Finally an American review of Dr. Frank LaMadrid!

I am just starting the review process, so I will update as I go!
Background: I am a 29 year old female. I do not have children nor prior cosmetic surgeries. I live on the east coast of the US and have been following Dr LaMadrid for multiple years on Instagram. I have elected for laser lipo with abdominal markation, lipo under my chin, lipo on my upper arms, lipo on my back (where that bra fat is - you know what I'm talking about lol), and finally a Brazilian buttlift (BBL)/"gluteal fat transference" as Dr LaMadrid and his staff call it. I will be taking a direct flight from Miami to Barranquilla tomorrow, 8 Feb. I will be leaving Colombia on 18 Feb, flying back into Miami. I'll then be staying for an additional week or so in Miami before flying back to my actual home because flying increases the risk of blood clotting, and I am trying to minimize that risk.Today is 7 Feb 21. My surgery is scheduled for 10 Feb. Tonight I had a video consult with the anesthesiologist, Dr Morales. A few highlights:- the surgery is done under general anesthesia- you can elect for an (optional) pain management strategy where they will provide a small ball connected intravenously to provide liquid pain management therapies (cost is $350 cash, which I have decided to pay for because I am terrified of the pain). Dr Morales stated that it is supposed to reduce the pain by 80-90% during the 3 days after surgery that it is connected- the meeting with the anesthesiologist is $40, which I will pay for in cash as well as for the pain med ball - the expectation is that I have to be up and walking after surgery, like same day. I am expected to be up and walking every single day, as much as I can, until I leave Colombia, to reduce the risk of blood clotting in the legs- they will have equipment attached to my legs while I am under that will hep with blood flow to prevent clotting- he expects that I will experience shivering, cold, and potentially be nauseated upon waking up (I have been nauseated and vomited from anesthesia before, so I definitely expect myself to be sick)I'll write more when I have updates! Right now I put it at 3 stars since nothing has happened yet.

Due to covid restrictions, I had to rebook my flight and move my surgery to the 11th instead of the 10th. I’m now on the flight to leave Miami and head to Barranquilla. My pre-op is tomorrow!

10 Feb
Last night my flight got in and after collecting my bags from the bag claim, there was a driver and Marie waiting in a van marked with Dr Frank Lamadrid insignia and decals. Marie spoke English which was super helpful because my Spanish is conversational but not to any depth. They drove me to the hotel, got me checked in, and ensured that everything was in place and good to go in my room. The room is great! I'll attach a video of the accommodations. I was told I would be picked up at 6:45am the next morning and taken to get a covid PCR test done.
This morning I woke up and the same driver and van were waiting outside. Marie did not accompany me but I got by just fine. The driver took myself as well as 4 other patients (both ones waiting for surgery and ones who had already had the surgery but not left recovery yet) to a testing lab to have bloodwork done and do the nasal swab for covid. The cost of the covid test is $70 but I had pre-paid for this.
Once complete we were driven to the medical office! It is a beautiful office with great views. We each checked in and then waited to be seen for the pre-op. My covid test results as well as another patient's were delayed, so they told us we can instead come back either in the afternoon or tomorrow morning (day of operation) for the pre-op and markings. They then asked to collect payment. The cost of mine came out to $9,220 - they advised against the chin lipo because I did not have enough fat to warrant surgery on that area, but said that arms, armpits, back, front with markation, and BBL were all good to go. My deposit was originally $1,000 so I needed to pay the remaining $8,220.
When I tried to run my card, my payment was rejected! Instead of an approval or denial, it came back as a rejection. I am not sure what this means but when I contacted my bank, Chase, they said that everything was okay on their end. I am currently in the process of sending a wire to my other account with Wells Fargo, since I know that I can use that card here in Barranquilla. Worst case I may have to resend an international wire via the same payment method that I did for the deposit. I would recommend that any international travelers bring cash to circumvent issues with their bank. I still need to get cash for the anesthesiologist, as well. While I waited for the wire to process, Marie and the driver took me back to the hotel. I'm now sitting here waiting for everything to go through before we can move to next steps. Marie was really nice about the situation and ensured that I wasn't too embarrassed by the payment not working, which I appreciate immensely. Still really frustrating!