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I don't think that there are superlatives lofty...
I don't think that there are superlatives lofty enough to describe my experience with Patricia Marino's Facelift Mexico, her Spa Club Casa Marino and her brilliant resident plastic surgeon, Dr. Guillermo Koelliker, but I'll do my best.
? Here is what was included in the $6,900 full facelift surgery fee:
1. temporal forehead lift
2. upper/lower eyelids ( I chose not to have the blepharaplasty but fat transfer to my lower lids instead)
3. mid face with SMAS technique
4. necklift
5. I elected to have fat transfers on various areas of my face? for an extra cost.
?Being a male patient, one of my big concerns was the possibility of a visible suture line around the ear. My fears were unfounded, as Dr. Koelliker placed the sutures on the cartilage inside my ears and and behind my hairline, where they soon became invisible. Turns out he shaved minutely an area to place the suture line in the hairline and held back the rest of my hair with pony tails. I was very impressed by the surgical accuracy (pun intended) with which he accomplished this.?
I'm an entertainer of a "certain age," who underwent a botched facelift in the U.S. about 9 years ago. At that time, I had already been in fairly regular contact with the lovely and kind Pat Marino, president and founder of Facelift Mexico, and I remained on the fence about whether I should chance having major surgery in a foreign country or "play it safe" by having the procedure performed by a top cosmetic surgeon in the U.S. I feared that if I went to Mexico and something went wrong, I'd have no recourse. My gut said, "go to Mexico," but my head disagreed, and I reluctantly gave in to my fears, opting to have the work done in the U.S., by a highly regarded cosmetic surgeon. Big mistake.
The "highly regarded" U.S. surgeon botched the procedure, leaving me with eyes that were of vastly different sizes, eyelids that wouldn't close when I slept, earlobes of vastly different sizes (he "accidentally" sliced-off half of one of them) and a badly executed neck ?lift?, which left the entire left side of my neck a wrinkled ?mess.?
Fast forward to 2015. After nine years, this old face was definitely ready for a tune-up and, hopefully, some long-needed revision. During the intervening years, I had stayed in touch with Pat, keeping track of Dr. Koelliker's continued successes and the glowing reports about Spa Club Casa Marino?. I was consistently impressed the kudos and glowing reviews and finally decided that it was time for me to take the plunge. I'm so glad I did.
My wife and I were greeted at the Leon/Guanajuato Airport by our charming driver, Hugo, driving a shiny new car. He delivered us to the beautiful, private, state-of-the-art Guadalupano Hospital in the city of Celaya, about 45 minutes from San Miguel. We were shown to our private room (a spouse and/or a companion may stay at the hospital as well, as each private room has a bed AND a convertible sofa), and we soon had a long consultation with Dr. Koelliker, a charming and compassionate person, as well as a highly skilled surgeon. Dr. Koelliker left us and returned a few hours later for another lengthy consultation. Once again, he departed and returned yet again to make sure we were absolutely clear regarding exactly what he was going to be doing the following morning, and how it would be done. During that afternoon and evening, an internist colleague of Dr. Koelliker’s visited us to discuss my upcoming surgery and to let us know that he would be on standby while I was in surgery, on the off-chance that his assistance might be required. Also, the staff came in during this period and performed all of the requisite tests to ensure that I was in good health and ready for major surgery.
The next morning, I was awakened and delivered to surgical theater, where I met my team: Dr. Koelliker, his colleague, another cosmetic surgeon who would be working with him, an anesthesiologist and two surgical assistants. I was in VERY good hands.
I was given i.v. sedation and the next thing I knew I was in my room, awake and feeling great. There was NO pain whatsoever, no nausea, no unpleasant side-effects at all. I was ready to go out dancing, but my wife and the staff had other ideas!!!
No less than five times that same day, Dr. Koelliker visited me to make sure everything was going well. He continued to do so during the second day as well. The nurses checked my blood pressure, and other vitals, many times each day. Never in my life have I felt so pampered and well cared for in any hospital ANYWHERE.
At around noon on day three, Huge was back to drive us to Spa Club Casa Marino, a trip of about 45 minutes. Upon arriving at Casa Marino, we were warmly greeted by our hostess, Pat; our personal health facilitator, Fabiola (her name says everything! She's pretty fabulous); and our talented cook, Feyla. Fabiola showed us to our spectacular suite, which was adorned with gorgeous gold Venetian Plastered walls; a high beamed ceiling; rich blue drapes and matching overstuffed easy chairs; two queen sized beds; two dressers; a huge hi-def, flat-screen TV (with cable and Apple TV included); and a toasty fireplace, crackling in the corner. One entire wall was floor-to-ceiling glass, covered with an exquisite vine-like wrought iron grid, looking out to our private garden patio with its bubbling fountain. Heaven!
Fabiola soon brought my medications from the pharmacy, and I settled-in for a pampered rest and recuperation. Every morning Feyla prepared and served a delicious breakfast to both my wife and me, chosen by us the night before from an extensive menu. We also were given ample choices for our lunches, which were, without exception, plentiful and tasty.
On day two, Pat's gracious and charming husband Greg Pope introduced himself and spent some time with us. Greg is a great storyteller with a wicked sense of humor, and someone we consider a wonderful new friend. If you're lucky enough to experience Facelift Mexico and Casa Marino, make a point of meeting Greg. You'll be glad you did.
I stayed in bed and took it easy, as my wife availed herself of the wonders of San Miguel de Allende, a World Heritage site, and one of the most beautiful places we've ever visited. Founded in 1542, San Miguel is overflowing with spectacular Baroque churches, mansions and quaint cobblestone streets. As I was able to join my wife's long walks, after a few days of rest, I must say I quickly discovered that the very best part of being in Mexico is the Mexican people. Invariably kind, courteous, friendly and welcoming, I can see why so many Americans, Canadians and Europeans have decided to live amongst the delightful citizens of this wonderful county.
During our forays about town, we discovered world class restaurants, silversmiths and craftspeople of all kinds, enabling us to pack our suitcases with gifts for friends and family back home.
One week after the surgery, Dr. Koelliker made a house call to Casa Marino to check on my progress and to discuss our plans for the following day, which included a return trip to Guadalupano Hospital for the removal of my sutures, from the face/neck lift, and the otoplasty (My ears now look great!) and an additional fat? ?transfer procedure.
Over the years, I had lost volume in my face and had gained a somewhat gaunt look. Dr. Koelliker liposuctioned a small amount of fat from my body (I offered to donate ALL of it to medical science, but he declined) and, after turning it into stem cells, injected it into areas of my face. The results are a resounding success.
Finally, a week after we had arrived, we reluctantly left Casa Marino and were driven to the Leon/Guanajuato Airport for our return to the U.S. It was merely farewell for a while, and definitely NOT good-bye, as we plan to return to San Miguel, and our wonderful new friends at Casa Marino, again and again.
Dr. Koelliker COMPLETELY eliminated any and all traces of the formerly botched surgery and gave me back my face, and ears, of 20 years ago. The work Dr. Koelliker accomplished so perfectly, for a mere $10,000, the work that was going to cost me $40,000 in the U.S. Not only is that a savings of 75%, but I feel confident I ended-up with a better result than I would have gotten back home. All that plus fantastic new friends and unforgettable memories of San Miguel.
In conclusion, If anyone reading this, who is considering cosmetic surgery, were to ask my advice, I would tell them, "Do yourself a HUGE favor and have your work done by Dr. Koelliker, a world class professional, while saving tens of thousands of dollars and eliminating the scary possibility of an uncertain outcome. Pat Marino, Facelift Mexico and Dr. Koelliker are, quite simply, the best, in any country, at any price.
? Here is what was included in the $6,900 full facelift surgery fee:
1. temporal forehead lift
2. upper/lower eyelids ( I chose not to have the blepharaplasty but fat transfer to my lower lids instead)
3. mid face with SMAS technique
4. necklift
5. I elected to have fat transfers on various areas of my face? for an extra cost.
?Being a male patient, one of my big concerns was the possibility of a visible suture line around the ear. My fears were unfounded, as Dr. Koelliker placed the sutures on the cartilage inside my ears and and behind my hairline, where they soon became invisible. Turns out he shaved minutely an area to place the suture line in the hairline and held back the rest of my hair with pony tails. I was very impressed by the surgical accuracy (pun intended) with which he accomplished this.?
I'm an entertainer of a "certain age," who underwent a botched facelift in the U.S. about 9 years ago. At that time, I had already been in fairly regular contact with the lovely and kind Pat Marino, president and founder of Facelift Mexico, and I remained on the fence about whether I should chance having major surgery in a foreign country or "play it safe" by having the procedure performed by a top cosmetic surgeon in the U.S. I feared that if I went to Mexico and something went wrong, I'd have no recourse. My gut said, "go to Mexico," but my head disagreed, and I reluctantly gave in to my fears, opting to have the work done in the U.S., by a highly regarded cosmetic surgeon. Big mistake.
The "highly regarded" U.S. surgeon botched the procedure, leaving me with eyes that were of vastly different sizes, eyelids that wouldn't close when I slept, earlobes of vastly different sizes (he "accidentally" sliced-off half of one of them) and a badly executed neck ?lift?, which left the entire left side of my neck a wrinkled ?mess.?
Fast forward to 2015. After nine years, this old face was definitely ready for a tune-up and, hopefully, some long-needed revision. During the intervening years, I had stayed in touch with Pat, keeping track of Dr. Koelliker's continued successes and the glowing reports about Spa Club Casa Marino?. I was consistently impressed the kudos and glowing reviews and finally decided that it was time for me to take the plunge. I'm so glad I did.
My wife and I were greeted at the Leon/Guanajuato Airport by our charming driver, Hugo, driving a shiny new car. He delivered us to the beautiful, private, state-of-the-art Guadalupano Hospital in the city of Celaya, about 45 minutes from San Miguel. We were shown to our private room (a spouse and/or a companion may stay at the hospital as well, as each private room has a bed AND a convertible sofa), and we soon had a long consultation with Dr. Koelliker, a charming and compassionate person, as well as a highly skilled surgeon. Dr. Koelliker left us and returned a few hours later for another lengthy consultation. Once again, he departed and returned yet again to make sure we were absolutely clear regarding exactly what he was going to be doing the following morning, and how it would be done. During that afternoon and evening, an internist colleague of Dr. Koelliker’s visited us to discuss my upcoming surgery and to let us know that he would be on standby while I was in surgery, on the off-chance that his assistance might be required. Also, the staff came in during this period and performed all of the requisite tests to ensure that I was in good health and ready for major surgery.
The next morning, I was awakened and delivered to surgical theater, where I met my team: Dr. Koelliker, his colleague, another cosmetic surgeon who would be working with him, an anesthesiologist and two surgical assistants. I was in VERY good hands.
I was given i.v. sedation and the next thing I knew I was in my room, awake and feeling great. There was NO pain whatsoever, no nausea, no unpleasant side-effects at all. I was ready to go out dancing, but my wife and the staff had other ideas!!!
No less than five times that same day, Dr. Koelliker visited me to make sure everything was going well. He continued to do so during the second day as well. The nurses checked my blood pressure, and other vitals, many times each day. Never in my life have I felt so pampered and well cared for in any hospital ANYWHERE.
At around noon on day three, Huge was back to drive us to Spa Club Casa Marino, a trip of about 45 minutes. Upon arriving at Casa Marino, we were warmly greeted by our hostess, Pat; our personal health facilitator, Fabiola (her name says everything! She's pretty fabulous); and our talented cook, Feyla. Fabiola showed us to our spectacular suite, which was adorned with gorgeous gold Venetian Plastered walls; a high beamed ceiling; rich blue drapes and matching overstuffed easy chairs; two queen sized beds; two dressers; a huge hi-def, flat-screen TV (with cable and Apple TV included); and a toasty fireplace, crackling in the corner. One entire wall was floor-to-ceiling glass, covered with an exquisite vine-like wrought iron grid, looking out to our private garden patio with its bubbling fountain. Heaven!
Fabiola soon brought my medications from the pharmacy, and I settled-in for a pampered rest and recuperation. Every morning Feyla prepared and served a delicious breakfast to both my wife and me, chosen by us the night before from an extensive menu. We also were given ample choices for our lunches, which were, without exception, plentiful and tasty.
On day two, Pat's gracious and charming husband Greg Pope introduced himself and spent some time with us. Greg is a great storyteller with a wicked sense of humor, and someone we consider a wonderful new friend. If you're lucky enough to experience Facelift Mexico and Casa Marino, make a point of meeting Greg. You'll be glad you did.
I stayed in bed and took it easy, as my wife availed herself of the wonders of San Miguel de Allende, a World Heritage site, and one of the most beautiful places we've ever visited. Founded in 1542, San Miguel is overflowing with spectacular Baroque churches, mansions and quaint cobblestone streets. As I was able to join my wife's long walks, after a few days of rest, I must say I quickly discovered that the very best part of being in Mexico is the Mexican people. Invariably kind, courteous, friendly and welcoming, I can see why so many Americans, Canadians and Europeans have decided to live amongst the delightful citizens of this wonderful county.
During our forays about town, we discovered world class restaurants, silversmiths and craftspeople of all kinds, enabling us to pack our suitcases with gifts for friends and family back home.
One week after the surgery, Dr. Koelliker made a house call to Casa Marino to check on my progress and to discuss our plans for the following day, which included a return trip to Guadalupano Hospital for the removal of my sutures, from the face/neck lift, and the otoplasty (My ears now look great!) and an additional fat? ?transfer procedure.
Over the years, I had lost volume in my face and had gained a somewhat gaunt look. Dr. Koelliker liposuctioned a small amount of fat from my body (I offered to donate ALL of it to medical science, but he declined) and, after turning it into stem cells, injected it into areas of my face. The results are a resounding success.
Finally, a week after we had arrived, we reluctantly left Casa Marino and were driven to the Leon/Guanajuato Airport for our return to the U.S. It was merely farewell for a while, and definitely NOT good-bye, as we plan to return to San Miguel, and our wonderful new friends at Casa Marino, again and again.
Dr. Koelliker COMPLETELY eliminated any and all traces of the formerly botched surgery and gave me back my face, and ears, of 20 years ago. The work Dr. Koelliker accomplished so perfectly, for a mere $10,000, the work that was going to cost me $40,000 in the U.S. Not only is that a savings of 75%, but I feel confident I ended-up with a better result than I would have gotten back home. All that plus fantastic new friends and unforgettable memories of San Miguel.
In conclusion, If anyone reading this, who is considering cosmetic surgery, were to ask my advice, I would tell them, "Do yourself a HUGE favor and have your work done by Dr. Koelliker, a world class professional, while saving tens of thousands of dollars and eliminating the scary possibility of an uncertain outcome. Pat Marino, Facelift Mexico and Dr. Koelliker are, quite simply, the best, in any country, at any price.
Provider Review
Ever the consummate professional, Dr. Koelliker is not only a great surgeon, but also a warm, compassionate human being with a GREAT sense of humor. I felt safe, respected and well taken care of the entire time he treated me. He explained everything that he planned to do, why he was doing it in a particular way and what we could expect as an outcome. The results exceeded my expectations. I cannot recommend him highly enough.