Mid-50s Athlete Wanting Smaller Breast to Relieve Discomfort, Couldn't Get Insurance Coverage. Mexico, MX

Part Two - The Trip

I used airline points for a free flight to San Diego and was picked up and driven to the Cosmed clinic in the Vida Boutique Hotel van.

Aside from Dr. Quiroz, my main contact at Cosmed during the booking process was named Christine and she and all of the other staff there were very nice and helpful. This included the van drivers, the med techs, the surgical tech, the front desk staff, the food service gals, and even the facilities staff that I encountered.

The clinic is as professional as any U.S. clinic I've been to (having surgeries in the past for sports injuries).

During the consultation at the clinic, Dr. Quiroz very kindly answered my questions. He is a very nice man and is very straight-forward. I wanted smaller breasts as I am an athlete and Dr. Quiroz explained what type of results I should expect, given my starting point. He took photos and with a marker, drew the lines needed for the surgery. I was happy with this discussion.

Dr. Estrada, the anesthesiologist had great bedside manner and I came through the procedure feeling very good.

After the procedure, I was given antibiotics and tramadol for pain. Both drugs cost an additional $68. I was told to expect up to $150. The tramadol worked fine for me. I did bring with me additional pain meds that I already had, but never used them.

After the surgery, I had opted to stay in the recovery hotel at an extra $150/night for three nights (three nights is what Dr. Quiroz recommended) and am very glad that I did. I was brought to my hotel room in a wheelchair; the room was on a different floor of the clinic. No walking needed.

The hotel room was contemporary in design and was comfortable with a hospital bed, hospital table that goes over the bed, flat-screen TV, chair and table, and bathroom with walk-in shower (I did not shower during this visit).

The hotel fee included the room, three meals a day brought to you on a tray (very good, healthy food), and nursing care. My dressings were changed two to three times a day by very nice medical techs. I was brought extra water, tea, and any other food I wanted by request as well.

Dr. Quiroz saw me the day after surgery on his rounds. I was awake and eating breakfast when he arrived. There was nothing to look at as I was bandaged, but we had a nice chat.

After a second day of recovery, I decided to walk the short distance to the small hotel restaurant/lobby area to get extra water myself, plus there was coffee, tea, fruit juice, cookies, fruit, and yogurt available all of the time in this area. I did eat a banana before each dose of tramadol as to not take the drug on an empty stomach.

I had brought a tablet computer and read a few books to pass the time and watched San Diego channels on the TV and slept a fair amount, all of which helped me recover in the early days. I doubt I would have been this still at home! It also really helped to have a hospital bed, which had the head raised to keep me on my back and the chest elevated.

I can't imagine trying to travel after the procedure as I had drains under my breasts and they hurt when I tried to stand up straight.

On my last day, Dr. Quiroz removed the drains (very little fluid draining at this point) and gave me more advice on how to approach the healing process.

I had brought my passport for the return drive to the U.S. and the drop-off ride included the medical paperwork needed to allow us to skip the long lines entering the U.S. There is actually a separate lane for medical patients returning to the U.S. and we drove right through. I felt great and traveled home without issue.

Part One - Pre-Trip

Due to back pain, shoulder grooves, headaches, jaw pain, not too mention the bouncing regardless of wearing two sports bras at the same time, etc., I had wanted a breast reduction for many years (I'm in my mid-50s). After trying with two difference insurance companies, I could not get the procedure approved as medically-necessary because I was too fit and active and my breasts were not big enough to meet the minimum amount of tissue to be removed per my body size (unless I wanted to be a flat A -- I did not).

I went to a few local doctors for consultations and quotes in the $12,000 to $15,000 range (I live in a higher-cost area). My choice was to wait years to save more or go somewhere more affordable.

I chose Dr. Quiroz from the reviews on this site and because Dr. Quiroz is Board-certified and U.S.-trained. I also liked that there was a recovery hotel at the clinic.

I completed a consultation with Dr. Quiroz by email and phone after sending him photos. I hadn't realized until I took photos of myself that I was pretty asymmetrical in breast size as well. Dr. Quiroz said that we get used to seeing our bodies and don't always notice these types of things.

Cosmed clinic was very accommodating to my schedule and the price of $4,200 included the pick-up/drop-off at the San Diego airport, surgeon's fee, hospital fee, anesthesiologist's fee, and the surgical bra.