 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jward533@... writes:

> I have to say to those people that are contemplating going to Spain, thatyou

> ought to consider going to Dayton, Ohio, to Dr. Maguire. My costs

> wereabout $17,000 total also. I would have been very nervous flying out of

> thecountry and not being able to speak the language. If anyone else feels

> thesame check out Dr. Maguire. I'm not saying Dr. B isn't great. I think

> heis and the people that go to him are very happy. I wanted a Dr. that

> wouldbe here to do my followup and like I said I wasn't comfortable

> travelling.

>

On the west coast there is also Dr. Heap and his fees total between 18 and 25

I've been told...so another lower cost area. A lot seems to be where they

are based and Eastern Wa. is not a very high cost area!

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/24/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs!

10/29/01 BMI 52.0 341.5 -73.6 lbs! -58 inches

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My website:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

www.wlsbellingham.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

Kathie,

If you want information from Dr B's patients, I strongly recommend

that you join his list. There is far more information available

there than on this list.

His list is at:

Post message: DrBaltasar-DuodenalSwitch

Subscribe: DrBaltasar-DuodenalSwitch-subscribe

List owner: DrBaltasar-DuodenalSwitch-owner

Web page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DrBaltasar-DuodenalSwitch

> OK, in the case that I can't afford the 50% co-pay here in the

states, I am

> really looking into going to Spain (gulp) to have DS surgery. I

have some

> questions for patients of Dr. Baltasar . . .

>

> 1. Did you go by yourself or did someone accompany you?

>

> 2. How much did you pay for hotel accomodations? The actual fee

for the

> surgery sounds good, but I'm concerned that the price will be

unreasonable

> when you consider the travel, hotel expenses, taxis, etc.

>

[Guest guest]

Jackie: Please tell me more about your surg and Dr

Maguire. Did you have open or lap? Were you charged a

flat rate by the hosp (usually the hosp is the

majority of the bill, not the surgeon's charge)? Did

you negotiate a special hosp rate? How long did you

stay in the hosp? Did you have to travel far to see Dr

M? If so, did you have to stay in the area post-op for

follow-up? That amount doesn't sound too bad but I'm

wondering about the variables involved in your case.

Thanks!!

--- jward533@... wrote:

> I have to say to those people that are contemplating

> going to Spain, that you ought to consider going to

> Dayton, Ohio, to Dr. Maguire. My costs were about

=====

+Doris in PA+

Hoping for DS

BMI 54

__________________________________________________