Gastroenterology in Mexicali

Gastroenterology is the field of medicine focused on the normal function and diseases of the digestive system or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, as well as colon and rectum. Doctors who specialize in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. They are trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system. Some of the conditions that these specialists can treat include:

• Ulcers
• Acid reflux
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Polyps or growth that can occur in the large intestine (colon)
• Hepatitis C
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Bloody stool
• Hemorrhoids
• Colon and bowel cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Colitis
• Pancreatitis 

While gastroenterologists can treat diseases of the digestive system, they do not perform surgery. If surgery is required they will work with or refer patients to a gastrointestinal surgeon. The following are a range of nonsurgical procedures that gastroenterologists perform:

• Colonoscopy to detect colon polyps and colon cancer
• Endoscopic ultrasound to examine the upper and lower GI tract
• Sigmoidoscopy to assess blood loss or pain in the bowel
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to identify tumors, gallstones, or scar tissue in the bile duct
• Capsule endoscopy to examine the small intestine
• Liver biopsy to examine fibrosis and inflammation
• Polypectomy to remove a polyp.

How Long Should I Stay in Mexicali?

The type of procedure that you undergo determines your length of stay in Mexicali. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital or clinic on the same day. However, you generally need to stay in Mexicali for around a week for follow up appointments and to let your body recover before you can travel. If you undergo a diagnostic procedure, your doctor will discuss the results and create a treatment plan during the follow-up appointment.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time for gastroenterology procedures range from a day to 2 weeks, or sometimes longer, depending on the type of procedure. During the recovery period, it is important to avoid any strenuous activities. Your gastroenterologist will let you know the specific time you can resume your normal activities, go back to work, and perform vigorous exercises.

What Aftercare is Required?

It is crucial that you follow all of the instructions closely, to prevent the problem from getting worse or from reoccurring, you may need to make some dietary and lifestyle changes. You may also need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition. You can have the checkups at home with your local doctor, or with your gastroenterologist in Mexicali.

What's the Success Rate?

Advances in gastroenterology have increased the safety and success rate of treatments. The diagnostic procedures offer high accuracy in finding problems within the gastrointestinal tract, and the treatments are found to be highly successful to treat conditions in the digestive system. For example, a colonoscopy now has a 94% success rate in capturing all colorectal cancer. Still, there are some risks to the procedures that you will need to be aware of, such as a tear in the intestine’s lining, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to the equipment or medication used during the procedure, organ perforation, infection, and incomplete removal (for removal of polyps).

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience problems in your digestive system and it is found to be caused by something else that is outside the gastroenterologists’ scope of practice, they will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Gastroenterology in and around Mexicali

About Mexicali

Mexicali is a Mexican desert city with a population of 1 million and is situated on the Mexico-USA border, adjacent to its sister city Calexico, California. It is also the capital city of the state of Baja California. The small, yet, modernized business and the industrial city is well known for its highly educated population and also for the high standard of living. The city's close proximity to the US makes it an ideal weekend getaway spot for the Americans.

The main draw for tourists in Mexico is undoubtedly the medical care provided. In just the previous year, over 150,000 medical tourists touched down in Mexicali. These patients didn't only travel from neighboring USA, but also from regions as far-flung as Canada, Europe, and other global corners, truly highlighting the international appeal of medical tourism in Mexico.

Mexicali has a high-level infrastructure for medical care. A wide network of private and public hospitals, such as Hospital de la Familia and Hospital Hispano Americano, and clinics and laboratories guarantee specialized care. The city has 19 world-class hospitals, 418 dental consulting rooms, and 241 specialty consulting rooms.

Mexicali's medical sector, certified as per US standards, boasts skilled doctors and surgeons proficient in performing a wide spectrum of medical procedures. One unique advantage is the absence of waiting time with prompt and efficient services. Furthermore, the post-operative care provided is of exceptional quality, offering patients comprehensive support and guidance during recovery.

Affordability is a key feature of health care facilities and services in Mexicali. When drawn in comparison with the USA, medical costs can yield savings of up to 60%. Additionally, dental services come at roughly 70% cheaper, while prescribed medicines can be procured at a staggering 75% less, making Mexicali an attractive and pocket-friendly destination for medical tourism.

The hospitals cater to their medical tourists by providing exclusive transportation facilities, ensuring utmost convenience and ease. Additionally, they can assist in securing accommodations in top-tier hotels at appealing rates, thereby making the entire medical tourism experience a comfortable and hassle-free one.

Popular Areas in Mexicali

Mexicali is a compact city, full of life and entertainment. You can find a decent number of expatriates living here, most of them being Americans. Although the cost of living is cheaper when compared to that in the US, housing is expensive. San Pedro is the most expensive neighborhood in Mexicali. Los Pinos, Jardines Del Valle, Villafontana, Zona Dorada, Calle Novena, and Independencia are some of the popular residential localities of the city.

Nestled in the neighborhood of La Chinesca, a flourishing community of around 15,000 Chinese expats and immigrants thrives. Bearing the mark of its diverse population, La Chinesca boasts a sizable collection of Chinese restaurants, offering a gastronomic portal to China amidst the Mexican landscape.

The nightlife is lively and exciting with a variety of bars and clubs and most of the bars stay open to the wee hours of the morning serving drinks and food. Lined with family-friendly hotels and guesthouses, the city offers a wonderful array of entertainment and cultural venues and has several theatres, water parks, and museums.

Situated to the south of Mexicali, in the Gulf of California, the picturesque San Felipe reveals itself. It is graced with breathtakingly scenic beaches, hosting a variety of water sports for the adventurous at heart. Additionally, the town serves up delicious fresh seafood, adding a gastronomic delight to the visual spectacle.

Embedded in the desert landscape, the awe-inspiring Guadalupe Canyon emerges as an oasis. Flanked by lush palm trees, this enclave features natural pools and waterfalls, carving out a serene sanctuary amidst the otherwise barren surroundings.

Weather and Climate in Mexicali

Mexicali experiences a dry climate due to its minimal rainfall, receiving an average annual precipitation as slight as 79 mm. With an average annual temperature of 22.5°C, the climate is generally warm, to hot. The most comfortable periods for a visit fall between early April to mid-June, and from September to November when temperatures are most agreeable.

Summer and winter are the prominent seasons in Mexicali.

• Summer: April to October. Summer is hot and dry. July is the warmest month of the year, with an average temperature of 33°C. The temperature during the afternoon can reach 40°C. It barely rains during the summer. May is the driest month with zero precipitation.
• Winter: November to March. December, January, and February are cool yet dry. The month of January receives the maximum amount of rain and it is the coldest month of the year. At times, the temperature may even drop to 12.5°C during the winter months.

Getting around in Mexicali

General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport is conveniently located just 20 km outside of Mexicali city. Numerous private and commercial flights operate from this hub, connecting Mexicali to a variety of cities across Mexico and the USA.

The city's main bus station is located a mere 4 km from downtown Mexicali, easily accessible by taxi or public bus from the city center. Once at the station, a network of direct coaches links Mexicali to other major Mexican cities. For visitors arriving from the United States, entry to Mexicali can be accomplished through Calexico, its twin city, along Highway 111. Do note that most of these highways are toll roads.

However, the local bus is the cheapest means of transportation. Some of the metro buses are air-conditioned with TV screens. Taxis are easy to find and are reasonably priced.

Tourist Visa in Mexicali

Visa exemptions for Mexico - Citizens of 67 countries, including Europe, Canada, Australia, and the USA, are exempt from obtaining a visa to visit Mexico for up to 180 days.

Visa requirements for citizens of India, China, Russia, and other countries - Citizens of India, China, Russia, and a few other countries need to obtain a tourist visa in advance before entering Mexico. The visa is valid for six months and a single entry, and an extension may be possible. You must enter Mexico within 90 days of the issue of the visa.

Tourist visa fee - The tourist visa fee for citizens of India is $22 USD.

To be eligible for a Mexican tourist visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure from Mexico.
• You must have sufficient funds to support your stay in Mexico.
• You must have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.
• You must not have any criminal record.

Additional Information

1. The Mexican currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). The Mexican peso is pegged to the US dollar, and the exchange rate fluctuates slightly on a daily basis. As of today, October 11, 2023, one US dollar is equivalent to approximately 19.6 Mexican pesos.
2. Most people in Mexicali speak Spanish, followed by a few indigenous languages. The majority of the locals understand and speak good English.
3. There are ATMs all over Mexicali, but none of them dispense US dollars. You will need to exchange your US dollars for Mexican pesos at a bank or money exchange bureau. Most major credit cards are accepted in restaurants and resorts in Mexicali.
4. Approximately 77% of the population of Mexicali is Roman Catholic. Other religions practiced in Mexicali include Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam.
5. New Year's Eve, Constitution day (February 4), Birthday of Benito Ju (March 18), Good Friday, Independence Day (September 16), Revolution Day (November 18), Christmas day are some of the public holidays in the city.