After Lasik

Lostgringo says on Sep 11, 2007, 11:33:

I had Lasik surgery done in the morning and went out that night. Absolutely no pain involved.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

msaucey says on Sep 11, 2007, 11:51:

That's what I'm talking about!... See.. I knew my mom was over-reacting.... I told her I would be wearing sunglasses anyway... Thanks LG

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

adrienne79 says on Sep 11, 2007, 12:16:

Well, I would recommend calling the doctor and asking him. I had lasiks done here in Bucaramanga and the dqay of the surgery I had to wear some very funny coverings on my eyes. The next morning I returned to the doctor for another appointment to see how the surgery went. After that point I was good as ever. I would recommend waitng a day and a half after the surgery,

Lostgringo says on Sep 11, 2007, 12:20:

I am assuming you have everything lined up for the surgery and for the examinations. It took me a few weeks for all of this before I could get the surgery done. I had a stigma in one eye which could have something to do with it. If I had it all to do again I would have only had one eye done. My did suggest it. Apparently in some patients one eye compensates for the other eye. This means you can see things both up close and far away. I still have to carry reading glasses around with me. Yep hindsight is such a great thing.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

RAAAY says on Sep 11, 2007, 12:25:

I was going to get it done........did'nt bother.........figured there is so much shit I don't want to see................and of course....now I can't see shit.........but anyway...........

At the time, the doctor said that after the thing is done, I would need to rest up for the night. If I remember correctly he also said that he was going to give me some sort of covering for the eyes...............but that the next day everything would be normal...........

So.....to make a short story long...................rest up on the night of the surgery.........

Now.............where's my f--kin white cane........

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Lostgringo says on Sep 11, 2007, 12:26:

adrianne79 I think your advice is very good. I tend to do things in the extreme. It is better to be safe than sorry, I agree. One thing to remember is that if you get Lasik done here and leave it is impossible for follow ups. As fate would have it for me, I had to return to the doctor and have one of my eyes operated on again. Maybe because I didn't take it easy as adrianne79 suggests, I don't know. But one of my eyes was not focusing correctly. I had to schedule another operation to correct it. Having your eyes done is a serious operation even though the technology is great. You need to weigh all the pros and cons.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

msaucey says on Sep 11, 2007, 15:51:

Okay... Thanks for everyone's feedback.... So, I've changed a few things around... for a couple reason... first reason is that I need to not wear contacts for 8 days prior to the surgery.... So, I'll be having the surgery done on 8/21... Which means that I can do my excursion before the surgery... and then rest up that weekend... Wow, prices have gone up... But, still better then the states....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

poco says on Sep 11, 2007, 17:16:

=== But, still better then the states ====

I don't see this a true in most cases. The national "sales tax" is 16 percent ??? Send something to Colombia and there is a 25 + percent duty.

Many common items such as a simple dish towel is at least DOUBLE and of poor quality.

Labor is less money so construction / manfucturing costs will be somewhat less.but I've found that productivity is MUCH LESS and has an offsetting effect.

Potatoes are a LOT less,, there is a glut in Colombia. The farmers are either giving the potatoes in the field away or plowing them under.

Even beer costs more but I'd suppose you can go to a club and drinks will be less but that is probably the result of less rent, less health concerns and less pay to the employees.



PS: I can buy bread cheaper in the U.S.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

houstongal says on Sep 11, 2007, 17:57:

Hey Mcsaucey.... Glad to hear you got your schedule rearranged. I think that how quickly you can recover will depend on how bad your eyes were. Mine were terrible. I remember going to my day-after-surgery appointment and had trouble seeing well. I went home and recuperated for the rest of the day. And Lostgringo was right...at my 6-month follow-up I ended up getting surgery again on one eye that I couldn't see as well as the other. I'm glad I did it in the states in order to have the year-long follow-up appointments. But again, my eyesight was so bad (the worst of that entire day's surgery) that it wasn't surprising that I had to have a second surgery. Good luck!

podborski says on Sep 11, 2007, 19:43:

follow up is vital, but my doc told me I could play rugby the day after if I wanted to. I was fine after a few hours, took 1 tylenol and that's it. Next day I was ready to go.

Just be sure to use the drops/meds they give you, and do NOT go into a jacuzzi/hot tub where you might pick up an infection.

houstongal says on Sep 11, 2007, 19:46:

And artificial tears are really important. I still need them in the morning, but I remember those first few days were really tough opening your eyes!

goin_south says on Sep 11, 2007, 21:43:

I keep tying my hair real tight to the back....
jus 2 C if there's a problem :);))

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

gringolondinense says on Sep 12, 2007, 01:43:

Poor HG!!

adrienne79 says on Sep 12, 2007, 07:28:

I don't think it has anything to do with how bad your vision was before. My vision was so bad that I was borderline for them to not opertate on me. For example, where I went they only operate on eyes with a vision up to 7 and mine were above 6.5 with a stigmatisim. right after the surgery I could see perfectly, just a tad blurry. By the next day the blur was gone. Also, I never even used the artificial tear drops they gave me just the antibiotic ones. Also anyone that had "touch ups" actually had to get the surgery all over again just from a different starting vision. I know it is confusing because the doctors do call it touch ups but in reality it is the whole thing over again with a free or less expensive price tag.

The real factor to consider is what machine is used. The technology of each machine will provide slightly different results and healing times.

I was opertated on my Dr. Virgillio Galvis in Bucaramanga and I can definitly recomend him to anyone looking to get it done. Even though I speak quite a bit of Spanish, he even spoke to me in English durring the proceedure to make me feel calmer. Wonderful doctor with great technology. He might even be the best in Colombia as I have been told this by many people.

vicshere says on Sep 12, 2007, 08:40:

how much did you pay adrienne?

listo

rmykita says on Sep 12, 2007, 10:19:

contacts - 8 days before? NO way, try three weeks minimum...I have surgery on Friday, rescheduled becuase cornea was not settled. Going to Optilaser, happy so far...

Ryan
ryan_mykita at hotmail.com

msaucey says on Sep 12, 2007, 10:20:

Well, I've had glasses/contacts for like 15 years... My doctors have told me that I'm a great candidate for lasik at this point, since my vision hasn't changed in about 4 years... I did have to get my tear ducts plugged when I started wearing contacts, because I wasn't producing enough tears.... So, now my eyes water... wonder if they'll recommend that I should have them unplugged?.... But, I'm going to Clinica Barraquer in Bogota, and from my understanding it's one of the best places to go....

And poco, I wasn't talking about consumer products are cheaper or anything like that, but the Lasik surgery in Colombia is 70% cheaper then it is in the states.... I'm looking to pay about $1,500 vs $5,000....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

adrienne79 says on Sep 12, 2007, 11:09:

Vic,
The surgery itself cost me 2,000,000.
There was also a consulation with a bunch of eye exams before the surgery and it cost around 150,000.
The cost of the surgery also included the appointnment the day after and an appointment that they scedule 3 to 6 months afterwards.
If I need touch ups (actually the surgery all over again) it is included in the price.
There is also a cost for some perscribed eye drops but like I said before, I only bought the antibiotics which cost about 40,000.

adrienne79 says on Sep 12, 2007, 11:12:

oh and I was only without contacts for 7 days prior to the surgery. No problem at all.

msaucey says on Sep 12, 2007, 11:28:

Yup... I was told 7 days to....So, I'm readjusting to my glasses and it's driving me crazy!.... But, they told me I look Hot!... But, my friend likes that school teacher look.... discipline and punishment!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

houstongal says on Sep 12, 2007, 12:25:

I had a friend in France who got it done last week. They told her 3 days without contacts was sufficient. I know for me it was a week 4 years ago. Good luck MS...you'll love not having to deal with glasses or contacts.....at least until it's time for reading glasses!

bickerss says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:21:

had lasik done in colombia amd went out that night. That wa snot the advice from the doc though. I did take his advice on swimming and refrained for about 3 weeks.

msaucey says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:34:

Thanks HG... I know, I've been thinking about it for a while, but dang it... it's time.... 15 years is enough....

bickerss, I'll keep the swimming part in mind... I'm supposed to go to los Termales in San Vicente too.... But, I wasn't planing on openning my eyes under water.. :-)

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

Lostgringo says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:55:

Hey Bickers did you go out to the same place in Bogata as me too? Glad to see you are still around. Adrienn79 those were almost the exact costs I paid last year at Clinica Barraquer in Bogota.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

msaucey says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:01:

LG, I'm going to Clinica Barraquer in Bogota, can you tell me about your experience... Thanks, I've heard great things, but a little extra always helps...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

podborski says on Sep 12, 2007, 16:04:

hey ms, be careful about going anywhere near hot baths/pools that are not private...that's about the ONLY thing you can't do!

lpdiver says on Sep 12, 2007, 19:56:

WOW the prices sure vary. I brought my wifes friend from from Sarasota to the eye doctor and she paid $800,000 pesos. That was in Medellin though.

T

"cook some rice!"

Man Tequila says on Sep 13, 2007, 00:22:

Heck, for $3,000,000 I can get it done in Canada. (Edited since originally wrote $300,000 in error.)

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

vicshere says on Sep 13, 2007, 09:20:

man T??? 150 bucks an eye???

listo

msaucey says on Sep 13, 2007, 09:41:

lp... yeah, I've heard it can be cheaper in different areas... But, I've heard this Clinica is one of the top one's in Colombia.... So, my prices will be like 183.000 for the appointment, 450.000 for the exams, 2'500.000 for the actual surgery... So, roughly about $1,500 U.S.

thanks pod for the warning.... I might not go into the water in Termales if that's the case, just hike in the area...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

Lostgringo says on Oct 6, 2007, 15:54:

msaucey are you sure about the costs? I have a feeling it may may be a little cheaper. I met with Jose Barraquer. He is the son of the famous Dr. Barraquer. He (his father), is considered by many as one of the founders of Lasik Surgery. After all the tests and consultation your appointment for the surgery is set. I waited in a room with 3 other people before going in for the surgery. They provided coffee, cookies and sandwiches. You are in hospital garb and a nurse comes in with drops for your eyes. In about 5 minutes your eyes are totally frozen. You can see and everything but if someone poked you in the eye you would not feel it. They take you into to the operating room and you lay on a table. No needles nothing. Only the drops of freezing given to you by the nurse. Dr. Barraquer talked to me all the time while completing the operation. He speaks perfect English and went to a Catholic High School in Toronto, Canada. You are instructed to keep your eyes focused and on a dot. You are looking into some kind of screen...hard to explain. You are there for what seems like 30 seconds. They keep you in the recovery room for a little while and off you go. You go back a few times for follow up. I had to have one eye operated on twice as the first op did not take a well as it should have.

Also, while going through the process of evaluating what I needed to have done the Dr. suggested I may want to have my eye lids done via plastic surgery. They were really droopy and I had pretty big bags under my eyes. He referred me to a friend of his...Dr. Afanador and I had that done also. I think it was only $1,000 to have that done (Colombia prices). Dr. Afanador (sp) spoke perfect English too and is a great guy. Along with the eye surgery I was given a few spa treatments. The spa was unbelievable! Free massage, aroma therapy, mode music and a huge swimming pool. They also had a hair saloon there. The hair saloon is owned by an American. This place is UPPER class in every way.
I don't know what to add but if you need any more info please feel free to PM me.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

lpdiver says on Oct 6, 2007, 16:01:

Well you have to factor in the gringo iva. I got a very high quote for my eyes. My Colombian friend got both eyes done at the same clinic for $400.00 US.

t

"cook some rice!"

Lostgringo says on Oct 6, 2007, 20:59:

lpdiver well there you go. I was perhaps wrong in terms of thinking what I paid was the gringo tax. A little more research and ability to speak good Spanish could have helped.

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

lpdiver says on Oct 7, 2007, 03:30:

LostGringo...yup the gringo iva is alive and very real. An unrepresented gringo will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pay more. Exito and cabs are the main exceptioins I can think of.

t

"cook some rice!"

msaucey says on Oct 8, 2007, 07:58:

LostGringo.... Well, your process seems to have been the same as mine.... It may be that the price has gone up.... Dra. Carmen Barraquer (the daughter of the famous founding father) and brother to Jose Barraquer is who did my eyes.... Overall, my cost came down a by 400,000 COP because I didn't schedule the 3 month follow-up... But, which means that with consulation, exams, operation and facility charges it was about $1,200-1,300 USD... And I'm going to say that the gringo factor wasn't an issue on my part, since, I inquired about the price before I showed up for my first exam and the quoted price was 2'050.00COP for the surgery alone plus everything else.... and when I made my appointment, I gave my colombian address, and after all, I may look a little foreign but I'm still half colombian... But, I must say that they did treat me exceptionally well, and I could not have asked for a better doctor with such amazing experience... I am going back next year for a follow-up, but I think I will need to have one I redone.... I'm currently at 20/22... But, way better then where I was at.... lpdiver, it may also depend on where you're friend might have had the surgery done.... Barraquer is the most expensive clinic in Colombia, but that's because they are also the best in the country....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

lpdiver says on Oct 10, 2007, 23:07:

msaucy it was in Medellin in the Laureles area. At $1,200 to $1,300 you are starting to get into gringo land prices. I do agree that you get much better care in Colombia as far as I can tell.

t

"cook some rice!"