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Colonoscopy

Russ - 5-8-2010 at 12:24 PM

Ah, the 'ol "butt cam". Have an appointment end of the month. VA covering it 100%

DENNIS - 5-8-2010 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
Hello to All,

I am sure this will get some immature responses, but I am looking for a place in Northern Baja to have a colonoscopy done. Any first hand of second hand experiences would be quite helpful. Thank you, Rich.

Anthony's in Ensenada.
There. That's your first one.
Welcome to BajaNomad, RichBaja.

jak - 5-8-2010 at 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
Hello to All,

I am sure this will get some immature responses, but I am looking for a place in Northern Baja to have a colonoscopy done.

Ya think?

rhintransit - 5-8-2010 at 01:32 PM

I wouldn't have it done in Baja. of course I'm one of those ex-nurses who decline to have it done in the USA, too.

bacquito - 5-8-2010 at 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
Why would you not have it done? Please share.

Yes, please respond.

Bajahowodd - 5-8-2010 at 02:59 PM

Just to try and steal Dennis' thunder, I'd suggest acting very suspicious at the immigration line heading North. And they won't even charge you for it. :lol:

irenemm - 5-8-2010 at 03:09 PM

Try the Dr.'s at the Vel Mar hospital in Ensenada. It is in front of the Navy Base. The hospital and clinic are very good. The Dr.'s speak English and the offices and hospital are very clean.
the phone # is from the states 011 52 646 173 4500.
I have been at the hospital for emergency and my granddaughter was born there. 9 weeks premature. Very good Dr.s of all kinds.
I don't have US insurance so we have all our medical done here.
Try Dr. Jose Luis Curiel Marchena. I think when i check for the price it was like $3600.00 pesos. but that was last year so maybe more now.
good luck did not have it done.

dtbushpilot - 5-8-2010 at 03:23 PM

Finally a serious reply, thank you irene for taking the high road....dt

irenemm - 5-8-2010 at 03:43 PM

dt
thank you. i too like funny stuff. But this test could mean someone's life.

bajabass - 5-8-2010 at 04:05 PM

I had a kidney biopsy done there 3 years ago. Nice, clean facility. Turned out the doctor performing the less than enjoyable tissue removal, :no:

had been one of my wife's instructors in med school. Room, ultra sound & tech, doctor, instruments, including the pathology lab tests and report, $380.00 in early '07. I'm still here, :biggrin:

turned out to be a thyroid issue.

Bajahowodd - 5-8-2010 at 04:29 PM

Just to atone for my sins, I believe the hospital is Val Mar. It's 2-3 blocks up from the Costera. You can see it from there as it is a rather large, imposing building.

Don't Have Any Experience with Colonoscopy

Gypsy Jan - 5-8-2010 at 05:27 PM

But the Hospital Angeles and the Centro Medico Excel in Tijuana are excellent, large scale (fifteen story plus high rise towers) that offer the very best in medical treatment.

If you are interested in more info and/or a recitation about my positive experiences in both these places, please send me a U2U message and I will furnish names and contact info.

irenemm - 5-8-2010 at 06:56 PM

NO the hospital name is Vel Mar.
it was Las Americas when it opened in 1992.

bajabound2005 - 5-8-2010 at 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
So none of you men have had this done in Baja?

OK, that's funny? What makes you think there are "men" in Baja?

fishingmako - 5-8-2010 at 10:10 PM

I HAVE USED TH VA FOR MANY THINGS, BUT THINGS ARE CHANGING, NOT TO SCARE YOU WHO USE THE VA. YOU NEED TO START READING THE VA WATHDOGS AND OTHERS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL VE HOSPITALS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR DIRTY FILTHY TOOLS FOR COLONOSCOPPY AS WELL AS OTHERS, IN 2 DIFFERENT CASES AIDS WAS A PROBLEM, PLEASE CHECK IT OUT CLOSELY.

Dave - 5-9-2010 at 09:00 AM

Had one done about two years ago. I don't have access to my medical records but I have the card for my Gastroenterologist. A simple phone call would probably direct you to the clinic that did the procedure. Best I recall it cost 450-500 dollars.

Dr. Rafael Olivarria Gonzalez
German Gedovius 7-401 Zona Rio, Tijuana
011-52-664-684-2270

TMW - 5-9-2010 at 11:27 AM

I haven't had one done in Baja but I did have one done in Feb this year and how things have changed. Before they gave me a prescription for the stuff you drink the day before which tasted like crap. This last time it was an over the counter mix that didn't taste too bad, as least to me, more like gatoraid. They also gave me two pills to take, one two or three days before and one the day before. In and out no problem. A side affect that may happen is that on my next normal doctor visit about 6 weeks later ( I go every 3 months) my blood count showed a little high calcium count, this also happen to my wife a few months earlier. A follow up blood check was OK. The doctor thinks the stuff I drink may have caused the calcium to spike. They watch for things like a rise in calcium because it could be an early sign of cancer.

Bob and Susan - 5-9-2010 at 11:37 AM

i'd just be careful...

get a referal...

bull colonoscopy.jpg - 20kB

Cypress - 5-9-2010 at 12:27 PM

Bob and Susan, Ouch!!! :biggrin:

Is that one of those economy colonoscopy deals? He should have been spending more time with his family.

I'd give the bull an A+ for accuracy in horn placement. The dude on the horn? Don't even want to think about it. :tumble:

DianaT - 5-9-2010 at 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit
I wouldn't have it done in Baja. of course I'm one of those ex-nurses who decline to have it done in the USA, too.

I know the nurses in my family are not too fond of hospitals, is that your reason for not having this procedure done or is there another reason?

Seriously curious----nurses do tend to know a lot about things that doctors don't tell us. :yes:

bajamedic - 5-9-2010 at 01:43 PM

Diana, as a Paramedic and EMS Supervisor, I have an over whelming tendency to agree with your nurse relatives. JH

[Edited on 5-9-2010 by bajamedic]

TMW - 5-9-2010 at 04:34 PM

I think it is normally done outside of a hospital for out patient services or maybe that's just the way it's done in Bakersfield. Here there are clinics that specialize in doing it.

greybaby - 5-9-2010 at 04:39 PM

I cannot imagine any health care professional advising someone NOT to get a screening colonoscopy. Colon cancer is so treatable if caught early. A friend of mine who is a PA didn't have his done and now has a colostomy and faces an uncertain future. I have another friend who worked in the health care field who died in her 50's because she didn't want to go through the procedure. Yes, it's a pain in the butt to go through and it's expensive but well worth it. Now I'll sign off so people don't yell at me

Word

Bajahowodd - 5-9-2010 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greybaby
I cannot imagine any health care professional advising someone NOT to get a screening colonoscopy. Colon cancer is so treatable if caught early. A friend of mine who is a PA didn't have his done and now has a colostomy and faces an uncertain future. I have another friend who worked in the health care field who died in her 50's because she didn't want to go through the procedure. Yes, it's a pain in the butt to go through and it's expensive but well worth it. Now I'll sign off so people don't yell at me

[Edited on 5-9-2010 by Bajahowodd]

DENNIS - 5-9-2010 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
I think it is normally done outside of a hospital

You mean they do it on the lawn or in the parking lot? That doesn't sound like fun at all. :lol:

805gregg - 5-9-2010 at 06:57 PM

Yes, it's a pain in the butt to go through and it's expensive but well worth it.

I had it done a couple of years ago, I watched the whole thing on the screen, no pain no trouble. I was intrigued by what I saw, plus I could second guess the doctor, hey what was that you just passed? Back up i want to see it again. They removed a couple of small polyps, I was glad I had it done.

TMW - 5-9-2010 at 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
I think it is normally done outside of a hospital

You mean they do it on the lawn or in the parking lot? That doesn't sound like fun at all. :lol:

Mine was done in a Van with two Hooter nurses to assist, that's the Bako way. See what your missing Dennis.

mrfatboy - 5-9-2010 at 08:59 PM

Just as a money comparison, I just had one in feb at Scripps clinic at la jolla, USA. $2500 US. Insurance covered it. I guess it costs alot to properly clean the 5ft hose camera

tripledigitken - 5-10-2010 at 08:41 AM

Just a clarification from a comment made.

It's not at all painful!!!!!

The worst part is drinking the fluid the day before.

If you're over 50 and have not had one, please go and do it. It does save lives!

Ken

DianaT - 5-10-2010 at 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Just a clarification from a comment made.

It's not at all painful!!!!!

The worst part is drinking the fluid the day before.

If you're over 50 and have not had one, please go and do it. It does save lives!

Ken

Yes, the day before is not a fun day, but as far as the procedure goes, it was over before I knew they started----

absolutely nothing like the anticipation.

That is why I am curious why someone would refuse to have it done----why?

If available...

Dave - 5-10-2010 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Yes, the day before is not a fun day, but as far as the procedure goes, it was over before I knew they started----

absolutely nothing like the anticipation.

Always opt for the deluxe package...

General anesthetic.

Did I mention they gave me a video of the procedure? I like to play it at parties. Late...When it's time for everyone to go home :rolleyes:

Funny, but it takes people a while to figure out what's playing.

oladulce - 5-10-2010 at 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit
I wouldn't have it done in Baja. of course I'm one of those ex-nurses who decline to have it done in the USA, too.

I've only been retired a few months and I'm not sure I'll ever feel like an ex-nurse . If anything, 30 yrs of exposure to patients who had something discovered early and were able to be treated, as well as knowing those who succumbed because they did not, will always be a motivator. Even for something as procrastinateable as a colonoscopy.

Even with our hefty insurance deductibles , BigWooo and I will return NOB for the studies because I'm finicky about who and where we go for medical care- especially elective procedures. It could be Mexico or Iowa, I don't know about the quality of care in either place and wouldn't feel comfortable having an invasive procedure if I had a choice.

Questions I'd ask before choosing a colonoscopy facility:

1. Obviously you want a skilled, experienced doctor

2. Sedation- Will there be an anesthesiologist or nurse monitoring me during the procedure? In my experience, a very large dose of a medication called Versed is given for it's sedative and amnesic effects. Sometimes it doesn't knock you out all the way, but you don't care what they do to you and you don't remember the unpleasant parts of the procedure. But it's a much larger dose than usual and I want to be sure that someone is watching my airway/breathing because the GI doctor will be busy at the other end of the table.

3. Resuscitation equipment available? Hey, hope for the best and plan for the worst.

4. Pathologist? Not that i've ever interviewed a pathologist prior to a biopsy, but he/she is an integral part of the process if something suspicious is found. If you pick a good GI doc, they won't send their specimens to a pathologist they don't trust. I don't know anything about the training requirements for a Pathologist in Mexico which is another reason why I doubt I'll ever have a biopsy performed here. I've lived thru cancer once and don't want to push my luck.

[Edited on 5-11-2010 by oladulce]

Bob and Susan - 5-10-2010 at 11:48 AM

the thing about "MY Guy" is you can "butcher" and
fire him if you are dissatisfied :lol:

Packoderm - 5-10-2010 at 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Yes, the day before is not a fun day, but as far as the procedure goes, it was over before I knew they started----

absolutely nothing like the anticipation.

Funny, but it takes people a while to figure out what's playing.

You're the winner so far.

colonoscopy in color

BajaDanD - 5-10-2010 at 07:26 PM

Ridgid Mini-SeeSnake Plus Color Camera - 200 Ft. Reel

How long is a colon???

http://www.ohiopowertool.com/p-1138-ridgid-mini-seesnake-plu...

greybaby - 5-10-2010 at 09:45 PM

Everyone is correct - the day before is the pits to say the least, but the actual procedure is nothing - especially since you remember almost none of it. But for that very reason, make sure it is done by someone reputable that you trust. From the anesthetist to the gastroenterologist, to the pathogist - and the facility where it is being done. All important players.

Good luck.