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Post-Op Recuperation Facility in Costa Rica

I ran across a Costa Rica lodging suggestion for post operative care.  Appeared that the Villa Penitud hosts patients of  several prominent plastic surgeons: Dr. Suarez, Dr. Jorge Mora, Dr. Alejandro Lev,  and Dr. Giovanni Montoya. 

The Villa is also  recommended for post dental procedures from Denta Vac dental facility.

Villa Plenitud is a dedicated post operative recuperation facility comprised of 10 luxury rooms, all equipped with private bathrooms, cable television, telephone, absolute attention to privacy, a spa with Turkish baths, massage, aroma and physiotherapy spa, facials and beauty treatments, pool and Jacuzzi.  We carry full liability insurance for your security and peace of mind. Major emphasis is placed on the preservation of confidentiality and privacy. 

click here for additional information and share your thoughts!

Eyelid Surgery in the tropics

Today I was reading about Dr. Oscar A. Suarez, who offers eyelid surgery in Costa Rica, which he claims requires one day in the hospital and 7 days recuperation after the surgery.

This stimulated me to research this procedure....I found that eyelid surgery is conducted when patients want to address stretched eyelid skin that comes with aging.  The muscles around the eye fatigue, and fat accumulates.  So those "bags" we get above and below our eyes are not just due to lack of sleep (if it were only that easy to address!).  Sometimes these eyelid changes are more serious, interrupting a person's ability to see. 

Blepharoplasty can be done as a single procedure or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift. Recovery time is suppose to be about 10 days. 

Since I'm new to this, would love to have anyone with eyelid surgery (or Dr. Suarez) experiences to share with our readers thoughts, opinions, comments. 

Recover in Luxury: Costa Rica's Las Cumbres Inn Surgical Retreat

Nestled high in the mountains of San Rafael de Escaze, Costa Rica, the Las Cumbres Inn Surgical Retreat appears to offer a beautiful and secure environment to recover from a recent cosmetic, dental or eye surgery.  According to the Inn:

The Las Cumbres Inn is a remarkable nine room inn designed especially for post-operative care.  Unlike typical hotels, the staff at the surgical retreat has been specifically trained to meet the special needs of surgical patients and gives special attention to your comfort and well-being.

I looked up this facility when a friend mentioned she was thinking about visiting Costa Rica, and noted this locale.  What struck me as something special (vs. recovering in seclusion of your bedroom in your home town) is that not only will the staff at Las Cumbres Inn provide the specific medical aftercare prescribed by your surgeon, they also pick up your prescriptions and prepare fresh daily meals that meet your specific dietary needs.  Their post-surgery program includes:

• Three fresh cooked daily meals (soft meals prepared for dental surgery patients)
• Specific, personal care as prescribed in your doctor's post-surgery instructions
• Transportation to and from the airport, hospital and doctor's office

Let me know if you've had any experience with the Las Cumbres Inn and whether to recommend it to our Costa Rica-bound Readers.   It sounds too good to be true!

Breast Augmentation at a Discount in Costa Rica

Perhaps you know this, but breast implants are pads of silicone or saline encased in a rubber-like shell. They look like nipple-less falsies and are surgically implanted generally under the pectoralis muscle (located under the breast).

About 80 percent of breast implants in the world are for cosmetic reasons and 20 percent for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. The number of women undergoing breast augmentation surgery is growing at an incredible pace, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The procedure is fairly simple. A breast implant is a sac of rubbery silicone elastomer, which is placed under the chest tissues through an incision in the nipple or the breast itself. The sac is then filled with a saltwater solution through a valve. There are many plastic surgeons, but top board certified doctors in Costa Rica may be an option for those looking to save money.

The average price for Breast Implants in the U.S. is $7,500. The same procedure in Costa Rica is $2,500. Here are some of the board certified doctors in Costa Rica I located online:

• Dr. Rodrigo Araya 

• Dr. Luis Da Cruz

• Dr. Federico Macaya 

• Dr. Rashi Rosenstock

• Dr. Oscar Suárez

If you are familiar with any of these physicians, please pass along your comments

CheTica Ranch - Recovery from Surgery in Tropical Surroundings

Recently received an email from a reader who spoke highly of the CheTica Ranch, located a short distance from Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose. 

The ranch serves as a recovery facility for patients of several well-known practices in San Jose, including: the Rosenstock -  Lieberman  Clinic,
Dr. Fournier (plastic surgeon),
Dr. Rodrigo Araya (plastic surgeon),
Dr. Olga Vega (Laparoscopic by-pass surgeon),
Dr. Francisco Jose Perdomo A (laser eye surgeon),
and Dr. Luis Kaver (cosmetic dentistry).

The ranch offers (in their own words):

• Careful Medication Management
• Experienced Injection Care (as needed)
• Cold Mask Application
• Bathing Assistance
• Girdle and Dressing Assistance
• Girdle Laundering as Needed
• Transportation to Clinic and/or Pharmacy
• Constant Patient Monitoring (including blood pressure, temperature readings and health conditions in general)
• Relaxing and anti-stress exercises prior to your surgery, optional, on request
• Are you on a special diet? Let us know, so we can prepare your meals accordingly

The ranch website is -->here

Please let us know if you've had any experience with the CheTica Ranch and whether to recommend it to our Costa Rica-bound Readers.

ABC's 20/20 Story: Saving Money on Cosmetic Surgery in Costa Rica

The news program 20/20 recent coverage of Cosmetic Surgery included a story concerning housewives who traveled to Costa Rica for cosmetic procedures:  tummy tucks, liposuction, breast lifts with implants and eyelid surgery.  The physician was Dr. Federico Macaya

While the program references complications incurred by one of the patients, she goes on to state that she couldn't have used a US-based doctor:

"I can't financially. I have no guarantee if I spent $25,000 in the United States to do it, that it wouldn't have gone wrong as well,"

Finally, as a testament to how the Internet is transforming the means by which patients seek out providers and medical care, the story cites that

the women happened to wind up at the same site on the Internet — as they surfed the Web to find affordable cosmetic surgery prices.

What they found online opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

They all learned that Costa Rica — the land of volcanoes, beaches, rain forests — was also the land of low-priced cosmetic surgery. The country is now one of the hottest spots for average Americans looking for an extreme makeover.

Please share comments if you've experienced or considered Costa Rica for plastic surgery or any other medical procedure.

CIMA Hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica

CIMA Hospital in Costa Rica (affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas) is referenced by the US Embassy and U.S. Commercial Service as a leading medical provider in Costa Rica for services that include cosmetic surgery.

A surgeon offering these services at CIMA is Dr. Miguel Alfaro, M.D., who states on his website his extensive training credentials, and education (in addition to pointing out that Costa Rica is less expensive for cosmetic surgery):

 

Dr. Miguel Alfaro, M.D. graduated from University of Costa Rica Medical School. Trained in general surgery at University of Costa Rica, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and University of Missouri, Columbia. He completed Residency studies in plastic reconstructive surgery at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver in 1976. He is currently a faculty member at the Medical School of the University of Costa Rica and has been sponsorship professor at the University of Toronto and the University of Melbourne.

Could not locate any papers he's authored or patient testimonials, so please share if you have any information on Dr. Alfaro (or CIMA).

Dr. Kaver in Costa Rica - Dentist to the Stars (of Costa Rica)

Dr. Kaver's Esthetic and Restorative Dental Clinic provides cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, fillings, bridges, crowns, and tooth whitening.  This firm's website states these services are completed in compliance with ADA standards.

His clientele apparently includes some beauty contest winners too.

Sorry we can't pass along fees charged for services; this information is not listed on their website. 

Costa Rica Dental Services Provider - Meza Dental Services

Meza Dental Services is actively promoting its services online.  The firm, based in the San Jose - the Capital of Costa Rica - lists dental procedures ranging from simple consultations to root canals.  The pricing of the services are competitive; below is an extract from the Meza website.    

X - RAYS

Periapical                                $ 20

Diagnosis set (6)                      $ 90

Panoramic                               $ 50

SURGERY

Tooth Extraction                       $ 60

Implant Surgery                       $ 700

ENDODONTICS

Root Canal (1 Canal)               $ 150

Root Canal (2 Canal)               $ 200

PERIODONTICS

Ultrasonic Cleaning                  $ 85

Cleaning (Polishing)                 $ 55

PROSTODONTICS

Total Denture (each)                 $ 500

Partial Denture                          $550

Base Metal Crown                   $ 200

Porcelain Crown                       $ 350              Gold Crown                             $ 400             Porcelain Veneer                      $ 300

ESTHETICS

Bleaching                      $ 300

If you're familiar with these services, please pass along your experiences.

Costa Rica Dental Providers - as Abundant as the Beaches

There are abundant listings of Costa Rica dental services, but there's very few testimonials to the quality of the dental services.  If you have experience with any, please pass along:

· Dentavac International S.A - Group practice offering a full range of dental services. Describes procedures and treatments and company history.

· Dr. Andrés Fürchtgott Barrios - Cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry. Describes services and contact info.

· Dr. Arnoldo Anglada - Oral surgeon, specialist in bucomaxillofacial implantology. Includes a resume, description of facilities, case studies. [English/Spanish]

· Dr. Kaver's Esthetic and Restorative Dental Clinic - Provides cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, fillings, bridges, crowns, and tooth whitening. Includes information on the staff and procedures.

· Dr. Mario E. Garita DDS - Specializing in dental implants and partial dentures. Includes a curriculum vitae and information about the procedures.

· Dr. Simón Mermelstein - Specialist in dentistry for children and adolescents. Includes and explanation of pediatric and preventive dentistry using sealants, contact info.

· Especialidades Odontológicas - General and pediatric dentistry and oral surgery. Includes information about dental specialties and doctor credentials.

· Meza Dental Care - Comprehensive family dentistry and oral surgery. Includes treatments and services, dental faq's, staff info.

· Pacheco Rawson Oral Rehabilitation Clinic - General dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Provides photos of staff and facilities.

· Adult Dentistry of Costa Rica - Dental and orthodontic treatment, including crowns and cosmetic procedures. Describes clinic and staff.

· Dental Wellness Clinic - Offers cosmetic dentistry. Includes details of the services, faq's and contact info.

Costa Rica, South Africa, & Common Criticisms

The Global reach of medical providers is astounding.  Just in the past week I've discovered countless examples of US citizens traveling abroad for medical care.  Here are some recent findings (again, if you have any additional details on these topics, please pass it along)

Costa Rica  Surgery Cosmetic and Dental Surgery 

The Resort Martino appears to have a Doctor on staff that performs  a wide range of plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures. 

Prisma Dental offers cut rate procedures like implants,  vaneers,  and bleaching.  A testimonial I found regarding these services mentioned the fees  for services were significantly below those offered by Connecticut dentists ($8K vs. $19K-$33K). 

South Africa Plastic Surgery Safari?

CBS reported on a promoter of surgery in South Africa;  Some  interesting bits:  The firm was founded  5  yrs ago by Lorraine Melvill, a  somewhat dated article (7/2002) cites her firm as servicing 20-30 customers per month with annual revenues exceeding  $5M.

Common Criticism of Going Abroad for Medical Procedures

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery warns that it's difficult to check the credentials of foreign doctors and that follow-up care could be problematic.