Support Requested for Surgery in Brazil
Hi All,
I am relatively new to the site, but I am fast becoming a big fan. It's wonderful how much willingness there is here for sharing of experiences, research, and motivation.
My mother and I are very close. She has been right by my side through every amazing and difficult time in my life. I am fortunate to have her. During my first wls (lap band), she was right there taking care of me.
Unfortunately, the lap band hasn't worked for me. So, I'm putting my eggs in the DS basket. And, as with my first WLS, insurance isn't paying. So, since this is a revision to DS, I'm looking outside the US for a surgeon.
After investigation and recommendations, I've settled on one of two surgeons ... Dr. Antelmo Sasso or Dr. Marchesini. Both of these surgeons are in Brazil. However, my Mother is terrified of me going out of the country. She works for our county health department. A number of her co-workers are from Mexico and they keep telling her horror stories of healthcare there. One lady even consulted her cousin who is a physician in Mexico. This Mexican doctor's first question to my Mom was, "is she (me) crazy!?!"
I'm posting this in hopes of obtaining infor to make my Mother feel more comfortable about my choice. Of course, no matter what, she will be accompanying me when I have my surgery. However, I want her to worry as little as possible and I want her to understand my decision is based on solid research and information gathering. If any of you can assist me in helping her, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks!!!
Kacie70
I am relatively new to the site, but I am fast becoming a big fan. It's wonderful how much willingness there is here for sharing of experiences, research, and motivation.
My mother and I are very close. She has been right by my side through every amazing and difficult time in my life. I am fortunate to have her. During my first wls (lap band), she was right there taking care of me.
Unfortunately, the lap band hasn't worked for me. So, I'm putting my eggs in the DS basket. And, as with my first WLS, insurance isn't paying. So, since this is a revision to DS, I'm looking outside the US for a surgeon.
After investigation and recommendations, I've settled on one of two surgeons ... Dr. Antelmo Sasso or Dr. Marchesini. Both of these surgeons are in Brazil. However, my Mother is terrified of me going out of the country. She works for our county health department. A number of her co-workers are from Mexico and they keep telling her horror stories of healthcare there. One lady even consulted her cousin who is a physician in Mexico. This Mexican doctor's first question to my Mom was, "is she (me) crazy!?!"
I'm posting this in hopes of obtaining infor to make my Mother feel more comfortable about my choice. Of course, no matter what, she will be accompanying me when I have my surgery. However, I want her to worry as little as possible and I want her to understand my decision is based on solid research and information gathering. If any of you can assist me in helping her, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks!!!
Kacie70
Dear Kacie....I could have written your post two years ago. I was lap band...failed horribly. My mother was terrified of me going to Brazil....
I researched it thoroughly and we went w/ Dr.Marchesini. It was a dream...the whole experience. He was AMAZING and Brazil was beautiful. If she goes with you, she will see. Dr. M is like family.
If she has any specific questions or concerns that I could answer, please feel free to email me.
[email protected]
I'd be more than happy to have her or you contact me.
Linda
I researched it thoroughly and we went w/ Dr.Marchesini. It was a dream...the whole experience. He was AMAZING and Brazil was beautiful. If she goes with you, she will see. Dr. M is like family.
If she has any specific questions or concerns that I could answer, please feel free to email me.
[email protected]
I'd be more than happy to have her or you contact me.
Linda
I can't really attest to Marchesini, except for all the wonderful things I've heard about him. However, as to the concerns of your family and friends -- It's not like you're going to a PUBLIC facility in S. America --you'll be at a private, resort-type spa hospital for people with cash to pay for surgery. Big difference.
(deactivated member)
on 9/7/10 6:39 am
on 9/7/10 6:39 am
Hi Kacie!
I had my surgery with Dr. Marchesini.
I previously had had several surgeries in the US. The care and treatment I received in Brazil far surpassed any I had in the US.
The University of Chicago sent a delegation to Curitiba, Brazil to see if they could implement some of their sanitation procedures as the hospital in Brazil at that time had either the 4th or 5th lowest hospital related infection rate in the world! Yep.
On a non-related note, the City of Los Angeles sent a team down to study the transit system in Curitba because their transit system works, lol.
To this day, I have Dr. M's office number, cell number and his HOME number in case I ever have an emergency and need to reach him.
I have called him one time for a consult in the ER. (The outcome was not DS related)
Maybe you can call or look up the study done by the UofC.
HTH,
Michele
I had my surgery with Dr. Marchesini.
I previously had had several surgeries in the US. The care and treatment I received in Brazil far surpassed any I had in the US.
The University of Chicago sent a delegation to Curitiba, Brazil to see if they could implement some of their sanitation procedures as the hospital in Brazil at that time had either the 4th or 5th lowest hospital related infection rate in the world! Yep.
On a non-related note, the City of Los Angeles sent a team down to study the transit system in Curitba because their transit system works, lol.
To this day, I have Dr. M's office number, cell number and his HOME number in case I ever have an emergency and need to reach him.
I have called him one time for a consult in the ER. (The outcome was not DS related)
Maybe you can call or look up the study done by the UofC.
HTH,
Michele
Kacie--
Dr. Marchesini did my surgery in July and my recovery has been textbook. He is not only a gifted surgeon but the kindest, most genuinely likable man you can imagine! I have personally met a number of his American patients and every one of them feels like I do. He truly treats his patients like family and is unlike any doctor I've ever know, personally and professionally.
I, too, was nervous about going to Brazil but I did not need to be as all went very well. The language was not nearly the problem I thought it would be and we got around just fine. He even met me at the hotel after I expressed concerns about the possibility that there might not being an English-speaking person at the hotel when we arrived late at night. (Our plane was even an hour late but he was there to greet us!)
The hospital has a lovely young English-speaking woman named Erica who made herself available to us when had a question or needed her assistance with things like getting and access code to get onto the Internet. Anna the taxi driver is also a wonderful person and speaks perfect English. They both did everything to make us feel comfortable and welcome in their country.
Pre-op I didn't have to go through all the weeks of liquid dieting you hear the others write about so that was much more pleasant. I even had a light meal the night before my surgery at Dr. Marchesini's recommendation.
The city felt safe and we walked all over at all different times of the day and evening. There are restaurants and grocery stores walking distance from the hotel and a restaurant in the hotel.
I could go on and on but what I hope you sense is that this was not an experience to be afraid of and I would do it again in a second. This was my first truly international travel, too. Oh, by the way, I have lost 45% of my excess weight in just under 9 weeks!
If you choose Dr. Marchesini you will be in excellent hands!Good luck!
Lisa
Dr. Marchesini did my surgery in July and my recovery has been textbook. He is not only a gifted surgeon but the kindest, most genuinely likable man you can imagine! I have personally met a number of his American patients and every one of them feels like I do. He truly treats his patients like family and is unlike any doctor I've ever know, personally and professionally.
I, too, was nervous about going to Brazil but I did not need to be as all went very well. The language was not nearly the problem I thought it would be and we got around just fine. He even met me at the hotel after I expressed concerns about the possibility that there might not being an English-speaking person at the hotel when we arrived late at night. (Our plane was even an hour late but he was there to greet us!)
The hospital has a lovely young English-speaking woman named Erica who made herself available to us when had a question or needed her assistance with things like getting and access code to get onto the Internet. Anna the taxi driver is also a wonderful person and speaks perfect English. They both did everything to make us feel comfortable and welcome in their country.
Pre-op I didn't have to go through all the weeks of liquid dieting you hear the others write about so that was much more pleasant. I even had a light meal the night before my surgery at Dr. Marchesini's recommendation.
The city felt safe and we walked all over at all different times of the day and evening. There are restaurants and grocery stores walking distance from the hotel and a restaurant in the hotel.
I could go on and on but what I hope you sense is that this was not an experience to be afraid of and I would do it again in a second. This was my first truly international travel, too. Oh, by the way, I have lost 45% of my excess weight in just under 9 weeks!
If you choose Dr. Marchesini you will be in excellent hands!Good luck!
Lisa
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