My friend, Dara, just wrote asking about plastic surgery here… "for a friend," she said. Right. It’s ok, Dara. Trust me, I understand. Actually, since Dara is still in her 30’s and gravity has not yet begun it’s most serious work on her, she probably really is asking for a friend. Bet she keeps the info handy… You just aren’t 30 forever, even though you think you will be.
I remember the first time I looked down and saw that my hands looked like my mother’s. You know: old. That was a shocker. More than the first wrinkle. Gosh, that was a long time ago.
If you’ve read the blog for awhile, you know I had my eyes done here. I would not recommend my surgical team, even though I’m sure 99% of their surgeries come out perfect. Mine didn’t. Nothing terribly bad. I’m still beautiful and young looking, but I’ve got a funny bump beside my left eye and occasional pain under the eye, like there’s a bump under the eyelid or something. Have to get it looked at. I am going back to this team, let them take a look. They are lovely there and very busy. Before I damn them completely, I need to give them a chance to explain. Before I have any repair work, I will get a second opinion from another doctor, one of the people below.
Funny, kinda feels like I’m talking about my car and not my EYE! But if it were my car and they screwed it up, I wouldn’t take it back to them… I’ve always reasoned if a car repair place could have done it right the first time, they would have. Somehow, I don’t feel the same way about my plastic surgery.
Makes no sense to me either. I’ll keep you posted.
Dara’s friend wants to find out about liposuction. That’s the only thing I cannot watch on tv. Gross. But people love the results. Since I had my surgery, I’ve met LOTS of people here who’ve had one thing or another done. My really great looking friends have recommended these people (not in any particular order):
Dr. Oscar Suarez – very highly recommended by a bee-you-tee-ful friend.
Dr. Alejandro Lev
www.terminallyvain.com (great name, huh?)
506-232-5515 (from the states, you dial 011 first)
Dr. Luis Pastor
506-224-9907
Recommended by my GP here; I didn’t use him because I couldn’t find his office. I could find it today…
Dra. Anabelle Salas Pereira
506-208-1715
Plastic Surgeon at CIMA hospital
This is the website for the association of plastic surgeons in Costa Rica.
A friend who has lived here a long time and had great plastic surgery said, "There are many docs in Costa Rica that practice plastic surgery that are NOT plastic surgeons…Same as in other countries." This site has a database of all medics registered in all specialties.
Plastic Surgery Journeys, a forum about plastic surgery outside the U.S.
Here’s a welovecostarica.com forum post. You may have to join the site but it’s free and easy to do.
Here’s a Fodor’s forum page with links to other forums
MakeMeHeal doctor directory with reviews
Another excellent resource – good to read first!
I’ve found that most people who’ve had plastic surgery are ECSTATIC about sharing their experience, whether pro or con. So if you want to write someone from a forum who’s had the thing you are having, you will likely get a response with TMI.
I also found a youtube video and then the full transcription from a 20/20 segment on plastic surgery in Costa Rica. But the video was chopped to emphasize the bad and the 20/20 anchor was a bit of a fear-mongerer, like she was hoping something ugly would happen so they could sell more ads. I didn’t include it here, too slanted, but you will find it if you search Costa Rica plastic surgery.
ALL, with the exception of the glitch in my left eye, of our medical care, from colonoscopy to teeth cleaning, in Costa Rica has been exceptional. At least as good and usually much better than we ever had in the states. Plus, it doesn’t come close to breaking the bank. Even if we had to leave here, we’d come back for our health care. It’s that good. Most of the doctors here have trained in the states and most speak at least passing English. You do want to know exactly what your doctor is saying…
Pura vida. I’ve said it before: you can afford to live that here.
Oh my, “terminally vain”? That’s rich. I really want my nose done, but I am too worried about the outcome to risk it. My sister had hers done, and frankly I think it looks like crap (let’s keep that just between us readers here). I hope you are able to resolve your eye issue with minimal pain and hassle. I don’t know though about returning to the same place. I have a friend who has had three nose jobs now and each time her nose start straight, then a bump of cartilige (sp) migrates to one side. Same doc all three times (and yet another reason why I might just let me bulbous nose be). It might be time to strongly consider another practice. Just sayin’.
I hear you… that little bump and the tiny bit of pain is not THAT bad… I’ve put it off at least six months now. We’ll see (no pun intended)!
I thought you looked beee-you-te-ful before!
Guess I didn’t notice the little bags or tiny wrinkles you claim you had. Your inner radiance hid them in my eyes.
You are so smart. Thank you.
Good to see you posting again. Hope your money-making schemes are coming to fruition, it certainly seems like you have been working at it alot! Okay and singing, but who doesn’t do that? We have been busy busy busy here with similiar self-discovery. Wish us luck.
See you soon,
Jen
BTW – you are a little hottie, and I stress the little…..
DISCLAIMER: I talk like I’m an expert but I’m not. If I’m interested in knowing about something, I dig deep. But people who know just enough about a subject to think they know Something Important are dangerous. Including me.
I’m not afraid of plastic surgery, I know you pays your money, you takes your chances, I’m comfortable with taking responsibility for my actions. I lay blame where blame is due, whether my feet or someone else’s.
Perhaps I should be more cautious. But then I probably wouldn’t be married, I’d probably still be drunk. I definitely wouldn’t have adopted. Or be living here. If I were more cautious, I probably wouldn’t have a funny bump beside my eye… reminder of my pathetic vanity. I’m going to have to keep counting on my winning personality…
Wow, Jen. Thanks!!! Guess there’s no age limit on hottie… My friend Barbara and I are going to the gym now, too. Pretty soon no one will notice the bump by my eye.
Thanks, Claudia. I will post your link and would love to see your surgeon for a second opinion!
Hi, I was researching the Internet for plastic surgery in Costa Rica when I came to your site. Lo and behold, I also lived in KW for 15 years. Even more a surprise, I worked on Sunny Days Boats. How shocked was I to see my ex boss Sonny appear in your site. Huh!
Anyhoo, I am getting “some work done” in early September with Dr. Suarez. Thanks for your input, knowing someone living there in CR, would recommend him seems to make it less scary. Weird huh?, Mary B
Well, Mary B, we’ll have to have coffee when you get here! Weird or synchronicity? See you in september! We must know each other… unless I knew you in my Bad Girl period. I don’t remember much from those years.
Have you been back to the Rosenstock Clinic yet? We’ll be visiting Costa Rica later this year and wanted to consult with a couple docs, one of whom is Rashi Rosenstock, so we’ve definitely got a dog in this race. Keep us posted?
I did go back and was not impressed with the answers. I have an appointment this week with Dr. Lev (Terminally Vain.com) who did some beautiful work on a girlfriend of mine. And I will have an appointment shortly with Dr. Suarez. I’ll update this post with more detail after both. I would now not recommend or return to R/L.
I read your comments from awhile back and happy that you have more current emails here.
I have booked plastic surgery (face/neck/eye/arm lift) in 2 weeks and yes, it’s at Rosenstock with Rashi. After reading your comments I”m nervous again! I thought I’d squelched my fears along the way by reading everything I could on the subject.
I don’t mind if you email me directly so I can get a few more answers and thoughts re having this done in CR. I started on this whole thing because friend had her eyes done at Rosenstock clinic about 12 yrs ago and she looked great, with no problems either.
Can anyone add any recent experience in CR, particularly with Dr. Rashi Rosenstock?
Thanks, I seriously would appreciate a quick response BEFORE leaving for CR !
The person who was dogging the “Rosenthol” clinic should at least get the name right. It’s Rosenstock, not Rosenthol. The very unfortunate death of the patient was caused because of an undisclosed heart condition. I had work done there a couple of years ago and they were EXTREMELY proactive as far as ensuring there were no underlying conditions that would affect results or cause harm. For instance, they were making all patients have a pre-op EKG. My blood pressure was a little high due to being nervous (understandable) and they refused to operate until my blood pressure normalized. They are not taking any chances. Besides, when you consider the thousands of procedures done by this clinic, one mortality, however sad and unfortunate, is one out of thousands and thousands of patients. By the way, I was and still am thrilled with the results and when I need future procedures, you can bet I will be going back to Rosenstock. I had already decided during the consultation when I first arrived at the clinic that if there was anything that didn’t sit well with me as far as cleanliness, facilities, etc. I would turn around and walk out and just call it a vacation. Everything was state of the art. The doctors and staff were wonderful. My aftercare facility (in no way associated with Rosenstock) however, was not a place I would return to. I will try Les Mas next time.
My wife and I met Dr. Lev in October, 2008. We also met Dr. Cohen, Dr. Rosenstock’s partner (Rosenstock was called away at the last minute – we had traveled to CR specifically to meet him, natch). And we met Dr. Pino. Of the three docs we met, we were most impressed with Dr. Lev. He was thorough, bright, funny, had great pics and just inspired confidence. Not sure if that’s enough to choose his scalpel, however…looking to get a facelift and neck lift, among other things. How was your consultation/meeting with Dr. Lev?
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I loved Dr. Lev and, if I can find an extra $5,000, I’m going for the lower lift. Apparently I’m not going to get any younger…
Some local friends told me “all the ticas” use Dr. Lev. And a girlfriend got a lower lift, eyes done, a nose job and perky breasts. She looks great, so I’m in with Dr. Lev.
I had eyelift and a brow lift with Dr. Lev one year ago this month. I love him! Doc’s down there are so diffent from doc’s in the US. Much more down to earth & real. anyway, I look great. His whole team there is wonderful and the Villa Plenitude is a great place to heal. I’m saving now for my tummy tuck maybe to go a year from now I hope. God bless all who go.
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Thanks, Carol, for the recommendation. If I do anymore work, it will be with Dr. Lev!
Hi – I can’t really make recommendations over and above those I’ve made on the blog. I will use Dr. Lev in the future or Dr. Suarez, have not heard of Da Cruz.
My wife’s on track to have a face lift with Dr. Lev in October. If anyone has any info pro or con, speak soon 😉
Well, I’ve heard nothing but good things and if I have anything else done, he’s the guy. Please ask her to give a full report – or I can interview her for the blog afterwards. That would be cool! Need before and afters…
I just got back from Rosenstock Clinic, Monday Aug 31st for breast lift and implants and love handle lipo, was up hiking the next day after surgery went home on Friday, my choice, dr cleared me too. Today is Sept 8th and went to Labor day parties, great results, have one small rock in tummy but all in all it looks like it did when I was a teen. Saw good work on eyes too from patients at my recovery ranch. But heard you should stay away from nose jobs there. Saw people from different dr.s at recovery place, and results all were so different, it is a chance, is it worth it? For me, yes. My husband is like a kid already and it has only been a week. Good luck to you all!!
Thanks for reporting in, Tammy. Lots of people have had good success at Rosenstock, just not me! Another guy I met who had his eyes done at the same time loves his results. I was one of the statistics, I guess! Glad to hear all is well – what fun!
Okay, we’re scheduled to arrive in San Jose in a week. We’ll be staying for a while. Surgery w/Dr. Lev, if there *is* to be surgery after the final consultation, takes place soon after our arrival. Since my wife values her anonymity, a before/after pic is probably not in the works. But I’m pretty sure she’d give a report.
I’ll look forward to it! If you want to have a coffee, I’m always up for that. You can call me at 2228-9474. Pura vida!
Your 23 Sep 09 post prompts me to ask this: Are you a friend of Bill? If so, that’s something we’re definitely interested in. And coffee.
Me and Bill go way back. See you soon!
Hi, my friend & I will be arriving in Costa Rica in November both of us are schedule to have surgery with Dr. Luis Da Cruz & are staying at Las Cumbres for recovery. Can ANYONE tell us from their own experiences if they think we are making a good choice of doctor & recovery center? Thank you so much – any & all information is welcome.
HI Kelli,
Don’t know anything other than what you read here on Da Cruz and nothing about Las Cumbres. Please report back here how it went for you, though, so the next person can read your report! I also have http://www.costaricabluebook.com and I will post the Las Cumbres info there when you report! Thank you.
I just returned from three weeks in Costa Rica where I had a tummy tuck, facelift, and eyelift performed by Dr. Alejandro Lev at the CIMA Hospital in San Jose Costa rica. I recovered at the Villa Plenitud which is a recovery retreat located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
This was one of the most positive experiences I have had in my life. I cannot say enough about the professionalism and caring of all involved. My tummy tuck has the most minor, gorgeous incision. My face lift/eye lift were flawless. I am happy to personally recommend Dr. Lev and Villa Plenitud.
Thanks, Jeri! I appreciate the feedback.
Wondering if anyone has any comments about Dr. Ernesto Marten? Thanks.
Dr. Marten has retired. I had a face lift and tummy tuck 19 years ago. I loved him and was very happy. I don’t know if anyone bought his Clinic. But he has retired.
Thank you for letting me know! Good for you and good for him 🙂
I would recommend certainly Dr. Pastor or Dr. Centeno, I think both of them are really good. Rosenstock is great as well. In fact most Costa Rican trained surgeons are great. I have met with several of them and I have to say that they are terrific in what they do.
Don’t believe everything people say online.
Best,
Don’t leave the country to get plastic surgery at all. There are so many risks involved. It gives me a headache thinking about all the ‘what if’s.’
Dr Ernesto Marten was the perfect doctor for a natural facelift. He retired this year 2015 and wonder if he has referred patients to another plastic surgeon? He was the best ever and would love to have someone that does such a great job for another face lift, but would only go to someone that Dr Marten would recommend. Does anyone know or how to find out?
I agree, he was one of the best. I liked going to his clinic. He did so many of my friends.
I’ve not heard of him but there are links in the post to forums where you could ask. I’d try there next!
I am thinking of having lower eyes nose and mini armlift. DR Pastor and Dr Le seem to have great reviews Do you have any information on them and suggestions for aftercare places and cost of those places Where do you fly into?
I don’t… we haven’t lived there for five years now so I’m not up on all this stuff. I’d look on tripadvisor and the like and study those reviews. Also the doctors should be able to recommend a good place for recovery. You fly in to San Jose — that’s the major airport and most of the doctors and clinics for this are right around here.
Hi Ann, I asked Scott Oliver, a good friend and the owner of http://WeLoveCostaRica.com. He suggested Ginette at http://www.casalaurin.com. I met Ginette when I was in CR, very nice woman. She is personal friends with some of my friends in CR; she is also a friend on Facebook — she’s been in Costa Rica for years. I can recommend her without hesitation, I would stay with her!
I am heading back to CR in May for more dental work and want to get a mini face lift. Has anyone had experience with Dr Suarez? Do you know how to get in touch with him? Unfortunately, Dr Lev is out the month of May.
Hi Gaby, I have never used Dr. Suarez but I asked a good friend (who is still in CR) about him and she said this: “He is awesome, an artist, the best in the world. He is a true artist, honest, just the best. I love him and his whole staff, have used him for many different things. Small stuff mostly. But I did a tummy tuck that changed my whole lifebest 60 year old belly button in Costa rica”
I’d say that was a pretty good recommendation! I’d have no qualms about using him. Who are you using for your dental work?