Information I Have Gathered

Contact Information:
Name: Francisco Gerardo Sauceda Mireles
Office address:
Centro de Especialidades Médicas (CEM)
José Benítez 2704 int 401
Col. Obispado Monterrey, México
Email: drsauceda@gmail.com
Telephone: (81) 82204477

Hospital: Christus Muguerza
Toll-Free (from US/CAN): 1-866-558-6070

Hotel: Hampton Inn by Hilton Monterrey/Galerias-Obispado
Avenida Gonzalitos 415 Sur Obispado, Monterrey, Mexico 64060
Tel: +52-81-8625 2450 Fax: +52-81-8625 2451
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhoc n=MTYGAHX

American Embassy in Mexico City
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
E-MAIL: acsmexicocity@state.gov
TELEPHONES:
From Mexico:
Tel : ( 01-55 ) 5080-2000
Fax: ( 01-55 ) 5525-5040
From the U.S.:
Tel: 011-52-55-5080-2000
Fax: 011-52-55-5525-5040


Payment Information: Can be done via certified check or direct bank transfer to Dr. S's bank. He also used MedChoice Financial, but they changed their policies recently so he doesn't want to use them any more. Check with him to confirm if he is still using them. He also accepts credit cards but will charge 4% more because of the bank fees.

Surgery Start Time: Usually between 7:00-9:00 am

Shower After Surgery: Usually next day.

Sedation: You get twilight sedation via IV before you get Epidural, not general anesthesia. With this there is no need for breathing tube and a smoother wake-up. During sedation they check the oxygenation of the body to make sure everything is fine. They can adjust the sedation depending on how the patient is doing. Anesthesiologist's name: Dra Gabriela Moreno Ramos. ***Note: Lower body lift under twilight: some PS do not recommend the LBL under twilight because since we are laying on the tummy, the oygenation by the mouth is more difficult. Dr. S does the LBL on the sides so no problem of oxygenation!!

Does Dr. S do tattoo removal: No, because that usually takes several visits.

Vitamins: Stop taking vitamin E 15 days prior to surgery and until healed (prevents blood clotting) and add protein to your diet (an extra protein shake/day). Only vitamin I have found without Vitamin E is http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=13511 but was told Centrum had very little and they were told (by another Dr., not Dr. S) that the minimal amount was ok.

Stop 15 days prior to surgery: Smoking and birth control pills.

Airline Traveling Info: Ask for wheelchair assistance for plane ride home before leaving States. If flying American within 14 days of surgery, will need letter from Dr. S confirming that you are OK to fly. Some people have had their compression garments set off the metal detector! Be prepared in case!

Scar treatment: Do not bring any scar stuff because Dr. S will give you vitacilina (to prevent infection) to use. Start your own treatment 3 weeks out (if wounds are healed) and use for 8-12 weeks. One using Kel-o-cote gel, and scar FX strips another using Scar Guard gel and Scar Away strips. Interesting (and funny) read: http://www.getridofthings.com/getridofscars.htm.

Cream for wounds: Dr. S. gives you a tube of cream to apply every morning to your wounds to prevent infection when Patty comes to shower and redress you. I was told by several people that we could buy it at the HEB when we ran out. Searched high and low at the HEB and couldn't find it. Asked Dr. S. and he told us it comes under a different name. So... when you run out and go to the HEB, go to the pharmacy counter and on the far left side you will find a green box called VITACILINA. It is exactly the same cream the Dr. S. gives us but when you ask for the cream by the other name (Neomicina Retinol) they tell you they don't have it.

Stool softener: If you get stopped up from the narcotics, ask Dr. S for a stool softener. Don't need to bring any. One site I read suggested starting them a few days before surgery.

Shopping information: There are people who will bag your groceries at HEB. They are people who the store brings on and lets them bag for tips since many are poor. Also, if the checker keeps your change it goes to the poor. Sometimes they will ask to keep it and sometimes they will just keep it. They will also if you ask, help you transport your purchase to the hotel at most stores (for an additional tip). Will also want to hit up the malls on the latter end of your stay. There is the Galleria down the street and then there is a big mall called Plaza de Fiesta St Augustine (sp?). It's only 10 minutes away. There is also a Starbucks within walking distance.

Hotel Electrical Outlet Information: Do not need to bring any type of converters, same as US.

Hotel Refrigerator/Silverware/Dishes/Microwave/Iron: Ensure they put refrigerator in room and borrow silverware/dishes from breakfast buffet to use in room. There is not a microwave in the room. They have one in the kitchen area off the lobby and you can ask for something to be heated or pop some popcorn. There is an iron in the room.

Where to eat: While you are staying at the clinic you order off of a menu for all 3 meals. While at the hotel there is a full service breakfast every morning, a McDonalds right out the front door, a Starbucks right past that, an Applebees on the back side of the hotel (delivers), an Italian place right next to that (does not deliver) and a large grocery store (HEB) where you can get sandwich stuff, fruit, and anything you want. There is a mall that is connected to the HEB grocery store that has a food court in it and many other restaurants. The front desk has menu's to most places. The hotel has a happy hour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm with free appetizers, sodas, and beer. One night they might serve pizza and hot wings, another night might be hot dogs, and etc etc. They also have pork rinds, chips, and other little finger foods.

Hotel visits by Dr & staff: Dr S comes and visits everyday unless he is in a long surgery thay day. Patty (the nurse) comes every day to help you bathe, change your bandages, get your garments on, and dress everyday. She is also the night nurse in the clinic and speaks some broken English.

Travel information while in Mexico: Dr S picks you up at the airport unless he is in surgery, and then he sends his driver Sergio. Dr S also picks you up at the hotel the morning of surgery and takes you back to the hotel after you are released from the clinic. He also will take you to the airport or provide a taxi for you when you leave Monterrey. This is all included in your quote. The hotel also offers a free shuttle within 10 minutes of the hotel. They will take you to the malls and wherever you want to go. If you need to go to the clinic for any reason like visiting friends, then the shuttle will take you.

Is the area safe? Many patients say the area is completelty safe and they walked around at night time to the store, etc. and never felt uncomfortable. But again, remember you have the hotel shuttle if you feel unsafe.

What if you need something in the middle of the night while at hotel? Dr S will give you his cell phone number and will be right there if you have any concerns. The first few days are usually the toughest and might need something but you should still be in the clinic during that time and will have 24 hour nursing care.

What if there is an emergency during surgery? 1. They have all the necessary first aid equipment for an intervention in the O.R (reanimation,etc.). 2. They stabilize you in the recovery room. 3. Once you are stabilized, they transfer you in one of the 2 biggest hospitals that are in the same area. One of the hospitals is the Christus Muguerza alta especialidad.

TV: In the hotel there are 2 HBO channels, People and Arts, and CNN that is in English. It has older movies and stuff like Charmed, My Own Worst Enemy, etc.

REMEMBER: Some of this you can buy while you are there at the HEB...

Packing List:
Medicines/Vitamins:
--Excedrin/Ibuprofen
--Prescriptions
--Grape Seed Extract (wound healing, 100 mg doses)
--Vitamin A (700mg doses)
--Vitamin C
--Vitamins (without Vitamin E)
--Calcium & Magnesium
--Omega 3
--Vitamin D
--Vitamin B-12

Clothes
--No Bra's (except maybe one to show the Dr. what size you want)
--Bikini Underwear (for marking)
--Gowns
--Sweat Pants/loose shirts
--Robe
--Jacket/sweater
--Underwear or men's boxers to wear over garments (not really necessary...)
--Socks
--Sandals/flip-flips
--Tennis shoes

Toiletries
--Toothbrush/Toothpaste
--Comb/Brush
--Hair Clips/Bandanna's
--Shampoos
--Conditioner
--Facial Soap
--Razor/shaving cream
--Anti-bacterial hand cleaner
--Hand lotion
--Tampons/pads

Purex All In One Sheets
Protein drink powder & shaker
Laptop
Movies
IPOD
Books/Magazines to read
Extra gauze and medical tape Pads for drains
Scissors
Lanyard to hang drains on in shower
Camera
Camera Charger
Camera Cord to download pictures
Snacks
U Shaped Travel pillow
Disk of Pictures to show Dr Sauceda
Baby Wipes
Deck of cards
Cash for tips
Chap stick
Ethernet Cord for the hotel room (10-15 ft)
Shoestrings
Calling cards or call T-Mobile about international calling or Skype
Spanish/English Dictionary
Cheat Sheet for translation

Tell hotel we want refrigerator in room & can get extra silverware/plates to use in room breakfast bar.