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*Treatment results may vary
They say that little tweaks by a plastic surgeon...
They say that little tweaks by a plastic surgeon make a big difference and it is absolutely true in my case.
Earlier in March I had an eyelid surgery performed by Dr. Pickard-Ami in Panama.
I decided to combine my planned vacation in Panama with a small plastic surgery procedure which rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes. As we age, our eye lids "sag" and make our eyes look older and smaller. To combat that, I decided to have an upper eyelid surgery. Sure I could use a boob job as well but considering the fact that I was travelling with two small children by myself, I decided to step into the 'waters of international plastic surgery' very cautiously with a small 20-minute procedure. I chose not to be asleep during the surgery and save time and money.
I researched prospective plastic surgeons in Panama and selected Dr. Picard-Ami as someone I would contact. He has excellent credentials as a surgeon and is certified as a plastic surgeon in US and in Canada besides his Panama qualifications. As a Canadian myself, I liked that he completed his residency in Canada.
I met Dr. Picard for a consultation and he explained the procedure thoroughly and answered all my questions. Trust between a patient and a doctor is so important when you decide to give yourself into the hands of a doctor for whatever reason and especially in a foreign country.
I decided to go ahead with the procedure and it was promptly booked on Friday for the following Tuesday.
Dr. Picard works out of a very modern, and, as I heard from locals, the best hospital in Panama City, Punta Pacifica. It is associated with the well-known John Hopkins hospital in the United States.
In the morning of I had a blood test done ( a prerequisite to see if your blood coagulates well ) -
very professional nurse and very small needle - so almost painless. I paid 30$ and was redirected to a small private surgery clinic a short 5 minute taxi drive away (3 $). *
The procedure went smoothly and each step was explained to me as Dr. Picard performed the surgery. It was painless of course. The only unpleasant part is the local anesthesia injections. Dr. Picard explained to me that in this phase some people, who chose not to be asleep during the procedure, panic because it is a little painful and they might start projecting their minds on how bad the surgery itself is going to be. Well, being a woman, and gone through natural birth without an epidural, this was definitely bearable. After that I did not feel anything. We even chatted about the housing market in Panama and international politics with Dr. Picard :)
I was off the operating table in exactly 20 minutes.
I was wheeled to a recovery room. I asked the nurse if I could see my children who were minded in the waiting room. She brought them. I already explained to them what they will see and what was done, so they were just curious to see and ask how the stitches were sawn on.
Dr. Picard checked on me and then I stayed in the nurse's care from then on. I wanted to leave because I felt fine but I had to be observed for a while. I was advised to take Tylenol and not to excersize for a week. Also I was not to bend over or strain by lifting heavy objects or any objects from the floor. ( yeah, right, try that travelling with kids). I was told to rest the next day so to me it meant just some light trip around the town but definitely no bed rest.
I was given an antibiotic treatment and advised to protect my eyelids from direct sunlight. I knew that so I had big comfortable shades ready for wear after the procedure.
The next day a nurse was scheduled to come and see me. I texted the office to schedule her for the afternoon because we were going to ride the first subway in Central America and stop at the fish market for some ceviche. All done with big shades and nobody stared strangely at me because of my stitches and slightly swollen eyes. It was easily hidden.
The next day we did an extensive , all-day trip to see the Embera tribe, hiked in the jungle and swam in waterfalls. I was glad that my little beauty mission did not impact our plans to see as much of Panama as possible. And even our hired taxi driver never noticed why I was hiding my eyes all day.
I never had to take any Tylenol for pain because it did not hurt at all. I continued putting on the antibiotic treatment and wearing a hat and sunglasses.
In 6 days I met with Dr. Picard to remove my stitches. It was done directly in his office. He advised me of aftercare which I followed. He also gave me a great advise on visiting the El Valle, because I was renting a car from that day to further explore Pamana. It was right up there in beauty with the Guna Yala stay in the San Blas islands. Thank you, Dr. Picard The hot springs and healing mud was excellent and no, I did not put it on my eye lids:) Also the horseback ridding in jungle for 2 hours was great and the tapir in the zoo was captivating to say the least.
When we got back to Canada, nobody noticed or commented on my eyes. On March 30th, 23 days after my surgery I went to shape my eyebrows and tint my blond eyelashes. It is done by a friend of mine who has her own salon and let me tell you, because we are close she points out everything on my face. I know she would have said something if she noticed the scar. But by this time, it was hardly visible. And no, my friend is not polite by pretending not to see things...
I will be back in Panama but this time without the kids. Before I left Panama I asked Dr. Picard to give me an estimate for a breast surgery. It is a much better price than here in Canada even with travel expenses and it will be performed by a Canadian certified plastic surgeon! I know I could get it a little cheaper in Costa Rica or maybe in Mexico, but I was very satisfied with the whole experience plus I liked Panama very much so I will be back, and I know I will be in good, experienced and trustworthy hands.
Earlier in March I had an eyelid surgery performed by Dr. Pickard-Ami in Panama.
I decided to combine my planned vacation in Panama with a small plastic surgery procedure which rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes. As we age, our eye lids "sag" and make our eyes look older and smaller. To combat that, I decided to have an upper eyelid surgery. Sure I could use a boob job as well but considering the fact that I was travelling with two small children by myself, I decided to step into the 'waters of international plastic surgery' very cautiously with a small 20-minute procedure. I chose not to be asleep during the surgery and save time and money.
I researched prospective plastic surgeons in Panama and selected Dr. Picard-Ami as someone I would contact. He has excellent credentials as a surgeon and is certified as a plastic surgeon in US and in Canada besides his Panama qualifications. As a Canadian myself, I liked that he completed his residency in Canada.
I met Dr. Picard for a consultation and he explained the procedure thoroughly and answered all my questions. Trust between a patient and a doctor is so important when you decide to give yourself into the hands of a doctor for whatever reason and especially in a foreign country.
I decided to go ahead with the procedure and it was promptly booked on Friday for the following Tuesday.
Dr. Picard works out of a very modern, and, as I heard from locals, the best hospital in Panama City, Punta Pacifica. It is associated with the well-known John Hopkins hospital in the United States.
In the morning of I had a blood test done ( a prerequisite to see if your blood coagulates well ) -
very professional nurse and very small needle - so almost painless. I paid 30$ and was redirected to a small private surgery clinic a short 5 minute taxi drive away (3 $). *
The procedure went smoothly and each step was explained to me as Dr. Picard performed the surgery. It was painless of course. The only unpleasant part is the local anesthesia injections. Dr. Picard explained to me that in this phase some people, who chose not to be asleep during the procedure, panic because it is a little painful and they might start projecting their minds on how bad the surgery itself is going to be. Well, being a woman, and gone through natural birth without an epidural, this was definitely bearable. After that I did not feel anything. We even chatted about the housing market in Panama and international politics with Dr. Picard :)
I was off the operating table in exactly 20 minutes.
I was wheeled to a recovery room. I asked the nurse if I could see my children who were minded in the waiting room. She brought them. I already explained to them what they will see and what was done, so they were just curious to see and ask how the stitches were sawn on.
Dr. Picard checked on me and then I stayed in the nurse's care from then on. I wanted to leave because I felt fine but I had to be observed for a while. I was advised to take Tylenol and not to excersize for a week. Also I was not to bend over or strain by lifting heavy objects or any objects from the floor. ( yeah, right, try that travelling with kids). I was told to rest the next day so to me it meant just some light trip around the town but definitely no bed rest.
I was given an antibiotic treatment and advised to protect my eyelids from direct sunlight. I knew that so I had big comfortable shades ready for wear after the procedure.
The next day a nurse was scheduled to come and see me. I texted the office to schedule her for the afternoon because we were going to ride the first subway in Central America and stop at the fish market for some ceviche. All done with big shades and nobody stared strangely at me because of my stitches and slightly swollen eyes. It was easily hidden.
The next day we did an extensive , all-day trip to see the Embera tribe, hiked in the jungle and swam in waterfalls. I was glad that my little beauty mission did not impact our plans to see as much of Panama as possible. And even our hired taxi driver never noticed why I was hiding my eyes all day.
I never had to take any Tylenol for pain because it did not hurt at all. I continued putting on the antibiotic treatment and wearing a hat and sunglasses.
In 6 days I met with Dr. Picard to remove my stitches. It was done directly in his office. He advised me of aftercare which I followed. He also gave me a great advise on visiting the El Valle, because I was renting a car from that day to further explore Pamana. It was right up there in beauty with the Guna Yala stay in the San Blas islands. Thank you, Dr. Picard The hot springs and healing mud was excellent and no, I did not put it on my eye lids:) Also the horseback ridding in jungle for 2 hours was great and the tapir in the zoo was captivating to say the least.
When we got back to Canada, nobody noticed or commented on my eyes. On March 30th, 23 days after my surgery I went to shape my eyebrows and tint my blond eyelashes. It is done by a friend of mine who has her own salon and let me tell you, because we are close she points out everything on my face. I know she would have said something if she noticed the scar. But by this time, it was hardly visible. And no, my friend is not polite by pretending not to see things...
I will be back in Panama but this time without the kids. Before I left Panama I asked Dr. Picard to give me an estimate for a breast surgery. It is a much better price than here in Canada even with travel expenses and it will be performed by a Canadian certified plastic surgeon! I know I could get it a little cheaper in Costa Rica or maybe in Mexico, but I was very satisfied with the whole experience plus I liked Panama very much so I will be back, and I know I will be in good, experienced and trustworthy hands.
Provider Review
Excellent!!!!