Unimaginable experience

Dr. Mejia was the first surgeon I found during my search for out-of-state plastic surgeons. I’ll admit, I should’ve searched for more surgeons and read more reviews. Instead, I was given a coordinator (Claudia) who added me to Dr. Mejia’s WhatsApp group chat. I decided to secure a date with Dr. Mejia based on the results of previous dolls from his group chat. I paid my deposit and was given a surgery date. I purchased a round trip flight ($450+). I was advised to complete a CBC and PCR Covid test before travel. I completed 2 Covid tests that came back negative.  After a couple of weeks, I moved my surgery date up since I completed my finals early. I arrived in the Dominican Republic five days early. On the day of arrival (Friday) I completed initial blood work at Cecilip. The next day (Saturday) I received a PCR Covid test. On Monday, I took another Covid test. I was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I completed an EKG, met with a Psychologist, Pulmonologist (additional $300), and Cardiologist. I was told that my EKG from Friday came back abnormal. I was scheduled for a CT scan (additional $180+). The scan came back fine. On Tuesday afternoon (day before surgery), I met with Dr. Mejia who told me I needed more testing before surgery. I took a Covid antibody test that evening. I have never tested positive for Covid. I was told my surgery would be moved to Thursday. On Wednesday, I met with Dr. Mejia briefly for him to tell me that the 2 Covid Antibody tests came back positive. SARS 2 was 20+ and SARS 1 was 5. I was advised to stay 7 more days or receive a refund. I took the refund because at that point I was overwhelmed with the poor communication and unpleasant experience with the referred recovery house (Bombshell).  Throughout my stay in D.R., I was picked up several times by different drivers without being notified by my coordinator or Dr. Mejia’s staff, which was stressful. The drivers were told to pick me up for testing that wasn’t included in the surgery package deal, but no one was explaining why so much testing was needed. On Wednesday (supposed day of surgery), I received a refund and changed my flight to return home the next day. I asked for all documentation of test results and his staff didn’t provide them. I messaged his staff on the day of departure requesting test results be mailed to my home address and to be contacted after 7 days about steps I could possibly take to be cleared while in the U.S. before returning for surgery. I never heard from the staff or coordinator. Dr. Mejia and his staff made me feel like they were unconcerned about the amount of money I spent to travel there, be away from my family, and to be turned down for surgery. The refund didn’t include the deposit ($350) which I feel I’m owed now because I kept my end of the deal, but Dr. Mejia and his staff didn’t contact me with the possibility of rescheduling surgery for a future date. There is poor communication and lack of concern for those bringing business from thousands of miles away from home.  I respect Dr. Mejia’s decision to keep me safe but I have received consultations in the U.S. with surgeons who complete surgery for women who have positive Covid antibody tests, as long as the PCR test is negative. I think Dr. Mejia should request Covid Antibody tests instead of PCR tests before travel to decrease the waste of time and money to the Dominican Republic to be denied surgery. I wasted $1,200+ on airfare and testing in D.R. to end up returning home to begin researching plastic surgeons again. I have all of the texts to verify most of my experience with his staff. I hope this helps someone become better informed.