Question:
Plastic surgery out of US

Hello, I know I still have a lot to loose but I would like to start researching plastic surgeons in US and of the country. And I actually really interested in Costa Rica their prices are good and it seems like they have qualified doctors there. I found one website about some surgeons in Costa Rica http://www.arrivacostarica.com/home.htm. If you had plastic surgery in US out of the country and have information about doctors and your experience I will greatly appreciated. And my price range that I might afford is no more than $15.000 and it is for more than one procedure. Thank you Julia    — JuliaV (posted on July 21, 2004)


July 21, 2004
I had WLS in Ensenada Mexico (Dr. Aguirre) and I had plastic surgery in Rosarito Beach Mexico (Dr. Gongora). I had very, very good experiences with both surgeons. I have good aftercare locally with my PCP and surgeons here. I had Lower Body Lift, BL (no implants), Inner Thigh Lift (pantyline incision) and lipo done at one time. Dr. Gongora greatly discounts if you have multiple procedures done at one time. His website is www.genesisclinic.net. The price was amazing. I negotiated with him and was shocked when he agreed to my negotiations. If you are interested in details, email me at [email protected]. I had all my procedures done during one 6.5 hour surgery and I'm really glad I did it all at one time. Recovery was much tougher than WLS but I had virtually no pain with WLS and plastics took much longer for me to be mobile, up and about. One reason was drains which I had for 3 weeks and were so darn big I didn't want to leave the house. Once those things were removed, it was smooth sailing. good luck in your search!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 21, 2004
Hi Julia, i had plastic sx in Quito Equador by Dr victor hugo flores. he was excellent. i had Lipo, abdominalplasty and a butt lift. he was hand picked by Pitanquy (the father of plastic sx) anyway not only was i a patient, but my second visit including me wastching him perform his magic on others. what a great experiance. email me for more info if you like. Ciao Tracey
   — traceybubbles

July 22, 2004
Prior to my WLS I went to Costa Rica for a facelift. That was six years ago and I'm told I look at least 15 years younger than I am (57). My WLS was two years ago this month and last November I went back to Costa Rica and got a tummy tuck and a little tuck behind my ears for my neck. I am completely satisfied with the work I had done.
   — Ellen S.

July 22, 2004
This is NOT a slam for going out of the country. But an FYI to think about "what if" I had terrible complications with my T.T. and had to return to my PS office many times over a 6 month period. It was a pain he was 60 miles away and someone had to drive me. This is JUST AN FYI to think about. Best of luck!
   — ZZ S.

July 23, 2004
Don't forget about Canada :) If you live near the Canadian border, check out our board certified PS. There is a favourable exchange rate on US$ here too. If procedures are priced at $10,000 CDN $, it would only be about $6,000 US$ (40% exchange rate)
   — mary ann T.

July 23, 2004
Julia, I checked the website you linked to, and from what I saw there, you would save money by going to Dr. Cavalcanti in Curitiba, Brazil. He is recommended by Dr. Marchesini (who did my WLS). I had my eyes done while there for WLS and will be going back when I have lost all my weight for all the other plastic surgery I will need. There is a yahoo group for his patients. Best of luck! Nina
   — Nina W.

July 23, 2004
Negative answer here, but you deserve all the info you can get. A qualified surgeon is only part of the picture. Realize that the blood supply, medications, and hospital regulations are almost non-existant south of the border. The smaller clinics operate with almost no regulation. You have no insurance coverage, no legal protection, and a difficult time returning for followup care. As a Texas plastic surgeon, I treat patients each month who've had problems and have a hard time getting followup care. Also see the link from June 18th about 12 women who went overseas and became infected in over a 9 month period...the CDC is still investigating this one. http://www.meritcare.com/news/world/viewarticle.asp?id=15570 It is my experience also that patients who have had poor results are too ashamed and often feel guilty about going overseas, and therefore do not talk about their experiences.
   — DrL




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