Joco Hospital

[Sandrita]

Does anyone know if they do any kind of knee surgery there?

Muchas gracias.

 

 

[CHILLIN]

You could try to make an appointment with the English speaking surgeon there, Dr. Ivan.You may have to go through a general doctor at seguro popular clinic in Chapala, and he or she might want to see an CT scan first before making any decisions. I am not clear if Dra Anna still works at that clinic. She speaks excellent English

[WideSky]

You could wait until Hospital San Antonio opens. I understand that surgeries will be performed there.

[HookEmHorns]

7 hours ago, oregontochapala said:

The script he gave me for an anti-inflammatory was worthless because he didn't inquire about other "issues" and if I had filled the script without first doing some research, the medication would very likely have done more harm than good. I'll have to be on my death bed before the Chapala Clinic works for me for my knees or anything else.

You might be surprised, or maybe not, but we have had the same experience several times at Lakeside from more than one "recommended " doctor and dentist here. It is very important that you check the meds BEFORE taking them, as it is your health and life that is at stake. 

It is very rare that a doctor will inquire what other meds you are taking, and probably doesn't even know if it reacts with what you are taking; certainly the "pharmacy" is no help either.

[MtnMama]

4 hours ago, WideSky said:

You could wait until Hospital San Antonio opens. I understand that surgeries will be performed there.

But only at an exorbitant cost, at least compared to SP

[CHILLIN]

10 hours ago, MtnMama said:

But only at an exorbitant cost, at least compared to SP

Yes, approximately $14,000 U.S. per knee in Guadalajara versus under $3,000 U.S. per knee Seguro, if you elect to purchase all titanium components. In the U.S.A. - what $40,000 per knee?

[HookEmHorns]

1 hour ago, CHILLIN said:

Yes, approximately $14,000 U.S. per knee in Guadalajara versus under $3,000 U.S. per knee Seguro, if you elect to purchase all titanium components. In the U.S.A. - what $40,000 per knee?

Seems like my cousin NOB said his 2 new knees cost less than $1,000 total. About 3 months apart. Has Medicare and a supplement.

[CHILLIN]

Your cuz got a real bargain - this website says the average cost of TKR = $49,000 U.S. to $57,000, thats for one knee.

https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/understanding-costs#1

 

[RickS]

35 minutes ago, CHILLIN said:

Your cuz got a real bargain - this website says the average cost of TKR = $49,000 U.S. to $57,000, thats for one knee.

https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/understanding-costs#1

 

No, not a real bargain, just the benefit of having US Medicare and a Supplement for one’s medical insurance!  Of course one must remember that Medicare Part B cost (most of) us $135/mo. and their Supplement close to if not north of $300/mo. 

[CHILLIN]

You have to be over 65 to qualify for Medicare? My Mother had her knee replaced when she was in her early 80's. She didn't have to pay a thing, but of course that was in Canada, and there are no age limitations. Thats the benefit of having a robust universal health care system.

[HookEmHorns]

3 hours ago, RickS said:

No, not a real bargain, just the benefit of having US Medicare and a Supplement for one’s medical insurance!  Of course one must remember that Medicare Part B cost (most of) us $135/mo. and their Supplement close to if not north of $300/mo. 

Actually his and my supplements cost about $125 each per month.

 

[RickS]

1 hour ago, HookEmHorns said:

Actually his and my supplements cost about $125 each per month.

 

I just figured that if he paid only $1,000 for both knees he must have Supplement Plan “F” which in my part of the country is waaaay more than $125.

 

[lakeside7]

If you have no insurance in the USA, there are "insurance Brokers" who will shop around and get you significant lower cost medical procedures...and I guess Medicaid patients can qualify for zero cost procedures..or not??.

From other reports on this forum it sounds like Non Mexicans will be excluded from joining Seguro Popular

[vetteforron]

I have been in S. America for a while but, the Hospital in Jocotepec is good for broker bones hernias, gall bladder and other small stuff. I had hernia surgery there and went as well as could be expected.  Everybody has their favorite Doctor at Lakeside but, I prefer my Doctors from Guadalajara.

Just to Bragg a little bit, mine and Sara's daughter will complete her residency in June and will be a Doctora.  I remember her sitting on my shoulders at the Zoo in Guadalajara. Oh how time fly's.

[Kyle]

HookemHorns can you tell us who your supplement provider is?  I am just turning 65 and looking for a provider.

thanks

[vetteforron]

Post removed.

[CHILLIN]

Had my six month checkup yesterday. Lots of tests to take. I asked her about my small umbilical hernia. She said I have to get my Body Mass Index down before surgery or the hernia could quickly reappear, even with mesh ( the internet says recurrence rate of about 5%). I told her my experience at Jocotepec hospital. That at the last minute before surgery the Anesthetologist said my blood platelets were too low for surgery. Turns out the platelets were low because of anti-biotic resistant E-coli infection. One month later I had mild congestive heart failure and cardio arrythmia. Then kidney stones. Now, thank Mother Gaia, the hernia operation is the last thing to overcome. I suggested that maybe I should go back to Jocotepec and carry on with the  already issued paperwork/approval and already purchased surgical mesh. She said no - that this type of surgery (and I am assuming knee replacement surgery) should be conducted at a higher tier hospital. That I would have to meet up with a variety of specialists, including a cardiologist, each would have to green light the surgery. I went through this with kidney stones, operated two times sucessfully. Now I have go through this process all over again with my hernia - firstly making an appointment with General Surgery. For knees, it should be an orthpopedic surgeon. A lot of waiting around if you go the public hospital route. The specialists are paid by public monies, not private, so they have all the time in the world, and can afford to be cautious and thorough. So if time is money to you, go private, but if time is retirement time, just buy a kindle with lots of good books. No public Wi Fi in public hospitals, no cable TV, so get a cell package if you can't go without internet, games and data access. The next higher tier hospitals with intensive care, and critical care, are all in Guadalajara. They are not all health spas, but do get the job done - eventually.

[lakeside7]

3 hours ago, CHILLIN said:

Had my six month checkup yesterday. Lots of tests to take. I asked her about my small umbilical hernia. She said I have to get my Body Mass Index down before surgery or the hernia could quickly reappear, even with mesh ( the internet says recurrence rate of about 5%). I told her my experience at Jocotepec hospital. That at the last minute before surgery the Anesthetologist said my blood platelets were too low for surgery. Turns out the platelets were low because of anti-biotic resistant E-coli infection. One month later I had mild congestive heart failure and cardio arrythmia. Then kidney stones. Now, thank Mother Gaia, the hernia operation is the last thing to overcome. I suggested that maybe I should go back to Jocotepec and carry on with the  already issued paperwork/approval and already purchased surgical mesh. She said no - that this type of surgery (and I am assuming knee replacement surgery) should be conducted at a higher tier hospital. That I would have to meet up with a variety of specialists, including a cardiologist, each would have to green light the surgery. I went through this with kidney stones, operated two times sucessfully. Now I have go through this process all over again with my hernia - firstly making an appointment with General Surgery. For knees, it should be an orthpopedic surgeon. A lot of waiting around if you go the public hospital route. The specialists are paid by public monies, not private, so they have all the time in the world, and can afford to be cautious and thorough. So if time is money to you, go private, but if time is retirement time, just buy a kindle with lots of good books. No public Wi Fi in public hospitals, no cable TV, so get a cell package if from past historyyou can't go without internet, games and data access. The next higher tier hospitals with intensive care, and critical care, are all in Guadalajara. They are not all health spas, but do get the job done - eventually.

You do sound if you can cherry your hospitals to suit your mood and condition..and from past history have not taken care of yourself 

[CHILLIN]

7 minutes ago, lakeside7 said:

You do sound if you can cherry your hospitals to suit your mood and condition..and from past history have not taken care of yourself 

True nuff. It's my body and I can choose who heals it, up to and including a return to Canada and waiting three month for universal coverage.

As far as taking care of myself - again true nuff, 50 years of party hardy and a love of cooking and eating good food.

Then again I dropped from 168 kilos to 116 kilos within one year. Have another 20 kilos to go. I think I'm on the right track. Went from a gym rat to 10 years historical building restoration and professional sculpting, often away from home, gained 5 kilos per year for those 10 years. Then 4 years maintaining a rural property, then moved to the family condo on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. I retired at 54 years of age about 10 years ago.

[AngusMactavish]

The story in this thread came to mind when I saw this: