POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Lipodystrophy & Metabolic Problems => Topic started by: poz4afewyears on April 08, 2009, 12:29:47 am
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Today, April 7th 2009, I went to Clinica Estetica. I had arranged for a taxi/van service to pick me up and drop me off before I came out to San Diego. The taxi service was $100 roundtrip which is not that bad considering it had air conditioning and a nice looking driver. :) Driving over the border was extremely easy, no more wait then just waiting at a stop light in the United States. I had heard a lot of bad things about the border areas recently which is why I opted to get the taxi service, although I wouldn't drive in a country with such a corrupt police system anyway. However, I should have known better. I never felt threatened at all or like I was in danger. When I was 19 I studied abroad in Mexico for 3 months and people tried to scare me, but there was nothing to worry about. Anywho, the taxi/van dropped me off right in front of the clinic and I was not walking aimlessly around Tijuana.
As soon as I came in I was greeted by Rocio, who is very pretty. For some reason I imagined her as some "Ugly Betty". I filled out some paper work and that was that. There were a few attractive young ladies in the clinic, too, getting procedures done. So just because you walk in there does not mean you are HIV+. The clinic is like a very nice apartment. Very relaxing. They have a fountain with running water to create soothing sounds. I was then taken back by Rocio to the room where I was to have my procedure done. Doctor Morales Otanez came in and she asked me what my treatment goals were and where I thought I needed the treatment. I drew on my face with marker to indicate the places I thought needed the most treatment. I was not entirely confident in Doctor Morales Otanez's english skills, but I speak pretty decent spanish so I was not worried.
She injected my face with Lidocaine which was actually kind of painful, but after that all I felt was pressure from the canulla. The canulla was REALLY REALLY scary. I kept my eyes closed the entire time, because the sight of the canulla made me shake. The movements inside my face were also really scary, but my fears were unfounded. I was just really worried I was going to get my eye put out.
I finished at 11:30 am and my taxi service wasn't going to be there until 1:00 pm, so I walked outside to get some tacos and fanta. I also bought some prescription drugs that aren't covered by my insurance in the states. Doctor Morales Otanez was kind enough to write me scripts for what I needed. When I first made my appointment they told me I would need to buy an anti-inflammatory from them as well as an anti-biotic. They were kind of insistant about it, but when I got there I explained that I am allegeric to many classes of anti-biotics.
I thanked them endlessly for the services they provide for the HIV+ community. They did me a favour and allowed me to lock in the discounted price they were offering over Christmas which was very nice of them. I enjoyed talking to the staff about my family in Spain and Puerto Rico and practising my Spanish. Rocio advised me on the best days to come to avoid large holdups at border crossing.
People really tried to scare me about the medical care in Mexico but those fears are unfounded. Mexico actually has really good healthcare if you can afford it. I have an internet buddy who got a sex change in Thailand awhile ago after seeing the girl on "The Real World" who had it done there. The doctors wore gloves and changed them frequently. Everyone washed their hands often. All of the needles were sealed. The floors were clean, the bathrooms were clean, the waiting room was clean, everything was nice and in working order.
Getting back over the border was almost as easy as going across. I was back at my hotel an hour after leaving the clinic. I got to eat some really good churros while waiting at border crossing.
I will update when I know more about the results of the treatment, but I am hopeful.
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Wow, am glad you're doing this and sharing it so freely. From your other postings, this is a really healthy move.
I do wish you had someone else accompany you though. Happy healing. -YaKa
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Great post. Thanks for sharing. Traversing border crossing on your own is just as easy. From downtown, take red trolley southbound to last stop, San Ysidro ($5 day pass if you order ticket online; sent via US mail). Walk across through a winding walkway and couple of turnstyle gates. Take a cab to clinic ($7). Cost: $20.00 roundtrip.
(Cabs: Just outside border crossing gates; they are always waiting at that spot.) Reverse order to return to San Diego. Avoid holidays. The line crossing back into USA is ridiculously long then. It took me 3 hrs once.
I PM'd you. Check your forum mailbox.
Mike
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I live in LA. If I were to drive down, is there parking at the entry point where one can walk across to Tijuana?
I walked across 33 years ago, so even if I did remember I'm sure it's changed.
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From the window of the procedure room I could see parking lots.
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I live in LA. If I were to drive down, is there parking at the entry point where one can walk across to Tijuana?
I walked across 33 years ago, so even if I did remember I'm sure it's changed.
USA side: yes......charging by hour/day.
Mike
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I will update when I know more about the results of the treatment, but I am hopeful.
Hey ;)
Too soon for an update? Just wondering. Gracias ;)
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They said 4 to 6 weeks to see the full effect. I am almost at week 3. I was REALLY REALLY REALLY swollen for the first few days, but the swelling went away very quickly after that. Then the results were almost completely gone, but they have been "building up" more and more each day. People are starting to tell me that I look different, but they aren't sure what it is. This one woman I know told me that I look really young all of a sudden. Even younger then my 23 years of age. I told her about the clinic because she is always talking about getting something done.
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i've been to CLINICA ESTETICA SEVERAL TIMES BU THE LAST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 YRS AGO,WOULD I BE ABLE TO CROSS THE BORDER WITHOUT A PASSPORT?
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No, not anymore. You would need a passport OR a passport card.