extra fees after surgery at Nova Hospital in Tijuana?

[waterlady 8]

Have many of you had this happen to you after surgery? I understand if the surgery is prolonged and requires more anesthesia it will cost more. Just curious if many people had this issue and how they handled the payment situation.

[2btrim 129]

Good question waterlady,I've been wondering about this also.

[saffikeagan 8/31/13 48]

I was assuming there would be no extra costs. I'd like to hear from others.

[2btrim 129]

I was assuming there would be no extra costs. I'd like to hear from others.

I had a simple laparoscopic gallbladder surgery that went horribly wrong, the surgeon punctured my bile duct and I almost died from bile peritonitis. I ended up having emergency exploratory surgery and now for sure have got some scar tissue going on in there. Weather or not it will be an issue, won't be known until the surgery is actually in progress. Needless to say this makes me a little nervous. I was told by a coordinator that if surgery took longer than usual because of something like this, there would be an additional $500.00 charge.

[measureofme 175]

I communicated privately with the OP about this topic, but since others are asking, I will share here too. I incurred a significant extra fee in February at florence that was attributed to my super-size status. While we were repeatedly assured it would not happen again when my husband went this month, we were in fact handed a bill for overages. We argued that one down by half. I can say that in talking with another couple that had VSG the next day after my husband they too were given an extra bill that was higher still than ours. And I know of one other person that had an extra bill from my asking this very question. The common denominator is the surgeon, Ramos-Kelly- at least for these instances. I should note that I communicated with a few other of his patients that did NOT have this experience.

Now, we paid the main fee via cashiers check and refused to give a credit card for the overages when in Mexico. We simply had them stop at a bank on the way to the airport to get another check/cash.

In every instance unforeseen costs from the hospital were cited as the cause (extra anesthesia, OR time, meds, etc). And I don't think Ramos-Kelly patients are unique in being given forms at hospital check in which acknowledge responsibility for such circumstances and fees are the patients and will be paid. But I must admit I have become reluctant to recommend this surgeon as a result... I could overlook it once for my surgery (and had a fabulous experience) but my tune is changed over the last three weeks for sure.

[North_Chicky 29]

That is disappointing. I wouldn't have liked to have been presented with a bill post surgery. I understand Dr's charging additional fee's upfront for very high BMI's. After the fact seems wrong. Expecially considering the forms everyone signs are in Spanish.

[measureofme 175]

When I had mine in February, I chalked it up to inexperience on my part to not consider this outcome. Maybe a hazard of my choice to not use a coordination company...? But we really thought we and the doctor had our T's crossed and I's dotted when my husband went, along with assurances in writing that all had been properly planned. Maybe in each case it was legit, but I have stopped recommending this surgeon now because I cannot shake the feeling there's some shenanigans. In the end, it was worth every penny for us- we had cases no other US doctor would touch even if we had insurance coverage, but had we not been able to pay, what then?

This is an important question to ask, regardless of my experience, because unforseen circumstances DO happen (hernia repairs, galbladders, etc) in surgery and one should be prepared for how they will answer if the bill comes later.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I've never ever heard of this nor have I ever been asked to sign any forms on this matter. I've had several surgeries in MX.

BUT, It doesn't surprise me.. Since you mentioned the surgeons name, though. SMH

[jc2008 55]

We had the same thing happen to us as well with this surgeon. Even though my surgery went great and i feel that he is very competent, I will not be recommending him for this reason as well as a few other reasons. Unfortunately, his staff is ruining his credibility.

[atlchick 42]

Does anyone know how if Fernando Garcia has any hidden charges? Does he cover hernia repair or would that be an extra charge? I don't think I have one but it seems very common so curious. thanks!

[2btrim 129]

I have inquired about surgery with several different surgeons in Mexico. They have all been straight forward with me about additional fees. Dr Ramos Kelly was the first one I emailed. Lora lee sent me an email stating that the surgery was $5200.00 and BMI's over 45 were $500. extra. Also if you go to the Mexico self pay section of this forum, Susan has posted a new price announcement it states that there will be an additional charge for revisions, BMI's over 50, gallbladder removal or hernia repair. It's just that these extra things take up more time which means more anesthesia, additional time for the surgeon and operating staff and plus it holds up the operating room. Like I stated in an earlier post, my surgery may take longer due to possible scar tissue from a previous surgery, so I have to be prepared for that and every Dr and or coordinator has always been upfront with me about this. I'm so sorry for you guys who feel you may have been mislead.

[atlchick 42]

Thanks for the advise. I am making a list of questions that I will ask based on experiences others have had~so now will include this one!

[ca_medic5 75]

On Garcias paper work cost is dependent on BMI i didn't incur any extra charges

[patva 11]

I can say that I was told upfront that there is a possibility of additional charges. I had multiple surgeries and was concerned about an additional fee. I was not charged an additional fee. As a surgeon I know all to well how you may go into surgery planning on things to be straight forward only to find out its a mess inside. You don't ignore a problem or cut corner to save time and charges. As a responsible surgeon you do everything you can, but you have to charge for additional resources used.

Rather than not recommend him maybe you should be thankful, he did a thourough and complete job.

[waterlady 8]

Thank you so much for all of your posts. Since there are few replies with people incurring additional charges, I feel much more comfortable about the situation. Good Luck with your weight loss journey!