First Class Operation - Costa Rica, CR

I was scheduled to arrive in San Jose on 19 December 2013 and have surgery at the Rosenstock Lieberman Clinic that evening.

Prior to arrival, Drs. Rosenstock and Cohen were very helpful and communicative. I sent them pictures of myself, and they provided helpful explanations of my options.

My flight was delayed, and I was going to miss my surgery appointment. I contacted the clinic and Las Cumbres, the surgery retreat that I'd booked, to let them know that I was behind schedule. I immediately heard back from the clinic telling me that they'd rescheduled my surgery for the following afternoon. The folks at Las Cumbres altered my reservation appropriately.

When I arrived at the Rosenstock Lieberman Clinic on the afternoon of 20 December, a nurse weighed me, took my vital signs (including an ECT) and asked various questions about my history.

After the interview with the nurse, Dr. Cohen spent about a half hour with me discussing my options. I definitely wanted a neck lift, and I was considering abdominal liposuction as well. After the consultation, I decided to have both done. The cost for the neck lift was 3,800USD, plus 200USD for neck liposuction. The cost for the abdominal liposuction was 3,400USD.

After they ran my credit card, I was given a sedative and an antibiotic.

The procedures went extremely well. I stayed at the clinic overnight. I was not in pain, but I had some discomfort, mostly from being bound up with bandages and compression garments.

I spent the first four days after the surgery at Las Cumbres, which was very nice. I guess my only real complaint is that the mattress was foam instead of a 'real' spring mattress, so sleeping wasn't very comfortable. Every day, I went back to the clinic for a massage to reduce swelling. Ruth, the nurse who performed the massages, did an excellent job. I paid $20 cash per massage.

After four days, I transferred to a private room at the Aldea Hostel, which is caddy-corner from the Rosenstock Lieberman Center. At 30USD per night, this was an excellent option. The bed was very comfortable, and everyone who worked or stayed there was incredibly pleasant. There is a supermarket two blocks away, and there are numerous restaurant options within walking distance. I also saved $20 per day in transportation costs (Las Cumbres charges $10 each way for transportation to and from the clinic).

I spent another six nights at the Aldea Hostel, and I continued to go for daily massages. Half of my stitches were removed on the 28th, and the rest were removed the morning of the 31st, a few hours before I flew home to the US.

I wear a compression garment that was provided by the clinic. It's awkward, but not overly uncomfortable. I also have a compression wrap for my neck, but I only wear that when I'm at my house.

The results of my neck lift are dramatic, even though there is still a fair amount of swelling under my neck. The healing on my incisions has been rapid, and there is only a little bit of scab left after two weeks.

The results of my abdominal liposuction have been slow to reveal themselves, as expected. They removed six liters of fat, but my abdomen is still fairly swollen. I'm smaller than I was before the surgery, but I don't expect to see the full effects of the surgery until June.

Everyone at the clinic, from the receptionist to the maintenance staff, from the nurses to the surgeons was absolutely professional, helpful and friendly. When I'd return for my massages, the doctors always came to visit with me and check up on me, and they would take the time to chat as well as to examine me and answer questions.

I would recommend the Rosenstock Lieberman Center without any hesitation at all. Also, I would also strongly recommend both Las Cumbres as well as the Aldea Hostel.