POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
Found the Fountain of Youth! Thank You Dr. Koelliker, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico
UPDATED FROM Good Bye 50 Hello 30
1 year post
Was Mexico a scary decision? Was San Miguel de Allende dangerous?
WORTH IT$6,500
No and no. Mexico was an easy decision for me as I have lived in the country for going on eight years now. San Miguel was the first place in Mexico that I lived and I imagine that is why I am so in love with this country. I live at the beach now and did at the time I had the surgery. Because I live in Mexico I know that the stories presented in the news are grossly inflated to scare American's into staying home and spending their money there.
Is there crime yes. The drugs thing is between the drug people - - if you are not a drug dealer or seller you are of no interest to them. Normal petty crime is there but in small doses. As for the medical services (a two tiered system - the public is provided free to the poor, and then the private clinics and hospitals are for those with insurance or paying for their services) the price for the private system is a fraction and the procedures and treatment is to international standard. The doctors are talented, and the care is friendly and compassionate. The Doctors' know your name, they come to visit on their regular rounds, plus, plus. Dr. Keolliker visited me 4-5 times per day. When I arrived for my surgery I toured the hospital doing the meet and greet thing, I was curious and had the same thoughts in my head as you do so wanted to see for myself (I do not speak spanish but between the few words I have and the few words they have plus some gesturing, you know pointing like a child :) visiting the different departments including the kitchen of which I was invited into the back. There I met the head chief, reviewed their menu (yes, it's a menu) and I ordered my meals in advance. I requested pineapple of which they do not stock so he said he would make a special trip to the market to get me some pineapple for me. To his word, he made sure I had pineapple with my breakfast each morning (served on china with lace linens). Much to my surprise he came to visit me the day after my surgery...sweet, kind man. I tell you this in an effort to describe how friendly and willing they are to please.
One of the things that is different in Mexico that you may find a little challenging if you travel by yourself is that in the Mexican culture a family member stays at the hospital with the patient. The hospital rooms have beds in them for the family member to stay over night and traditionally the family members are the ones that adjust pillows, adjust bed positions and angles, they go to get the water, ice, request med's, etc. If you are alone be sure to ask that they plug in the hand buzzer (they have them but with family there they do not use them), position the phone and the electronic bed adjuster so that you can reach it. They customarily set these items in places for the family member to reach, not you.
It's a heartwarming environment as they do their best both in the hospital and at the recovery center to make you feel like you have family there with you. From start to finish it was a professional, pleasant, peaceful, comforting and relaxing experience. And my surgery, well you be the judge :) With a sigh of relief, I am happy to say that I am thrilled with my results.
Is there crime yes. The drugs thing is between the drug people - - if you are not a drug dealer or seller you are of no interest to them. Normal petty crime is there but in small doses. As for the medical services (a two tiered system - the public is provided free to the poor, and then the private clinics and hospitals are for those with insurance or paying for their services) the price for the private system is a fraction and the procedures and treatment is to international standard. The doctors are talented, and the care is friendly and compassionate. The Doctors' know your name, they come to visit on their regular rounds, plus, plus. Dr. Keolliker visited me 4-5 times per day. When I arrived for my surgery I toured the hospital doing the meet and greet thing, I was curious and had the same thoughts in my head as you do so wanted to see for myself (I do not speak spanish but between the few words I have and the few words they have plus some gesturing, you know pointing like a child :) visiting the different departments including the kitchen of which I was invited into the back. There I met the head chief, reviewed their menu (yes, it's a menu) and I ordered my meals in advance. I requested pineapple of which they do not stock so he said he would make a special trip to the market to get me some pineapple for me. To his word, he made sure I had pineapple with my breakfast each morning (served on china with lace linens). Much to my surprise he came to visit me the day after my surgery...sweet, kind man. I tell you this in an effort to describe how friendly and willing they are to please.
One of the things that is different in Mexico that you may find a little challenging if you travel by yourself is that in the Mexican culture a family member stays at the hospital with the patient. The hospital rooms have beds in them for the family member to stay over night and traditionally the family members are the ones that adjust pillows, adjust bed positions and angles, they go to get the water, ice, request med's, etc. If you are alone be sure to ask that they plug in the hand buzzer (they have them but with family there they do not use them), position the phone and the electronic bed adjuster so that you can reach it. They customarily set these items in places for the family member to reach, not you.
It's a heartwarming environment as they do their best both in the hospital and at the recovery center to make you feel like you have family there with you. From start to finish it was a professional, pleasant, peaceful, comforting and relaxing experience. And my surgery, well you be the judge :) With a sigh of relief, I am happy to say that I am thrilled with my results.
Good Bye 50 Hello 30's provider
UPDATED FROM Good Bye 50 Hello 30
1 year post
1.5 years post surgery
In this photo I had just finished a yoga class so other than a little bit of mascara I am not wearing any make-up. 54 this year and looking and feeling younger every day.
Replies (5)
S
June 29, 2014
After watching the video - I daresay because they provide full after care meals, nursing staff included...did she say $1800 for 2 weeks? That being the case probably a good deal, I am from NZ so know you will pay $750 a night here for that type of service.
S
June 29, 2014
You look very vivacious & happy :-)
LA
June 29, 2014
He does nice work Shazza and GB 50 does look very pretty and youthful However living in San Miguel I know what's available and it is pricey for many. My implant removal came with three days of wonderful aftercare in a beautiful facility, chauffeur driven, the works! That's standard procedure here in San Miguel because translated to Mexican pesos the doctors are actually charging a lot of money! Everything costs more in Europe and New Zealand. I am from the UK originally but our US dollar doesn't go far anymore
LA
June 29, 2014
I hit the key accidentally anyway yes, my aftercare was superb. I had a two bedroom suite, (within the surgery center facility) with a menu, television, wifi. My surgeon visited every three to four hours to check on me. A week later, he came to my house to remove the stitches. All very personal and that's how palastic surgery patients are treated here in general. It's all part of the fee. I didn't have to stay in a facility and pay an extra $1800 as part of the deal. That's a lot of money!!
S
June 29, 2014
Sounds wonderful - I did my FL in Malaysia with a surgery company & they were wonderful & half the price of here :-)
P
A
August 22, 2014
I am now 63. I had a facelift through 'faceliftmexico' when I was 57,and it was the best thing that I ever did for myself. People sort of gasp when I tell them my real age. I want to go back for a touch up.
F
Replies (5)
TC
May 22, 2014
You Look amazing, Congrats!!!!
G3
June 28, 2014
going to have to post a one and a half year photo - - loving how I look and feel!
AZ
May 27, 2014
The video is terrific! Your refreshed, beautiful look really suits your upbeat personality! :)
G3
June 28, 2014
Thank you :) you are far too kind. Personally I think I look better now than I did in the video and I'm one year and six months post op.
G3
S
N
May 30, 2014
I'm checking out your video now. You look amazing. Sitting here post day one I am trying to cheer myself by looking at all the beautiful results. Yours is one of the best I have seen. Congrats!
G3
June 28, 2014
May 28th? You are one month post op? How are you lovin' your new you?!?!?!??
N
June 29, 2014
Hello Goodby 50. I like my results but worry that I should have had a full face lift. I think if I had a do over I would skip the fat transfer and go with laser to address wrinkles. I'm still swollen so time will tell. I never looked into Mexico but have seen wonderful results.
M
LA
June 6, 2014
I have .heard good things about this doctor. However i have also heard that you may not see the doctor unless you stay at heir own designated place for a week at an additional cost of $2000. When you can stay in San Miguel for $300 a week why would they make staying at their facility a contingency? Turnoff!!
G3
June 28, 2014
Super glad I stayed. It's the around the clock care (if need be), you just had major surgery and you are a little fuzzy and not thinking all that straight. The professional staff make sure you take your med's, they are there to ask questions, you are fed, pampered and watched over. I watched one lady (also just had surgery) and all she wanted to do was lay down on her side and sleep. Well, the staff would not allow it - firstly, if she's sleeping all the time she can't be doing her icing; secondly and more importantly, sleeping on your side can tear you stitches open, and even worse, blood can pool and cause a hematoma (sorry, don't know how to spell) hematomas can lead to all sorts of problems - - and land you back in surgery, etc..... I learned this as I also kept and eye on her - - it's kind of like team work. There is no way that I would have done it any other way. They guided me the entire time - - I did not have to think about or do anything other than take care of me. You are brave to go it on your own. My first experience with a facelift was with a girlfriend of mine. She did it the way you are considering. She had the surgery then stayed with me. Now knowing what I know i feel horrible about what I did not do for her or help her with. She did have a problem (minor) but had no one but me to tell. If she had been at a recovery retreat she would have had someone to tell and would have had a solution and comfort all most immediately. My recommendation is go with the recovery retreat - - in my opinion it is just as important as the surgery itself. All I can say is I am happy with my decision/s and results -- wish the same for you.
LA
June 28, 2014
In that case for $2000 more plus airfare it brings the total cost to about $10,000. You can have it done in the US for that cost and you have a recourse should anything go wrong. I had a mini FL in 2010 i n Rancho Mirage cost me $3500 with a well reputed PS. Of course i didn't do my eyes they didn't need it but still.. if i had wanted a full necklift (which really is a good lower facelift..it would have cost me $6500.... One should at least have the option of staying where one chooses. Just sayin'
Replies (3)