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POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS

Cautionary Tale of Cosmed Clinic - Tijuana, MX

ORIGINAL POST

Ironically, on my flight to Tijuana, I sat next to...

Eastcoasting
$4,000
Ironically, on my flight to Tijuana, I sat next to a woman who raved about her Brazilian plastic surgeon and said, "oh god, you're not going to Mexico, are you?"
The price is not dramatically less. The doctors and staff seem more attentive over the phone and through email, and they always have time to you pre-op. Turning it into a mini vacation sells the appeal.
I traveled alone. An employee of cosmed eventually picked me up from the airport. I was questioned by federal agents for lingering in baggage claim alone for an extended period of time in a city notorious for trafficking of everything. Off to a good start.
The office lobby of cosmed is lovely. The operating area, not so much, but by then, you've already paid and you're in Mexico.
Cosmed recommended that I stay at an "aftercare" facility nearby. The official cosmed vehicles were nowhere to be found so I had the pleasure of traveling alone in taxis that had no business being driven, let alone up and down steep hills. The aftercare facility was a house. Patients slept upstairs on cots, shared one bathroom, and the downstairs area was occupied by a man who watched television and shouted on the phone. The day I arrived, the only other patient was leaving for a hotel and suggested I immediately do the same. No one spoke Spanish which made aftercare quite difficult, or asking for food, etc. I asked for a refund so as to check into a hotel. Cosmed staff translated for me and it was agreed I would receive one. Surprise, I didn't.
Juan Fuentes of cosmed did not explain much of the procedure so there was confusion afterward. The bone graft that I didn't about or agree to reabsorbed shortly after the surgery. Via email, I asked what these terrible pains and what this rectangle shaped thing between my eyes was. He then informed me of that whole thing he never mentioned, and that sometimes yes it sinks back into the face oops.
My nostrils never healed. It was an open surgery. The stitches are still visible and sore. Blowing my nose is not a thing and washing my face is an ordeal since any touching of that area stings and burns.
I can not inhale or exhale through my nose. This is a bigger deal than the projection being totally different than the result, or him doing a shoddy job, or whatever. After blaming swelling, scar tissue, and anything else he could think of, Fuentes simply likened it to being as if I had died during the surgery. You know, just some unforeseen outcome that isn't his problem.
Not surprisingly, that attentive staff disappeared and Fuentes returns neither phone calls nor emails. After all, once he has been paid in full, you are not his problem; you're a former patient.
If your doctor says medicine is not a science, you're probably better off operating on yourself.

Eastcoasting's provider

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD

Plastic Surgeon

4.7 | 178 Reviews
PROFILE

Eastcoasting rating for Dr. Fuentes:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
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Replies (54)

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March 7, 2014
I'm very sorry that you had a bad experience. Thank you for your review. Hopefully others will learn from it. I hope you're able to get your issues resolved. How long has it been?
March 7, 2014
I feel embarrassed to have had the nightmare stereotypical surgery abroad experience but I hope my experience saves someone the time and money and emotional distress.
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March 7, 2014
I know what you mean. I think just the fact that people know I've had a rhinoplasty is embarassing but its even more embarassing because it turned out bad.
March 7, 2014
It's NOT your fault and SHAME ON ANYONE who tries to embarrass you!
March 10, 2014
thanks for this, it's such a stressful thing especially when so many warn against going to mexico for surgery. to end up with the exact troubles they warned about is just...
May 23, 2015
Wow Thank you for sharing. I almost considered him to do my nose. Although i didn't like the fact he wasn't to explanatory about options. I'm going to have it done here in Los Angeles
March 7, 2014
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is very generous of you to think of others who need this type of Frank information when you have been through such pain and disappointment . I hope you can find someone to repair your nose.
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February 10, 2016
Everything described does not match the surgeon or facility. I'm glad I didn't let her review discourage me from using Dr Fuentes and Cosmed. My experience was far beyond my expectations!
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March 7, 2014
Thank you for sharing on RealSelf! I'm glad to see you are getting some support from others in the rhinoplasty community.
April 11, 2014
I'm sorry you felt that way, when was your surgery he has been in a new location with a recovery hotel boutique for over two years??