57 Year Old Going for 2nd Face Lift - Costa Rica

I've been following Dr. Lev since 06. I've consulted w/him before. I did my first face lift w/Dr. Fuentes. He did a fabulous deep plane on me. I love Dr. F!! His prices are out of my budget this time. I'm excited to go w/Dr. Lev and excited to look younger/better!!! Thx for the comments!

Thanks, I will be following you. All the best for you

universegirl: Mercedes is charging me $90 a day. thats all my meals and I think snacks but not sure on that. I'll bring my own anyway. All your transportation from/to airport and all Dr Lev's appts/surgery. She has a nurse come in every morning to check on patients for the 1st wk post-op and more if you request it. All laundry and she is there 24/7. That all is included in the $90's. She only takes up to 3 patients at a time and only Dr. Lev's patients. There is more about her and other retreats on Dr. Lev's eternallyvain.com website Thanks! Getting my stress test and all bloodwork today...

Thanks. I can't wait to see your results. I am also impressed with the 20 miles a week that you jog. Do you take any vitamin/mineral supplements to help with the healing process.

hi universegirl :-) I jog 5 miles, 4 x's a week. I should do more really. I feel so dang good after I jog. Had my stress test today and my cardioligest said I was in excellent condition and probably in better shape than I was at 25. I run because I don't want be old and crippled over... I don't really take vitamins now but I do eat a lot of fresh pineapple. I will use post-op supplements to help with healing from Makemeheal.com. I did all my lab test today, already have my airline tickets, paid Mercedes in full and 1/2 of Dr Lev's fee.... this month is gonna DRAG!!!!

Happy to hear about your cardiologist report. You will be in good shape for your surgery. It is getting closer and the time will fly by. Before you know it you will be coming home, looking wonderful. I walk but my daughter runs marathons, dirt bikes and bike rides. Her family joins her sometimes, especially the boys when she is on her dirt bike. She love it, biking through the paths, jumps, etc. Me, I pedal around the neighborhood. No jumps for me. I take a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement, extra Vit D, especially in the winter. I haven't been the healthiest the past 2 or so years. I have Graves Disease and it has not been good to my body. But working on building myself back up since my levels are getting better. Happy jogging.

Me too that was the price given too me $7000 few days ago!

hij sandysdaisey. I looked over my file. he quoted me $6200 with a 5% cash discount which is $5890 not including a chin implant. with is 1900 more. I got this quote from him months ago and was to commit sooner, but had personal issues arise. But he honored his original quote. I was off with the above numbers by $90. sorry. This is the cash price. Also, everyone is different. Our bone structure, skin type and how it redrapes ect. thats why he looks at our pics for quote. He also states on the website that the quote could change upon seeing us in our personal consultation. I did not barter a price with him or with any other of my plastic surgeons. Thats one thing I won't do. How long are you staying in SJO and where are you staying? I wish you the best of luck for a swift and painless recovery and a wonderful outcome!! Good Luck!

Thank you for your reply, am staying at Che Tica Ranch and will leave Feb 23rd. I have been to Costa Rica many times and I love the country side...which is where the Ranch is. The city is very different and crowded. I want my healing to be in the beauty of this wonderful county. I too wish you a quick and painless recovery...I belive we will be in good hands. Many Blessings!

You will love it there, it is so nice to return "home" after medical/dental treatments. I spent 33 nights at CheTica Aug-Sept 2014. Francis, the nurse in an angel here on earth. And, the Martins are very charming.

Evelyn, love your name, my 5 yro grand daughter has same name :-) Hope my stay in CR is as relaxing as yours was. yes, it's good to get home after these vanity vacations and get back to normal. :-)

ha! if you can ride a bicycle you can ride a motorcycle... Us women are very good at what we set our minds on!! My mind is on looking very young this summer while riding my Harley :-)

No you won't, you be gorgeous and at your best again. You have great features!

Thanks Evelyn. you made my day for real... :-)

I am wondering, how long does one stay in Costa Rica to recover? Do you take a friend for support? I was once a very brave and confident woman, today, not so much! The affordability, may be more realistic for me in Costa Rica... Thanks so much!

You have loads of support at CheTica. You will probably see staff more times a day than you care to (smile), but can call the main house where staff will answer. Francis, the nurse, will be there as your needs call for. It is now $95 a day. That includes 3 meals, transportation to dr. appts, and transport to and from Airport if you arrange for business hour arrival and departures. The cottages are big, and the scenery is pretty. It rains most evenings for awhile. The mornings and afternoons are usually clear, or clear enough to enjoy. I will be going back in April to finish up some dental work, for around 10-14 days. Most surgeons require you to stay 14 to 15 days for plastic surgery, and you will want to to make sure all turned out ok. I got the support of my US doctors before I went, so if anything went wrong I would not hear any flak. Cost is definitely a HUGE plus. When you consider what the top surgeons want, here in the states ( like NYC, SF, LA, etc.), the discount there in CR is almost giggly. As soon as you are feeling well, you will want to venture out on excursions during your two week stay. Once you decide, ask Ruben, the owner of CheTica, to time your stay when others may also be there. Of course, after your surgeon gives you some date options. Feel free to FaceBook me, if you have any other questions. It is very doable, don't worry.

I'm going to be staying at Mercedes recovery house which is her home. She only take Dr. Lev's patients. but so many stay at recovery retreats. I'll be there 2 wks which is the standard for a facelift and the longest I can have off work or afford to stay. I say stay at least 2 weeks but longer if you can. also I have my doctor here at home on board in case of complications. I have surgery in 12 days.... getting excited for a renewed fresh look but major excited for 3 wks off work!!! yay!

I an excited for you!

Hi Ladies, may I ask if you partner with your PCP or Local PS in case of complications, once you return home? Also, is there anyone that can share any knowledge, regarding lip implants? I have always had very thin lips and now they have almost disappeared! Thanks!

I had the support of my dermatologist and internist before I left. Fortunately, I did not have any medical needs after I got home. With regard to lips, my doctor said my lips were "age appropriate" (LOL). I would have liked filler, but no it was no go.

Yes, absolutely partner with you PCP for after care. I didn't get lip implants, had silicon injected into upper/lower lips and love it!

Evelyn it appears that you were blessed with lovely lips, lucky you, you are a beautiful woman..PDcrazy..did you get silicon injections at the time of your surgery? How often do you have to get injections? Snap, I may have lips if my face is lifted! I pull and stretch my face every time I look into a mirror.. And can't fathom a FL result! I guess, I will have to wait for a consult with PS.. Have either of you had a temporal or endoscopic brow lift? So many questions and I have so little knowledge..I think I could get my PCP on board but my dermatologist would have a fit, I think... I have an appointment soon, I will test the water! Lol

I had a coronal (sp) lift with a forehead revision w/my first facelift. not for the faint of heart but the results is just amazing. that's why Dr. lev wounldn't do a brow like on me he said it looks as good today as when I had it done 9 yrs ago, Mine forehead was very high. So my PS pulled my hairline down and forehead up. I beleive its called a forehead revision lift. On my lips I had injections every 2 weeks. that alowes for the swellling to go down between the next injection. I had a series of 3 injections. sorry about the typos. I'm tired gonna rest now :-)

I do need some botox between my eye brows tho

Rest easy! Take care!

Oh Torilynnc, I only had those 3 injections and that was back in 2007. I had it done 8 months after my facelift had settled and the swelling was gone. Silicon is permenate and only removed w/lipo. I would never get it anywhere but my lips due to it could migrate. My PS said the lips it won't migarate. hope this helps

those dang typos!!!

Thanks for the information..very valuable to me! I'm going to go and look it up, right now! Lol Sending hugs & get some rest!

thanks slthomp! I'll do daily updates for sure. And I'll be following your journey! :-)

Got upper bleph, no lower. and no brow lift. that and chin implant was the game changer. thanks ladies. I"m just not seeing much of a difference yet. I feel like I look the same except for this huge helmet.....

Just wondering did Dr. Lev charge less since you haven't had all procedures mentioned before. Thanks for posting and I can see your middle face looks much better than before. Have a god recovery, Bless

hi, souzaana. Dr Lev removed the lower eye and brow lift from his fee and then I paid for the chin implant. it was a $280 difference. Can't wait to get this helmet off. Dr Fuentes doesn't use them so this is new for me. I get it off at 10:30 tomorrow. 2 wks Before I left home, I sat around watching tv with my full face motorcycle helmet on to prepare myself for this and wow, If I hadn't done that I'd be really wiggin out!!!! If any of you have access to a full or 3/4 with a shield helmet, use it to get ready for this. Stll no pain but more pressure on and around my neck, and my face is swelling more. I think becuse I had some club crackers and theres salt on them... I should of known better! Well, off to take a shower w/o getting helmet wet. wish me luck :-0

Wow, I had no idea that the helmet-bandage was so tight! What is the main purpose of the helmet? Does it prevent a hematoma from developing? Or does the extra compression help to minimize major swelling during the first 24hrs after surgery? I had to chuckle as I envisioned you prepping for the sensation by wearing a motorcycle helmet at home (great idea!). :)