Healthcare Reform

As healthcare reform in the US limps along, we decided to do our own "reform". Last year Peggy's friend, Sarah, had surgery down here on her varicose veins and was very happy with the results. Peggy went with Sarah for a follow-up visit and had her's examined by Doctor Morales, in Cancun. Well, during the summer she decided to have them removed down here on our winter visit, as the procedure was excluded from our US health insurance policy and the veins couldn't wait for Medicare! So, on February 1 we went to Cancun to have the operation performed. The doctor's office is located in a private hospital- an impressive facility. The procedure is an outpatient one, with Peggy being operated upon at 10AM and being released in the late afternoon. We travelled by ferry to Playa, bus to Cancun and taxi to the hospital. Check-in went OK except for the hospital portion of the bill being higher than the doctor quoted. The doctor, wearing his plaid shirt and khaki pants, met us for admission and helped in getting the bill corrected. When was the last time your doctor helped with your admission? Or, getting a bill corrected? Surgery began about 1/2 hour late, but after it was done, the doctor found Ed and told him all went according to plan. Peggy did super! She was impressed with doctor, the hospital, and the staff. After several hours in recovery, we took a taxi to Playa, the 6PM ferry to Cozumel and were met by friend Sarah. So we were home by 7:30PM and in bed by 9PM. Today, the day after surgery, Peg's doing great, with only minor discomfort. Her bandages (cotton, an elastic mesh, and ACE wrapping) were changed today. Very little swelling, a tiny amount of bleeding and some bruising. It appears that incisions were small and few, mostly on her calves. The area of greatest discomfort is behind her left knee where it looks like an incision was may for the vein going to her calf. Other than that, all is good. The doctor emailed her today and inquired about her status! We'll post photos as soon as we can download them. Stay tuned!