By Zoila Palma: Jose Abelardo Mai, Area Representative for Orange Walk South and former Minister of Agriculture, has returned home following a successful surgery in Guatemala.
In early March, Mai travelled to Guatemala seeking specialized treatment for a chronic spinal condition that was made worse following an incident in 2024.
In an exclusive interview with Breaking Belize News (BBN), Mai said that following extensive consultations with medical colleagues in Belize and Mexico, the specialist in Guatemala, confirmed that the issues with his lower vertebrae (L4, L5, S1) were serious and warranted urgent medical attention. However after careful evaluation and further detailed studies, the team of doctors led by Dr. Rene Rayo concluded that the problems of the lower back were directly caused by the defects in both legs but more so, the worn condition of the right knee. As a result, Mai said, the experts opted to do a complete knee replacement operation instead.
Orthopedic Expert, Dr. Rayo advised that the vertebrae is affected when weight is placed disproportionately on one leg causing herniated and worn discs. Cases like these have been addressed with other patients in the past. According to the specialists, surgery is a part of the integrated process which may be corrected in the medium to long run but will require long term therapy, life style changes and patient’s will and determination.
According to Mai, it is the hope that the knee replacement will ease the pressures on the lower vertebrae by distributing the weight and reduce the need to address these spinal problems immediately.
Evaluation every three months will be required Mai said.
Following the surgery, Mai spent 16 days in Guatemala recovering.
Breaking Belize News joins constituents, government colleagues and Belizeans in extending get-well and recovery wishes to Mai.
The post Jose Mai returns home after successful surgery in Guatemala appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Jose Abelardo Mai, Area Representative for Orange Walk South and former Minister of Agriculture, has returned home following a successful surgery in Guatemala. In early March, Mai travelled to Guatemala seeking specialized treatment for a chronic spinal condition that was made worse following an incident in 2024. In an exclusive interview with
The post Jose Mai returns home after successful surgery in Guatemala appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
