12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Facelift provider: Not specified
I traveled abroad to have my facelift and eyelift done and have been post-op for three months now. I am very happy with the whole process and especially liked the live-in atmosphere at the clinic and the camaraderie with the other patients.
The surgery itself went smoothly and I was out of it for much of that day. I awoke to the pain from hell and when I felt my face it was all puffed up. I could hardly feel a person under there! When I looked in the mirror for the first time I was also bruised everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE); I didn’t look in the mirror much after that!
Saying all that, I am very confident in the clinic and was treated like royalty. Coming from a first world country I think I was surprised at how I was treated, but then my money was really valued there too I suppose. I lived in the clinic for a few weeks and was given everything I needed, including ice packs, baths and little luxury things I requested. They also had beauty days that were wonderful, and it was great to see all of the other girls living there healing alongside me and getting better day-by-day.
You have to be confident to have surgery abroad. I don’t personally think it’s any worse than paying for a private surgeon in your home country but some people will tell you differently. The price difference will surprise you every time though, I guarantee! I never would have gotten all of this work done at home for what I paid to take a luxury, pampered vacation.
Facelift reviews by RealSelf.com users
Avg cost $9,453
82% say Facelift was worth it
18% say Facelift was not worth it
9/21/07
My family has always gone abroad to have their surgeries done, and been very happy. They were getting dental implants done there 30 years ago!
I would be interested to know where you had your surgery done. I may be on a plane soon!
Thanks,
Anna
2/4/08
Can you tell us where you had your surgery and the name of the surgeon. I went to Costa Rica with a friend. She had upper/lower eyes, nose and a chin implant and was very happy with the results.
2/18/08
could anyone provide a doctor's name for facelift abroad? Have been investigating Thailand and Costa Rica.. thanks
3/2/08
Two years ago I went to Thailand for a facelift. I had a lower face and neck lift with lipo under the chin. This cost about $3,200. After the surgery I had some swelling and numbness but no pain which really surprised me. The area under my chin was a little sore for a few weeks. I had no visible scarring at all and I am very satisfied with the results. I am 62 but look under 50 now. I had this done at Bumrungrad Hospital's Anti-Aging Clinic. Also I went to a dermatologist at the same hospital and had age spots removed from my face for about $300 and also I went to a dentist. My doctor for the facelift was Dr Chu-Ongsakul, but probably any doctor at this hospital is fine. While I was there I saw a group of American doctors come to have consultations for their own cosmetic surgeries.
The facilities at Bumrungrad Hospital were gorgeous. I have never been in a hospital that clean and beautiful in the US and I recommend it to anyone. Everyone spoke English and many of the office assistants were RN's.
3/8/08
Liz,
I have been looking at both Costa and Thailand for my surgery as well. What have you found out if you don't mind sharing. I am looking at flights for around March 19.
Thanks so much,
Ann
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3/10/08
I am 65 and looking for a good plastic surgeon abroad.I have checked mexico found some ok places have not looked elswhere as of yet.Does anyone have some suggestions as to where good, not too expensive places and DR. would be/
Thanks
3/24/08
Hi,
I just returned from Costa Rica where I had a facelift and browlift. I stayed at a Recovery Retreat named Villa Plenitud. I had a wonderful plastic surgeon named Dr. {edited}. I did a lot of research before I chose him and I am 100% satisfied with the surgery and care I received. The other 4 women that were at the recovery retreat with me were also very happy. Check out his website at {edited}.
The cost was 1/3 of what I would have paid in New York.
Good luck!
Kathy
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3/24/08
Hi, we're needing more comments on Costa Rica cosmetic surgery so please feel free to add your opinions to the forum. Thank you!
3/27/08
I am curious about the doctor and the website you mentioned. i am thinking of going abroad for a facelift also. My son is a new doc just getting through his residency as an emergency room MD but with the US falling behind I want to go with him so he can see International options in his work, I can get a lift feeling better for his presence and we can do a little mother son bonding. thanks, djb
4/29/08
oh dear ! choices,choices.!
i researched and researched and thought i had found the best for facial surgery,but really 8 months post op ,i look no different.
really i wanted a very tight/defined jawline/lower face but that did,nt happen.
i personally dont like the 'refreshed'look,i prefer 'done' because it does tend to drop fairly quickly anyway.
i am not damaged but my eyes are weird,vision still impaired.
i WISH doctors would say truthfully what they do,instead of NOT doing what is requested.
5/3/08
hi, i am interested in costa rica for surgery,, can you recommend your dr. also what area did you stay for recovery,
costs etc.
thanks
judkt
5/3/08
hello susie,
i too am interested in plastic surgery abroad, it is exciting to hear about your experience, did you see anyone having breast ,tummy, surgery?
did you stay in the hospital overnight or go directly to recovery center?
what kind of recovery center did you stay?
thank you for sharing your information
judkt
5/3/08
PS/ i should add that my doctor and his Clinic are very well known,maybe to well known,as i believe its just to busy and corners are cut.
my upper eyes ;!;i was cut in a vertical line from middle to the brow.! who on earth would do such a thing,anyone knows it should be horizontal.
it was a conveyor belt.! and i have paid dear.!
i,m sure there are some really great doctors in CR,in fact my friend is now there,having a facelift with another doctor,i hope it all works fine for him.
of course my doctor has offered a revision.! but do i want to go back for more of the same.?
5/3/08
i'm so sorry,, thank you for being honest . i have so many friends talking about the wonders of ps in thailand,
now i definately am havinf second thoughts about going there.
it is frightening to think of looking worse after a proceedure .
do you know the name of your friends dr. in costa rica
thank you
judkt
5/3/08
Hi secrets, The names of doctors and clinics are important here....is there a problem with that? The only way this is useful is by being specific, as whole countries or clinics shouldn't be branded by that "bad apple" cliche. Thanks djb
5/3/08
i have no problems with naming names,but not all forums allow it.
my friend has gone to Dr Lev in CR....its to early yet to know the results....i personally think it takes a good 3 months to know if its been good surgery.
i went to the Rosenstock Centre in CR.......it did/ does have a good name but to my mind its far to busy now.
5/3/08
yes i've heard the same about rosenstock clinic,,
i wasn't impressed with the before and after pics,, it looked to me like they aren't aggressive enough,, if i am going to go UNDER' i certainly want to look better than RESTED not saying WIND TUNNEL but absolutely MUCH BETTER THAN RESTED
thanks
juddkt
5/3/08
correct.!
i dont want refreshed, ...i want 'done'.
actually a wind tunnel is,nt so bad cause it soon drops a bit anyway.! lol.
its been reported that the Rosenstock has 2 doctors working ,one each side,its no wonder i look totally different on each side,even the incisions are looking different,and my eyes look as if they belong to someone else.!
i cant help feeling that its all about $$$$$ s,and cramming as many folks in as possible.
WHY are they all getting so darn greedy.?
5/4/08
Hi Susie,
Thanks for this info this confirms it I'm going, that 60 minutes clip also helped a couple of years ago, so you were ther a total or three weeks? How long is the flight? I will be contacting this anti aging clinic for more info, I wonder is there any trips planned as a group to go over there, I will be going by myself?
Thanks Terry
5/4/08
Hi, this is my first choice also. I have a new doctor in the family (my son) and thought that asking him to come along on a semi vacation/info gathering trip after his residency would be great; and the $ no more than a facelift in Seattle would be. I am thinking September after the rainy season. Please send me a note after you hear from Susie....I am excited and nervous but hey , djb
5/4/08
oh my,, i had a surgery schedualed in chicago, i arrived 2 hours ahead [as told] i waited for 4 hours and finally started feeling something was wrong,, well someone forgot to tell the surgeon i was schedualed for that day,, so he's working as fast as he can,, rushed me in ,my blood pressure started to fall, he's screaming to tip me upside down, to get the blood to my heart,,,, all the while i am in a twilight sleep,, hearing everything but unable to get a grasp on it!
then he starts breaking my nose , when i am screaming he proceeds to stick a syringe up my nose to numb it ,,,, yikes,
then they take me to recovery center, well they had not been prepared with a nurse,, the woman they brought in to nurse me
had never treated plastic surgery patient,, she did not apply any cold compresses,, i vomited all afternoon and night,, she did not call the dr, the next day when he saw me i could tell he was shocked my whole face was huge,,,,in the end my nose was very crooked,, one of my eyes droops at the outer corner,
i cannot wear my contact in that eye because it tears all the time,, he tried repairing 3 times,, finally i just decided i will nee to live with it!
now one would certainly wonder,, why would i consider more surgery,, BECAUSE I SEE A TURKEY NECK,, MY EYEBROWS SEEM TO BE GETTING WAY TO CLOSE TO MY EYELASHES!! AND I AM GETTING THE PUPPET MOUTH!!
I AM GOING TO CR IN JULY , PLAN TO VISIT SEVERAL CLINICS
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT
JUDKT
5/4/08
HEY TERRY, LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS INTEREST IN GETTING A GROUP TOGETHER,, I WOULD LIKE TO GO ALSO
THANKS
JUDKT
5/4/08
oh blimey ! poor you.
must admit i feel the same as you,YES i intend to have another go with the plastics,but who ,where ,i have no idea ?
well if you go to CR there are plenty to choose from ,but ,one thing to remember is,you cannot get insurance for elective surgery abroad.!
also doctors in CR are protected by law ! you cannot sue a doctor if he messes up big time.!
5/10/08
Thank you for telling your Thailand surgery experiences on RealSelf.com. I've been searching all over the internet for some specific recommendations on doctors or clinics in Thailand--by people who actually had surgery there. So far I have found very little. Do you have any suggestions about how I can get in touch with other people who have also been there? Are there any blogs or forums you have seen? I'm a 59 year old male and I want to get neck lift surgery done there. Thanks, David
6/30/08
Please tell me where you had your surgery abroad and the name of your surgeon. Also, did you use a U.S. company to arrange it for you? If so, what company? I want to do the same thing you did. Please email the info to me.
6/30/08
not sure who Tricia is asking information from.?
6/30/08
This is my first day here because the internet lead me to the article at the top of the page titled: "Facelift was worth it: traveling abroad for a face lift". I think the person's name is Trekker. I couldn't find where to click up there, so I came down to the bottom of this page and asked my questions.
Do you know the answers to my questions? Do you know how I can ask Trekker?
6/30/08
i honestly dont know how to contact trekker ,and not sure if its possible to send emails to posters.
for me,going to Costa Rica was definitly not worth it.
6/30/08
I'm so sorry what happened to you. I hope someone will tell us the best place to go to get surgery.
6/30/08
Hi I like you am looking for a good place to go abroad for a face lift. In part its the money but as my son is a doctor i want him to see his options outside the US as our medical/health system is so messed up. Doctors squeezed between malpractice insurance and hospitals run as businesses have to create new paths of autonomy. I rather trust a doctor than a bottom line ...human values beat out the corporate .
Anyway, I am thinking Thailand and will soon post to surface design at wordpress.com after i gather info. I am taking "my son the doctor" with me for my security and his education. We can organize this material a lot better if we pool and share all the info we can get.
7/1/08
Could you please send the nema of a Dr. and the place again. It was editied out from the original post. Thank you.
7/1/08
hello djb,i was wondering about Thailand, i,m reserching Dr Kunachak in Bangkok.
www.laser-surgery-bangkok.com
he looks promising.?
7/1/08
Hi djb, What is your name at surface design? I went there to find you, and the dates of the comments are all mixed up on each page. How do I find you there -- OR, WILL YOU PLEASE LET US KNOW HERE ABOUT THE BEST PLACES TO GO IN THAILAND?
ALSO, when will you go to Thailand?
ALSO, Do you know about the companies that arrange everything?
7/1/08
Hi Secrets, don't forget to let us know how your friend did with {edited} in CR., and any other information you find that looks promising. I will also let everyone here know what I find that is good.
I have been finding agencies that arrange clients for doctors abroad. I've bookmarked many, but none say if the transportation is included, and I don't understand THEIR price for the "packages". I thought that a company arranges everything for the client and doctors abroad. How would I do it without a company? I came here to find out what company is the best. Does anyone reading this know?
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7/1/08
Dear Kathy, please send the information that was edited out in the note you submitted on May 23rd. I registered with realself.com so that they will send me the private info.
7/2/08
hi Tricia,i am rather concerned about my aquaintance who went to {edited} as i,m hearing absolutely nothing dispite several emails.
i personally would be wary of companies and individuals who offer
services for plastic surgery.
if you google CR recovery retreats,they all offer collection from airport ,and for travel to and from doctors appointments,usually free of charge.
its advisable to stay at a retreat for a few days and then move to a hotel.
i stayed 3 weeks in total,and booked a 'shuttle bus' for my return to the airport,it was cheap and on time to the minute.completely stress free.
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7/2/08
SECRETS! I got a warning email from RealSelf today (see what they edited out in my post above). They told me that IF I WANT SOMEONE TO SEND ME A PRIVATE EMAIL OF INFORMATION THAT REALSELF WON'T POST--ALL I HAVE TO DO IS CLICK ON THEIR NAME!!! (I clicked on Trekker)
7/2/08
HI CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT ANY INFO YOU'VE GATHERED ABOUT PLASTIC SURGERY IN THAILAND, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO GO AS A GROUP ! I TRIED CONTACTING YOU BUT YOUR EMAIL WAS BLOCKED!
MINE EMAIL IS AVAILABLE FOR REPLY.
THANKS
JUDKT
7/6/08
Hi... the name of your Dr has been edited ... could you send me his name and how your pain , procedure and recovery went ... Plus the results? How much was the charge of the surgery too.I don't need a brow lift but maybe my upper lids. Thanks Carole