COLONOSCOPY

My read on this issue is many procedures done @ Lakeside should be done in Hospitals?
Being a non medically trained person, can someone list procedures done @ Lakeside, that one should give strong consideration to having done @ GDL Hospital?

TIA, Jim W

"as many of us dread the trip to GDL"

You dread the trip into Guadalajara but can handle driving to Atlas without trepidation?

Geez Neil, I love the trip to GDL, I hate the trip to the border and back, which I will be doing soon.   Many Lakeside residents, avoid the drive into GDL......BTW, my son will arrive here in two weeks, he has been recognized thru Wounded Warriors and Homes for Hero's program.   He and his wife and baby are receiving a home in Casa Grande, AZ.   Really Kewl, after 3 tours in Iraq, dealing with the brutality!   I am really proud of him, however, he will never be the same son the US Gov took from me!   OOPs, he volunteered, and they kicked him to the curb after 16 years due to PTSD!

Sorry for getting the thread off track!

Chapalamed wrote:

Pedro wrote:seems to me that the stool sample route makes more sense,especially if there is no history of colon cancer genetically. yet another money maker from worried old folks,the colonoscopy?

Although colonoscopies are "safe" there still exists a risk of perforation and the need for emergent surgery.  So, for those who think that saving some money and a trip into the city or hospital I would recommend weighing the risks.   I am very straightforward with my patients, I advise against them having such a procedure anywhere here in the Lakeside area. In speaking with a couple of the retired MD's that have practices NOB, they all have agreed with my stance.  It's always better to err on the safe side, I believe.

INVASIVE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DONE in a HOSPITAL.   For a lay person, there are some INVASIVE procedures which may appear to be safe. WHY LIST THEM ? If you are in doubt about a procedure and it's safety, ask your healthcare provider if there is a risk of BLEEDING, INFECTION or EVEN DEATH?   Why do you think that in U.S. hospitals patients are asked to sign INFORMED CONSENT FORMS before an INVASIVE PROCEDURE IS DONE (this includes colonoscopies) ?
Again, I strongly recommend that patients spend a couple hours of to drive to and from Guadalajara and (when needed) hire a driver/taxi for only $35-$50 U.S. dollars.  It makes both sense on both economic and health terms.

I have to be blunt here.  I heard one piece of advice while I was a Freshman in College.  "TAKE FINANCIAL, RELATIONSHIP and HEALTH ADVICE ONLY FROM those whom you pay for such advice.  You can always fire those who give you bad advice.  Others who give you such advice FOR FREE are usually not trained to give you such advice and more importantly don't have to live OR DIE from the advice they give you on these topics. "

Chapalamed wrote:

Chapalamed wrote:

Pedro wrote:seems to me that the stool sample route makes more sense,especially if there is no history of colon cancer genetically. yet another money maker from worried old folks,the colonoscopy?

Although colonoscopies are "safe" there still exists a risk of perforation and the need for emergent surgery.  So, for those who think that saving some money and a trip into the city or hospital I would recommend weighing the risks.   I am very straightforward with my patients, I advise against them having such a procedure anywhere here in the Lakeside area. In speaking with a couple of the retired MD's that have practices NOB, they all have agreed with my stance.  It's always better to err on the safe side, I believe.

INVASIVE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DONE in a HOSPITAL.   For a lay person, there are some INVASIVE procedures which may appear to be safe. WHY LIST THEM ? If you are in doubt about a procedure and it's safety, ask your healthcare provider if there is a risk of BLEEDING, INFECTION or EVEN DEATH?   Why do you think that in U.S. hospitals patients are asked to sign INFORMED CONSENT FORMS before an INVASIVE PROCEDURE IS DONE (this includes colonoscopies) ?
Again, I strongly recommend that patients spend a couple hours of to drive to and from Guadalajara and (when needed) hire a driver/taxi for only $35-$50 U.S. dollars.  It makes both sense on both economic and health terms.

I have to be blunt here.  I heard one piece of advice while I was a Freshman in College.  "TAKE FINANCIAL, RELATIONSHIP and HEALTH ADVICE ONLY FROM those whom you pay for such advice.  You can always fire those who give you bad advice.  Others who give you such advice FOR FREE are usually not trained to give you such advice and more importantly don't have to live OR DIE from the advice they give you on these topics. "

gracias for your PROFESSIONAL advice and voice of reason!

Chapalamed: Now in 2020 that they (Dr Daniel Briseno, Quality Care) do colonoscopies at the San Antonio Hospital - would you still say No, go to Guadalajara? or is the San Antonio Hospital equipped to deal with an emergency should one arise from having a colonoscopy there?

I would get it done in SAT. My wife had one there recently. No problem and less expensive than GDL.

Less expensive?? I am glad to hear that. I go there for treatment, but I thought what they charged to be terribly high for office visits.

I guess I'm just cheap :) But I thought that their rates were quite high for lakeside :)

Nope it was a few thousand pesos cheaper than what we were quoted for GDL.

MexicoPete wrote:Less expensive?? I am glad to hear that. I go there for treatment, but I thought what they charged to be terribly high for office visits.

I guess I'm just  cheap :)  But I thought that their rates were quite high for lakeside :)  

Pete, have you been quoted prices for consultations in Guad.?  I  can´t believe you think that and why would lakeside make a difference if the doctor has the same qualifications. SA Hospital is a brand new facility and certainly doesn´t need to cut prices because it is some inferior facility.

Most office visits with good doctor's are $600 to $800 pesos. No more $300 pesos unless you go to the Ajijic clinic and see whomever is on duty.

CanuckBob wrote:Most office visits with good doctor's are $600 to $800 pesos. No more $300 pesos unless you go to the Ajijic clinic and see whomever is on duty.

Exactly, average cost, and that´s the same for Pete, who thinks in US $ terms, whether the exchange rate is 18 to 1 or 22 to 1.
If you factor in  time, gasoline, and traffic frustration in Guad. for some, the rates at the lake are MUCH lower.
Remember that the doctors who don´t live in the Chapala area but provide service here have the time and travel costs to consider also.
! Codo es codo !

I just know that when I compared prices for a EKG, maybe 8 months ago was that the Ajijic Clinic quoted a price of $300 pesos, and I paid $600 at the San Antonio Hospital/Clinic.

Also when I visit a Doctor at the San Antonio Hosp/Clinic I pay $1000 pesos per visit

Well in many cases you get what you pay for.......not sure I would trust the results from the clinic.

MexicoPete wrote:I just know that when I compared prices for a EKG, maybe 8 months ago was that the Ajijic Clinic quoted a price of $300 pesos, and I paid $600 at the San  Antonio Hospital/Clinic.

Also when I visit a Doctor at the San Antonio Hosp/Clinic I pay $1000 pesos per visit

As Bob says, most local Chapala primary care physicians charge between 600. to 800. for an office consultation. Specialists and doctors that don´t live in the Chapala area but are available 1 or 2 days a week usually charge the 1,000. pesos. It costs them time and money to get here and be available, and it is especially good for people that don´t have automobiles or don´t want to drive to Guad.