Do you think Costa Rica is safe for cosmetic surgery?
i want to get a tummy tuck and while at it a breast lift or breast implants (silicone ones now that they r safer). also may need a small bit of liposcution. a plastic surgeon near my home told me the price tag for all this work would be more than 20k. Wowza. So that made me start reseacrhing and looking for alts like going abroad for surgery. Costa rica sounds most appealing for a recovery. but is costa rica safe for cosmetic surgery? bad infections more likely? hard to communicate with your doctor? etc. thnks v. much
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30 posts
26 Mar 2008
you should be able to have that surgery by a board certified plastic surgeon for around 15000 or less. I have operated in Central America and the sterility and safety standards are not adequate. I wouldn't do it. If you really want to travel south africa would be the only country if would even go near.
unregistered guest
14 Apr 2008
I wouldn't do it, I have seen news shows showing women that went and had emergency hospital complications after they flew home and had to get reconstruction surgery and even then never looked the same. America has all the board certified rules of conduct and a government to answer to. I wouldn't do it if you paid me to. Do it right, check out three places or more first, check to see if they are part of the plastic surgeon's board certification program. Good luck!
42 posts
26 Apr 2008
hello, yes Costa Rica is safe for plastic surgery,but as with anywhere,you must research well. i had facial surgery in CR ,i looked good for about 3 months....now i look no different than before.! i thought i had chosen wisely but i dont believe many doctors are good at faces and bodies.? my doctor seems very good with body precedures.! it was very very busy while i was there,and to my mind it was a conveyor belt.!
1 post
9 May 2008
I just got back from Costa Rica. I had Liposuction on my stomach, chin, and waist. Also had upper eyelid surgery for about 3,800 total. I couldn't be happier with the results!!! Dr. Rosenstock p.s. I saved thousands.
42 posts
9 May 2008
i am delighted you are happy with your results Char,but its a tad to early to be sure of your results if you have only just returned home.? good luck anyway.!
1 post
21 May 2008
I had my nose done in costa rica for less than a third of the price that it would normally cost, and they were so nice at the hospital, took care of everything and the results were amazing! Even if money wasn't an issue i would choose costa rica over any other place for surgery, and I recommend this to everyone!
4 posts
25 May 2008
We are all concerned about saving money, of course. However, a point to consider is that if there are complications, the legalities involved could make it impractical. Trying to sue an M.D. in a foreign country would be a nightmare at best, impossible at worst. The expense involved, were it even a possibility, would make it impractical. I see stories about what a great idea doing this would be because of the opportunity to have a vacation. I would be so nervous about the upcoming surgery that I would want to get it over with as soon as arriving. I felt like living hell after my surgeries. I could not have enjoyed anything for a month or more, and the idea of having to fly afterwards sounds like a true nightmare.
42 posts
26 May 2008
i agree totally Patricia. one point to consider if going to Costa Rica: its legally impossible to sue a Costarican doctor as they are protected by law.! i believe CR doctors must be laughing all the way to the bank,because the possibility of us returning for revisions is very low,given that most of us live thousands of miles away.? travel and accomodation costs ,for most of us,makes it untenable.! 9 months on and scars above my eyes are very visable,(vertical instead of horozontal) and my vision is still quite impaired,when i look sharply,left or right,i get double vision.! the doctor in question says to go back ! do i want to go back for more of the same.?
3 posts
12 Nov 2008
I am a medical tourism facilitator who also worked in US hospital patient safety for 16 years. Essentially "medical tourists" are the people going abroad for surgery, and I act much like a travel agent. However, my primary role is educating medical travelers about safety and ensuring they get connected with reputable and qualified hospitals and doctors. There are a lot of things you need to know before considering travel for surgery, and the fact that you can save up to 75% is not the only one! First and foremost, make sure you are going to a hospital that has been accredited by an agency such as Joint Commission International. This credential is a stamp of approval for hospital quality. Second, by working with an accredited hospital that caters to medical tourists, you will get access to the best and brightest of their medical team as well as extra services to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Third, consider working with a travel facilitator who has visited each hospital and is experienced with the process. A reputable facilitator will not charge you for their services. Rather, they get a referral commission from the hospital or doctor. Essentially, we do the marketing and travel planning for them so they can focus on taking care of their patients. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is NOT a third world country. In my experience, their Ministry of Health is as dedicated to quality care as the regulatory bodies in the US... if not more so! Finally, consider other destinations... El Salvador has a wonderful plastic surgeon who trained in the US and maintained a practice in Miami before returning home to his family in El Salvador. And the larger cities in Mexico have fantastic teaching hospitals that rival most of those in the US. Medical travel can be a safe and affordable option for plastic surgery, just be sure you work with pros and plan well!
505 posts
18 Dec 2008
Hi- In my practice I see a patient once a month who had surgery in Central or South America and now has a complication requiring treatment by me. Their original desire to save money is defeated by the need for a second operation and management of the complications- to say nothing of this resulting in them not getting what they wanted aesthetically. Of course, it is impossible to know without an exam, and discussion of your goals, but in my practice the operation you describe could be done for much less than $20,000 (~$12-14000)-- if you look carefully you will find a surgeon you can trust who offers good value for your hard earned money.