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I just had a colonoscopy done yesterday at Imbanaco in Cali,in my opinion the best hospital in Cali.I am biased,my girlfriend is nurse there,but care and attention and timely appointments are excellent there.
Cost?  $90.The last one I had in the states,fortualtely paid by my insurance,$4500.Something is way more out of line than low wages here.
I have a severe blockage,which I knew,it just swelled up again,its been pretty much OK for 2 years.I have to do steroid type drugs for a 2 weeks,go back and do it again,hopefully they will be able to see past the blockage next time.Pain in the butt.Sh!tty deal.Literally.We can laugh about it around here.
Boy did I luck out with my little nurse girlfriend Beatriz.She is a huge help through everything.With me all the way,directing,arranging,making sure they take real good care of me.
The unpleasant stuff doesn't bother her at all.She used to work 30 hour shifts in the emmergency room in a poor hospital,with maybe one hours sleep.They would just stack the bodies in the hall,We drove by the place.She says Don't go there,people die there.Lately she works her shift then does 4 hours training.They have been disecting cadavers.She comes in hungry because she didn't eat,it put her off her food.
What a girl.What a find.

Pete

... in response to Colombian medical costs, posted by Pete E on Sep 7, 2005


Pete,

Have you ever looked into Colombian medical insurance?  I called today and they said a foreigner even on a tourist visa can obtain insurance which basically covers most medical with a very small copay for about 45.000 pesos per month!  Can this possibly be true?

... in response to Re: Colombian medical costs, posted by pablo on Sep 7, 2005

Thats true,but you get the most basic coverage for that,the kind all employers are supposed to provide.I buy that for my maid.I pay 58,000 pesos for hers,includes her son.For about 100,000 to 150,000 more you can get first rate coverage like at places like Imbanaco.
I should do it.I kick myself for not having done it before,I might have missed my oportunity to gets some things not declared pre existing.But even there they are easier on it.The company that sells the upgrade  know the basic policy anybody can get covers alot of it.
I said yesterday I would do9 that today.I need to get my girlfriend to give me her opinion again on the available plans.
You should do it.Yes just a cedula is enogh.You are a resident,if a temporary one.

Pete

... in response to Colombian medical costs, posted by Pete E on Sep 7, 2005

The only thing fun about a colonoscopy is farting afterwards.

Speaking of farts, why don't you try lots of Taco Bell Refried Beans for that blockage. If that don't clear it, nothing will... :-)

... in response to Re: Colombian medical costs, posted by Ray on Sep 7, 2005


Y'all make sure y'all clean up after yourselves...lol

... in response to Oh Gawd.....Here comes the "Fart&qu..., posted by Hoda on Sep 8, 2005

Hoda, that was just good "sound" medical advice.

The only other ways I know of to clear a blockage in the intestines is to call Roto Rooter or use Cherry bombs. I'll try the refried beans first...

Ray :-)

... in response to Not a joke, posted by Ray on Sep 8, 2005

3 doctors wanted to cut out my entire Colon,that was thier idea of a succesfull treatment.I was looking for a solution that was not worse than the problem.Its swelling and scar tissue.Cleansers and stuff don't work.Its still there.We are trying drugs.If it wasn't for that it would be surgury,but I will only let them take out the blockage.The US doctors think its better to take  all of the colon out,the problem doesn't re occur. Plus they would rather me not have a colon then take a 5% chance of doing something that doesn't work and getting some lawyer on their ass.One doctor even told me that the biggest problems with wearing a bag of sh!t are psychological.I can buy that.That would give a person a psychological problem,for a VERY REAL reason.Dumb f- - king sh!t.
Ain't US medicine great?Brought to you by the trail lawyers,the insurance companies and the scared sh!tless Doctors.No pun intended.Big shots.Big reputations.At STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER.5 miniutes consultation they were ready to just cripple me.
Here I pay,they will do what I want or I will find another doctor.Its my body,my decision,my risk.
$90 Colonoscopies.Maybe $1000 surguries.No problem.
My doctor here tells Beatriz I am  Stubborn. You got it.Untill 2 days ago all he knew about my condition was what I told him,and he didn't listen to most of what I said.Then he saw just what I told him he would.There is a 6 doctor history here and his education is just beginning.

Pete

... in response to Re: Colombian medical costs, posted by Ray on Sep 7, 2005

Gas is a problem,best avoided,because you never know if it will come with a lump.

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: Colombian medical costs, posted by Pete E on Sep 7, 2005

And we know that lumpy farts can get quite messy.....:)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Colombian medical costs, posted by sacajundude on Sep 7, 2005

...especially if you choose to sit down while it is happening. Eeeeeeeeyyyyoooowwww!