Returning home 10 years younger

Fancy a getaway for a couple of weeks and returning home to friends and relatives 10 years younger? Here’s an idea... get your face rejuvenated to reflect the age you feel. My wife Megan (69) desired to have a facelift and I, Tibor (74), decided to join her.

We sincerely recommend high-quality cosmetic surgery done by Dr Alejandro Lev Schtirbu. We just returned from our medical tourism to San Jose, Costa Rica, and we are extremely pleased with the results only 4 weeks later.



Dr Lev performs many different procedures. I had a full facelift and my wife, being already close to perfect, only the lower face and neck. Essentials we found with Dr Lev in Costa Rica: his surgery is exceptionally high quality as evidenced by lack of scarring, very low risk as proved by his patient history, much less total cost compared to Canada or the US, proximity and time-zone convenience and the benefit of a couple weeks of pleasant R&R (recuperation and rest).



First, Dr Lev is a dedicated and scrupulous craftsman with scalpel and suture. The surgical clinic where we chose to have our procedures is basic and sterile but without the usual North American decoration and design features. It is a quality facility and we rate the overnight aftercare as outstanding compared to that received in Canada for similar procedures in certified plastic surgery centers. You can also opt to have your procedure in the modern Hospital CIMA for an extra fee, just as in Canada you can use a hospital if you desire for a fee. The anesthesiologist, Dr Greenwood, has collaborated with Dr. Lev for many decades, an experienced doctor and fine person who devotes ample time to his patients. Together they perform surgery on just one patient per day. We had a pre-op consultation, next day surgery for 5-6 hours, overnight observation in the clinic, followed by 7 or 8 post-op examinations. Dr. Lev reviews the sutures and staples, removing them at just the right moment to reduce possibility of scarring. We had two very kind English-speaking nurses monitoring our post surgery status.



Second, Dr Lev’s supremely able International Patient Coordinator is Didi, who advises patients in detail how to plan their medical visit to Costa Rica. The process explained on the website is well organized, but you, the patient, must take responsibility for reading, planning and executing. It is wise to adhere to Didi’s advice and recommendations. Read everything on the Eternally Vain website, then clarify with Didi. She is endlessly patient and helpful.

Third, Casa Mercedes, the recovery residence where we chose to heal, is first class for making all aspects of our stay convenient, with expert and caring assistance during recovery. Casa Mercedes is owned and managed by the highly professional and helpful Mercedes who has been managing Dr. Lev patients’ recovery for over twenty years. She looks after your every need to aid rapid resumption of daily life on your return home. While at her all-inclusive recovery home she unfailingly provides you with personal assistance, and useful advice to bolster your recovery, will order your medications, feed you healthy, nourishing meals, and arrange transport to your almost daily post-op exams with Dr Lev. His office is just two blocks away. Casa Mercedes has private recovery rooms and communal dining either inside or outside in the attractive shaded patio.



Additionally, Mercy can help arrange other personal treatments you may decide to access easily and affordably in Costa Rica: surgery, dental, hair replacement, PRP. One surprising perk at Casa Mercedes is included laundry, so you can pack minimally, just carry-on luggage. Also included are airport pick-up and drop-off.

At the recovery home you may be surprised how easy it is to have conversations about various cosmetic procedures with others who have experienced them. This is one of the best ways to learn the pros and cons of surgery and unlikely in social conversation where discussion of such things is not very frank or comfortable.



After your weeks’ stay in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will feel uplifted as you depart from a situation which you perhaps approached with trepidation, and which has morphed into a smile on your rejuvenated face to present to your amazed friends and family.

Fancy a getaway for a couple of weeks and returning home to friends and relatives 10 years younger? Here’s an idea... get your face rejuvenated to reflect the age you feel. My wife Megan (69) desired to have a facelift and I, Tibor (74), decided to join her. Read our whole review...

We are even more pleased with the outcomes of our face and neck surgery, 27 weeks after, performed by Dr Lev in Costa Rica. Friends observe we look different, but cannot quite express how. For Tibor, who had more extensive surgery including blepharoplasty, forehead lift, face and neck lift, there is still a little tightness at the forehead hairline and behind the ears; Megan feels completely healed. We’re both delighted with our refreshed appearance and agree that these procedures were great decisions and a few weeks of discomfort were well worth the results and rewards.
Dr. Lev’s work is complementary to our daily efforts to remain youthful and energetic through exercise and diet. Now we look as young as we feel.