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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

70 Year Old in Need of a Serious Lift

ORIGINAL POST

As a professional I was always slim and trim, but...

pmconway
WORTH IT$8,000
As a professional I was always slim and trim, but 5 years after retirement at 65 creeping weight gain, sagging skin and loss of muscle tone had made my silhouette an embarrassment. I hated clothes and socializing, and was feeling depressed and isolated. Coolsculpting's insignificant results did not help.
After online research and interviewing several plastic surgeons, I concluded I needed a tummy tuck, a thigh lift and 360 degree liposuction. This was a pipe dream on a retiree's income. I lucked out in finding Premium Care in Cartagena, Columbia. Local surgeons warned me against cosmetic tourism, but I was impressed by the credentials of Drs. A. Campbell and C. Restrepo. Both are Board certified, the first in the U.S., the second in Columbia. The website for Premium Care details how they perform the procedures I was interested in, including videos. I also liked the fact that they do volunteer work operating on kids with cleft palates.
I contacted them and found the Premium Care team responded quickly and with good clear information. Following my submission of requested information, I had a telephone consultation with Dr. Campbell that answered all of my questions. My conclusion: they understood what I wanted and were well qualified and able to carry out the procedures in a single operation. Their quoted cost was about a third of local quotes I was given. The price included insurance to cover the cost of problems arising from the surgery. And they promised an exceptional recovery experience. I booked a surgery date which was two months after my first communication.
. The surgery was that well done and the care I have been receiving both before and after truly exceptional.
To illustrate: I was picked up at the airport and taken to Premium Care's Recovery Suites. My accommodation is a private room in a suite with a balcony facing the sea. A Premium Care rep was with me every step of the way: pre-op appointments, buying garments and other necessary post-op supplies; the trip to the private clinic and through surgery preparation, and following surgery, back to my suite. A nurse stayed with me overnight after surgery. I see a nurse daily for incision care and monitoring; I have a massage every day for comfort and swelling reduction; nutritious meals are on offer to hasten the healing process. Dr. Campbell receives daily photos of my incision sites and nursing reports; Premium Care arranges cabs to my post-op appointments . I am now only 3 days post-surgery, but I feel strong enough and good enough to start taking short jaunts into the lovely old city of Cartagena.
Premium Care claims to have rethought and redesigned the recovery experience from surgery to offer an enjoyable experience. I didn't think it was possible, but it is true. They have.

pmconway's provider

Alex Campbell, MD

Alex Campbell, MD

Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 197 Reviews
PROFILE

pmconway rating for Dr. Campbell:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
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Replies (14)

March 1, 2018
thank you for your amazing review. glad your surgery went well. would you be willing to post before and after pics. many people here enjoy reading people’s stories as well as looking at before and after photos. if you are uncomfortable you can edit your head in them. hope you continue to heal quickly. best regards and thanks again for your review. I am going to Dr. Campbell in July so I am happy to have read such a great review. July
May 9, 2018
When are you thinking of going in July? I’m thinking July as well!!! Are you traveling from far? Thank you!
May 9, 2018
I have my flight for June 28 and my surgery is July 3, 2018. I am nervous but also excited. I hope the results are what I’m expecting. I have read many great things. However I also did read a few reviews but all three negative ones did not submit pictures. So you never know if it’s a false review to downplay Premium Cares Work.
May 10, 2018
Omg! How exciting! I secured my date for June 26! I will be staying about 10 Nights I just want to make sure I will be ok to fly back home, my daughter is Coming with me (16 year old) we are always together ! So I will meet you!! Are u staying at their suites?? I hear what u saying about the reviews and I feel some of them are not real and some others are patient’ that did not have realistic expectations u know. Well looking forward to meet you there!!
May 10, 2018
I am staying at a hotel on the same street, just down the road about 3 min away walking. I decided on a hotel as I am bringing my younger brother and I know he is going to want to go out and perhaps be a bit loud when he turns in for the night. I did not want to burden any of the recovering patients with his loudness. Lol. As for the reviews, I agree also with you. I did however contact two women and we spoke through email as well as text. They sent me before n after pics and went into much details of places to go and taxi drivers name to stay connected with and so on. So yes, go with confidence. I will be there June 28 so hopefully we will see each other there. You can inbox me and I c give you my email address or number and we can share experiences questions or concerns as we will be going around the same time.
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January 31, 2019
I am going sometime in July 2019 my husband is going with me but I was looking for someone that was going the same time as i was to get the 5% off with a buddy, keep in touch if that sounds good we would both get 5% off our procedure
May 9, 2018
Hi thank you so much for your amazing detailed review!! I’m talking to Dr Campell next week! I’m so confident on my decision to go with them. I’m preparing for July! Could I ask you how long did you stay and how was your flight back home? That’s my only fear the flight back home! Could u please tell me about it??? I wojld appreciate it with all my heart! Thank you!!
May 10, 2018
I always considered traveling for surgery was a dangerous risk but the more I read about Columbia the more encouraged I feel. I'm curious; how much were the accommodations and nursing care? Are they included?
July 31, 2018
I actually went June 29 and surgery was July 3rd. I stayed at Hotel OR and found it to be such a great hotel and cost was by far cheaper than other hotels and their place was just as nice. You can google earth the addresses of the hotels you want to see and look around and see for yourself that they are all Fairly the same. Also the nursing care was very good. The nurse assigned to me came every day and she was amazing. Her name is Andrea and she is an absolute doll and very professional.
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August 1, 2018
I Had an AMAZING experience with dr. Christian Montes. I’m still updating my experience. I’m 4.5 weeks into my recovery. Couldn’t be more happy with my results and my experience and I had mine done in the same city . It’s really important you do on your surgeon
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July 30, 2018
How was your recovery? It has been about 5 months have you healed fully?
July 31, 2018
I had my surgery July 3, 2018 so it will be 4 weeks tomorrow. I am slowly recuperating but doing very well. I have to say that it has been more pleasant than I expected. The pain was just the first couple of days and it wasn’t terrible. Also after the first week you are able to more around a lot more and once the drains are taken out, you want to hit the streets of Cartagena. I was out the second day after surgery, drain and all. Hahah. I never know when I over do it so I would lose track of time and find myself walking for miles Until I realize I am all swollen. So make sure you time your walks and elevate your feet when you can. Drink lots of water to get them kidneys to flush out the retainer fluid.
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July 31, 2018
Sorry for getting the time wrong, how Real Self has it it looked like the post was fro February. I have my deposits paid and plaane tickets purchased for November...just became more nervous after Hgsf13 was posting about complications. Waiting on the edge of my chair to hear about it. I am schedule for a serious overhaul. First round, extended adomnioplasty, posterior lift and breast reduction wifh lift. Round 2, where i will have to fly back for arm liff and medial thigh lift.
Please keep us updated but I am glad you are doing well.
January 23, 2023
Hi. Just read your review and that's exactly what I need. Been researching this same Dr. for a year now. I was just wondering how much all this cost, I noticed your price in the review says tummy tuck. Need to know if I have enough saved up or not. Also is this inclusive. Bloodwork, other tests and aftercare. Thanks.