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Cost of major surgery


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Why not choose where you would like each of these procedures done and ask them for current costs? Ask you primary care physician where they would recommend for each. There are many different heart procedures, and cancer treatments/surgeries. Prices will vary greatly depending on the doctor & hospital. 

Asking people here what they paid depending on when they had it done might have no relevance today or when you might need major medical treatment or the hospital you choose.

 

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We have managed quite nicely without health insurance and pay out of pocket. Biggest one time expense was getting my first 4[2 of which were the more expensive medicated] stents which included 5 days[2 days ICU] in hospital del carmen in 2010. Total cost $23,000cdn. My electric chair up the stairs,$10,000cdn.  Orthopedic beds-$2000cdn.

 

pedro kertesz

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Again, too many variables. Depends on the doctor. Too many attach themselves to what they perceive as sick, dieing creatures, and try to suck their blood ($$$$) out before they die. The biggest tell is that they work in US dollars only, and do not offer receipts or facturas.

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My brother-in-law in Mexico City developed stomach cancer. Now the average life expectancy after diagnosis and without treatment is about six months.  However his kids wanted everything done so he had abdominal surgery.  After surgery he developed peritonitis and a collapsed lung. He was miserable  the last two months of his life.  I just wish they had good palliative care in Mexico.

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17 hours ago, fishcake said:

Apologies for asking such a STUPID question.   

It is not a stupid question at all. It is all one big crap shoot. Some examples? I was diagnosed with an anti biotic resistant e. coli UTI. I spent weeks in hospital over a period of months, with a heavy duty antibiotic drip, and think I tried every antibiotic recommended by the lab. Would not budge. They decided since I was asymptomatic, they would just keep an eye on my kidneys. I went to a Urologist, who prescribed a common anti biotic I had not tried, as well a  3 month prophylactic antibiotic, the e. coli cleared almost immediately and has not returned.

My wife developed a sore on her toe. She consulted with two podiatrists, a dermatologist, a wound specialist, an internal medicine specialist, a circulation specialist, and finally an orthopedic surgeon. He wants her in as soon as possible, next week, to have a portion, or all of her toe amputated. The specialists had messed around with her toe for so long that the infection got into her toe bone and they don't want it to spread.

So you never know. Hospitals are places people go to die. Palliative care here is not even close to what they offer in the North. People lie to get their loved ones in private care or general wards. I have witnessed the deaths of at least six patients, including a young man who seemed to have everything going for him.

Do everything in your power to stay out of hospital. Eat right, keep your weight down, do light cardio and weights, watch out for too much booze. You know all this stuff. It is better than any insurance policy and more likely to produce benefits. Insurance companies are notoriously tight fisted on payouts.

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I guess you are still waiting for an answer to your question? “examplesof the cost of major surgery.  Eg. Knee replacement, heart procedures, cancer etc.” 

I had 2 surgeries in Mexico. I had a cervical disc replacement at San Francisco de Asis hospital in Guadalajara. It was done through a local clinic in San Antonio that billed my U.S. insurance company $45,000 USD. The procedure was successful and I did not pay anything out of pocket, however, my insurance company issued a fraud investigation due to over billing. I discovered that the procedure actually cost $15,000 usd and the clinic pocketed $30,000 usd. I no longer have any dealings with the clinic or the doctor that runs it. 

I also had gastric bypass surgery at Hospital Country 2000. I paid $6,500 USD out of pocket. No insurance. 

That’s all I have. I hope it helps.

 


 

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2 hours ago, thesarge7 said:

I guess you are still waiting for an answer to your question? “examplesof the cost of major surgery.  Eg. Knee replacement, heart procedures, cancer etc.” 

I had 2 surgeries in Mexico. I had a cervical disc replacement at San Francisco de Asis hospital in Guadalajara. It was done through a local clinic in San Antonio that billed my U.S. insurance company $45,000 USD. The procedure was successful and I did not pay anything out of pocket, however, my insurance company issued a fraud investigation due to over billing. I discovered that the procedure actually cost $15,000 usd and the clinic pocketed $30,000 usd. I no longer have any dealings with the clinic or the doctor that runs it. 

I also had gastric bypass surgery at Hospital Country 2000. I paid $6,500 USD out of pocket. No insurance. 

That’s all I have. I hope it helps.

 


 

Gracias

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Had a hip replaced last week - surgeon was Gr. Gabriel Martinez at Quality Care, operation at Puerta de Hierro Norte (Andares Mall area).  All in, $157,000 MX including doctors, implant and hospital fees.

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When you buy insurance, just remember that at our advanced age almost everything could be construed as a "pre existing condition" and the insurance will not cover it, as I just found out.  So you might end up paying out of pocket AND paying an insurance premium every year.  Is it worth it?

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