I have been looking into cosmetic surgery in Costa Rica. I very much like the idea of combining procedures with a holiday. However, there seem to be a lot of cosmetic doctors. Could anyone give some tips on where to go best (or where not to go)
I went to costa rica at the beginning of this month and had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast reduction w/ implants, My surgeon was Dr. Luis Da Cruz, he works out of the clinica Biblica hospital in San Jose and the MD his office and the hospital were wonderful. My complaints lay w/ the Los Cumbres surgical retreat, this is where I stayed for my 2 week recovery. What a horrifing experience. Their price does not include air conditioning, so if you require this add $8.00 / per night. There were small ants everywhere in my room and even in my bed one night. This is just what I needed after 6 hr. major surgery. The Inns answer to this problem was to give me a can of bug spray, which through my asthma into full swing and coughing was very painful after the abdominal surgery. They are under construction and do not tell you until you have arrived there. They were walking on the roof and dropping pipes all day long / to me this was not condusive to healing and was upsetting and stirred up the ants even more. They changed a pipe in one girls room and when she took a shower she go the ants all over her and she was screaming naked in the hall for the nurse. There were 4 rooms of people who checked out early and went somewhere else. Of course there was a policy that they still had to pay 50% for the room for the remainder of the time. I was by myself and too sick to try to move and find a hotel. The meals were to be included in the price but most were terrible and to me unedable. I lost 10 lbs the first 4 days at the "recovery resort" which was not good for my healing process. The laundry smelled like urine, the sheets and towels, I don't think that they used bleach, and when I left I had a cellulitis of the breasts which I still have and I am horrified that my sutures will open up. I am sure this is from the dirty linen and towel which you do not have much choice to use. The pool was nice but could not enjoy sitting there either d/t the construction and welding showering down around you. There was no place to walk except for around the pool. Some people went outside the gait and walked but it was a very steep hill and dangerous/ all of San Jose is dangerous/ everyone has there homes barricaded w/ iron gates w/ barbed wire around the top / they have imprisioned themselves. One good thing about the Los Cumbres inn was the nurses, they were very good and kind and spoke english/ but according to their web site the whole staff is fluent in English , but it is not true, mostly just the 2 nurses that work there.
If it had not been for Joanne Sawicki's comments (June 20. 2007), about the Las Cumbres Retreat in Costa Rica, I would have fallen victim to the same horrible experience. I made a reservation to stay there and recouperate after my surgery. After reading Joanne's article I called Las Cumbres asking about any construction they would be having. They admitted that there was going to be construction at the retreat during my post-surgical stay with them. Needless to say, I made other hotel arrangements. But, Las Cumbres has now asked me to pay a cancellation fee for their deliberate ommission. I will be disputing any charges on my credit card from Las Cumbres. I hope this helps anyone else who may be considering staying there.
I recently stayed at the Chetica Ranch in Costa Rica. This is a 3 star Motel Ranch facility. Though the grounds are lovely, this is not my choice for a place to recover from surgery.
1. The beds are very hard
2. The sheets are polyester and neither sheets or bedspreads are changed daily.
3. The floors are dirty.
The chetica is a very rustic motel style facility that might suit someone going to Costa Rica for Dental work but if you are having major work done there are no nurses on site and the place is 20 minutes from the hospital in case there are complications after surgery. The trip up and down the mountain to town is 20 - 30 dollars. It adds up over the week.
The owners make you sign something stating that there are no refunds or cancellations so if you do reserve a room, do not commit to staying the entire stay at the ranch because they will not give you money back if you want to leave. Even if it is an emergency. They are very money motivated and charge a hefty hotel tax on top of the room rate PLUS if you want to pay off extras you charged during your stay by visa or mastercard, they will tell you that have to add another 40.00 to the acutual bill to cover the visa fees. Seemed to me they were trying to make an extra buck on the customer every time they could and when one is feeling so helpless after the surgery it doesn't seem that "loving" to be nailing the patient for fees and more fees.
The worst part is the stained towels they give you . Just not acceptable. Chetica, go buy some new towels and don't be so stingy with them. Many patients have lipo and want a steady supply of fresh clean towels to deal with the leakage.
I just returned from a 2 week + stay at Chetica and was very happy with the care. The staff is very attentive, the laundry clean and stain free. If you like special linens, then bring your own. Food was terrific. The extra time to and from San Jose was worth the lovely, quiet retreat in the mountains.
I have stayed for 11 days at the Las Cumbres Inn and am very happy with the experience. The staff is outstanding and always ready to help, the sheets and towels were clean, and the first thing I noticed when I entered my room was the fresh smell of cleanliness.
The meals were excellent and the variety quite amazing. I am sorry that someone here went through that horrible experience, but I am surprised because it does not seem to apply to the same place at all.
I will come back for more dental work and am planning - as well as another person I met here- to come back to Las Cumbres, no doubt. I stayed in one of the suites, very comfortable space for a very reasonable price, 3 meals included. I met a wonderful group of people there and we really had a great recovery time together. Elke, the owner of the Inn, goes to great lengths to make you feel at home. There is always a driver ready to take you wherever you want to go. The view from the rooms is superb, overlooking volcanos. I must add that I am very difficult to please, and would rather stay home than spend time in a mediocre hotel. It was a beautiful experience that I can't start to renew.
I am replying to Joanne's blog. Cellulitis is usually caused by a Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) or even Group A Streptococcus (Strep.) Believe it or not, most of these infections occur in hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices thru open scars, cuts, etc. This is a scary thought, but I have seen it happen plenty of times. Everyone should beware of the way that they are taken care of, especially post-surgery. The "dirty sheets" are not the cause, unfortunately for your misleading blog.
Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics, so if she still has it, then her doctors don't know what they are doing!
Surprisingly, Joanne lists that she is RN, but I hope that the nurses that will take care of me are better educated than her!
I stayed at Chetica Ranch in a room called, Bourbon Street, November 2006, and was impressed with the service. As a matter of fact, it may have leaned toward too much attention opposed to not enough. My linen was clean, the room was acceptable and the food was decent. The staff was like family and the people who resided there for during their surgical procedures bonded very nicely. It is a bit far from town, but was worth it. As far as the beds are concerned, comparing to beds at home (U. S.), I found out that even the "higher end" hotels had hard beds (like sleeping on the floor). The mattresses that I found acceptacle in all of my trips to Costa Rica were in the North American chain hotels that were way over-priced. Accept the fact that "you are not in Kansas anymore"; go home and appreciate what you left.
I know what cellulitis is caused from and I beleive that the drainage of others on the sheets were the cause of the infection / there were very large amts of drainage and staining on the linens and probably staph. You never know what an infection comes from but it is certain that when I came home everything cleared up. I know some people are making a business out of getting others to go to the los cumbres inn and arranging the entire horrible experience for their own monitary reasons but I have no other reason except to let others know about my experience. If I was to have surgery again in costa rica I would stay at a well known hotel and get a suite of rooms for the same price I paid at the Los cumbres inn/ I could hire a private nurse for $30.00 a day and really have myself a recovery at a resort.
I'm planning on having a tummy tuck and facelift early spring 2008. Since there is conflicting reports about Las Cumbres and Chetica Medical resorts...how does one go about getting a private nurse while staying at a nice resort or hotel?
Hi! If you are interested in Costa Rica Plastic Surgery Information (doctors fee, hospital cost, plastic surgeons and others) visit the new web site www.paradisecosmeticinn.com is very nice!
A better place to get the info is planethospital.com They personally check out each resort and doctor for you and get you consults with several places. I am at Las Combres right now actually and I don't see any construction. I am very particular and found the room very clean, no bugs (I have allergies) alot of amentities to make you feel at home and the pool has no construction either. Elke told me they are adding another suite, but i don't see any of it taking place right now... we are here until tommorrow. the patients here are very happy.
I have researched as much as possible and decided Dr Rashi Rosenstock would be as good as any as he is ASAPA certified. Has anyone any experience at the Cohen, Lieberman clinic where he works?
I just wanted to mention that you could never hire in Costa Rica a registered nurse for $30.00 a day. More like $150.00 for the entire day, and for half day is $70.00.
I'm travelling in Sept to Costa Rica to have some "work done". I couldn't be more excited. I have researched for over a year, emailing different docs and Inns. There is another site, psjourney.com, that has very useful info. I have decided on Dr. Da Cruz and Las Cumbres Inn. Both have incredibly informative and helpful coordinators and respond very quickly to emails. I will post again once I return. Best of luck to those on a similar path. Aloha
It is incredible that so many people have differing opinions in regards to where to stay! Whoever complained about beds has a good point, after some serious surgery I would love to have something cushy, more luxurious to sleep on. I agree, you're not at a 5* vacation spot, so you have to accept some things the way they are in those countries, however, you really are saving some $$ for the procedures.
My question is this: I've heard there are some surgeons there who are American Board certified, however, when I try to check them out thru' that website, it doesn't come up that that have any info on the doctors! I want to be 200% sure I"m putting my body into the right hands given the distance I'm going to get this done.
Everyone I've emailed there has been very helpful, but I really need to know if any of my choices for doctors has had lawsuits against them. Any suggestions?
PS a friend of mine had an eyelift done in CR about 10 yrs ago, she still looks great and raves about the care she received.
I am going to Costa Rica later on this week. I saw the posts for Las Cumbres Inn just now..though the construction seems to have on in the summer time. I am chosing between Las Cumbres or La Ville Mas... I NEED HELP!!! The last time I stayed in Costa rica, I was so miserable..becasue of the care..i don't want to make that mistake again!!
Please contact
I posted something around a week ago...yes, i waited until the last moment. This is the thrid time I've been to Costa Rica. It is now my third day into surgery. I love Villa Le Mas. It is incredibly affordable, the owners are wonderful, and it's in the mountains. It's a tad bit of a further drive, though the temperature is very nice here. And the view is breathtaking. I saved up all year for my trip, and it was worth it. I would HIGHLY recommend this place.
I am going in May and am having quite a bit of work done and am 80% sure I am going with Dr. Luis Da Cruz??? Anyone care to share their experience with him??? Additionally I was considering Dr. Pino for breast work a week later??? Again has anyone used this Doctor??? Thanks! Oh, I've decided to stay in a hotel due to the negative experiences others have had at the recovery centers, I am a bit discriminating and would rather not have the possibility of a negative recovery spot. The hotel I chose is La Sabana - the have rooms, studios and apartments. Has anyone had an experience here???
HI all, I stumbled into this website, there are lots of info regarding plastic surgeons and retreats in CR if you go to www.plasticsurgeryjourneys.com
Many of your questions here you can find in that forums. I went to Dr. da Cruz for TT, Lipo and implants and stayed Le Mas, my experience was all positives.
Good luck
I want to go to Costa Rica for a face life, eyes and forehead. I have been referred to two: Dr. Ernesto Martin and Dr.Gabriella Guzman-Stein. Has anyone had any experience with either ?
I travelled to San Jose, Costa Rica in November 2006, and again in November 2007. On the initial visit I received augmentation mammoplasty and lipoplasty. Second visit, abdominoplasty.
I am happy to say that I went to Dr. Rashi Rosenstock, and recommend him highly. I was treated with respect and dignity by him, he did an excellent job, and all with charging me through the nose. He belongs to the American and Costa Rican boards of plastic surgery.
First..I've seen work with Doctor Pino.. it is fine, though he is not liberal with size. I've had my breasts with Dr Peralta, and I am partial to him
I would suggest where I just stayed, with Ingrid. It is New, they are american.. more easy to communicate, clean, and you have meals served. I've been to costa rica a few times... Please do not go to a hotel.. after surgery...it is way too hard! You want to have someone check on you..and bring you food.
My sister and I are planning a trip in July to costa Rica and planning on using Dr. Da Cruz. Most everything I have read is good. He is recommending a endotine face lift has anyone had this done? Also any dentist for implants would be greatly appreciated. We were told to stay at the Las Cumbres is that our only option with Dr da Cruz. Thanks for your input also we are both have Breast lifts with implants any feed back on that is welcome. Richelle
We have just had macs face lifts and forehead lifts in Costa Rica. We stayed at Villa Plenitud. This is the only facility certified by the Costa Rican Government as a medical facility. It is ten minutes from CIMA and fifteen minutes from the airport. Their website is villaplenitud.com. Check it out and the doctors associated with them. First Class!! Villa Plenitud is a great facility with great food, great care, great management and a wonderful location. P.S. We, also, stayed there last year for eyelid surgery.
Can you all tell me if youve used him before or have any friends who have. he seems to be associated with Dr Luis Da Cruz but also seems so young cant see any photos of pre or post of any of these drs any suggestions or info. Which makes me wonder about length of experience but perhaps Im not looking in right places
Has anyone had experience with Dr. Luis Pastor at Costa Rica Health? They use the La Catolica Hospital, and also Aradhika Recovery Center. I am trying to schedule a face lift and upper and lower eyes. Any info or comments are appreciated? Thanks.
Reguarding the dentist your looking for, for implants, Dr. Mario Garita was great, speaks good english, tells you what hes going to do and discusses it with you, if you have any other questions you can email me at , he also recommended the Las combas to stay at
Are you sure you stayed at the Villa Le Mas? There is NOT a way for foreigerns to break in.. Unless the cab drivers knocked on your door. I can't see anyone walking into your room, unless they work there. In that case, the owner should have interveined. It is a brand new facility, with electric fencing (as many places have), guards, dogs, etc. Yes, you can hear the dogs at night.. though most of the places have dogs.
Beds-yes, they were a little harder. There is a sheet of thin plastic over top the mattress, because of potential leakage. This was the third place I've stayed. Most places have hard beds.
Food- I'm a thicker girl, a size 10, perhaps a 12. It is so habitual for americans to eat more. Ever since then, I've been portening out everything.. it was a good experience. If you eat a little more, take a cab ride to the store.
I like everyone here was so excited when I made my reservations for Costa Rica to have my work done. I even went twice! I went the first time for my teeth. I needed a lot of work done including multiple implants. I decided while there to have a thigh lift. I have lost 120 pounds over years and it has had it's affects.
I was really upset when I was informed that I would have to return to have my dental work finished and that instead of the $8-10,000 I thought it would cost it was going to cost me $18,000. Now I think OMG that was Costa Rica! Unheard of. I think they saw me coming! At any rate I had my thighs done and it was a lot worse than what they told me it would be but I got through it. I came home with an infection which was treated but the scar on one side is lumpy, ugly, and still has black sutures ( the ones that were suppose to dissolve they said) and I am embarrassed my it but figured it was the cost of getting it done and my legs do look so much better. I was ultimately happy with those results. I was even excited about returning to finish having my teeth done.
While in the doctors office they pointed out my eyes and how they could fix them for $1200 ( which happen to be the change due to me on my cashiers check)with a lift and by removing the "fat pads." I declined at that time but couldn't stop thinking of how the doctor said he could make me look 10 years younger.
Fueled my a break-up that happened in the couple of months between trips,and despite being less than thrilled with the results ( I forgot the mention that it is obvious they suctioned out too much fat when they did the lift as my thighs cave in now... at least they don't sag was my logic) I decided to go for it.
It was hard work getting all the dental work done. Despite my shaky state one day the doctor continued to go for 8 hours with me in the chair. I started crying and couldn't stop I was so overwhelmed by that much work in one day but we didn't have much of the 2 weeks left that he told me it would take. In the hours just before I was getting ready to leave the final caps were placed on my teeth.
I got on the plane and less than 3 hours one of the implants was broken from chewing on a piece of candy, soft candy. Two days after that another crown broke. I was told that the doctor would of course be happy to fix it, if I came for 3 days.....
The only complaint I have about the eye surgery is that as I was in gown waiting I was charged $700 more than I was told it would be.... Payable right there by credit card. They were happy to get the phone so I could call and make sure I enough credit on my card though. The results are good. I look less tired and a bit younger.
I came home looking pretty good and feeling somewhat happy with every thing. That was until last week when I was diagnosed as having hepatitis c. They can pretty much narrow it down to Costa Rica because I had a negative test right prior to the trip. This a blood to blood disease and is caused in hospitals by transfusions or equipment that are contaminated. I wasn't told that I got blood. There was no reason they should have given me blood so I assume it is about dirty equipment somewhere along the line..... do they reuse their needles? I don't even know! They certainly do not have the sterilization facilities that our facilities here in the states have that prevent this from happening to patients.
Now, I wonder if it is all worth it. I may end up needing a liver transplant one day. All because I wanted to save money by taking a short cut. These doctors are not Certified by the same boards that certify our "Board Certified" doctors. They just lead you to believe that they are.
Yes, I may look 10 years younger but I may die looking 20 years older of a horrific disease of the liver.
For those of you still going.... I stayed at the Paradise Cosmetic Inn. It is a newer recovery retreat. It was nice enough. The staff was very helpful and welcoming. The nurse there was very caring. I didn't care for the food and I wasn't the only one, but there were others that seemed to enjoy it.
I had a breast augmentation with Dr. Pino. I'm not severely disfigured, but I'm not happy with my results. I only wanted to be a DD cup size, but now have 32FF breasts based on his recommendation of cc's. The thing that really bothers me is how deformed one of my breasts gets when I flex. I emailed him pictures and explained my problem and he never even bothered to reply back.
Before I went to Costa Rica, I heard a lot of people who "knew" somebody with good results so I trusted my choice. Now that I look back, the only personal story I saw was a woman who was unsatisfied like myself.
Interesting to read the different experiences. I have found Dr Fournier and so far he seems well qualified. I would like to know if anyone has any knowledge? I like the fact that he provides a great deal of personalized info in advance and provides "prescription" for vitamins and healing techniques after. Info would be greatly appreciated...I head to CR in July 08.
I am still in Costa Rica and working my way through the different systems. Do NOT stay at Chitica Ranch - they wrote a rediciculous letter less than a week before my arrival (bascially overbooking). Villa Plenitud has a nice location and some great staff on board but NONE of the the promised medical help (no nurse, etc)that is often needed. They also did not assist with some serious problems at Cima Hosptial when needed. Villa Le Mas can be a bit funky in parts but in general has been fabulous! The key staff are great, they have real medical help on board, food is good, and their views are breathtaking. My particular room is beautiful whic is a help since I'll be here for quite awhile. The owner Ingrid couldn't be nicer!
Cima Hospital was a pure nightmare - still dealing with them. If you don't speak Spanish, don't even enter the front door without your own private English speaking nurse (mine never showed up). Nurses coughing in your face, not answering call buttons, having no idea what you need - the list is LONG. Pretty on the outside but a mess inside.
The best news is the doctors - have heard many good things about them. My doctor Rodrigo Araya is one of the best (face life and lipo) and so is my dentisit Dr. Luis A Baez Astua.
By the time all is done, I think things will be fine. Just find the right support systems to help you through the many complexities.
I'm considering the doctors at this center for several facial procedures. I also am considering staying at the Paradise Inn. Has anyone used these doctors or facilities?
I'm considering the doctors at this center for several facial procedures. I also am considering staying at the Paradise Inn. Has anyone used these doctors or facilities?
I'm considering the doctors at this center for several facial procedures. I also am considering staying at the Paradise Inn. Has anyone used these doctors or facilities?
I'm going in July '08 for porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and breast lift with implants.
Any feedback on Dr. Kaver?
Also, I'm really in the dark looking for a breast lift surgeon. Would appreciate some guidance. I don't want a surgeon that will give me larger breasts than I bargained for...
Made first visit in mid-April of this year. Dental evaluation and had placed 4 dental implants. We stayed at Las Cumbres.
I think the person above that described it a 3star versus 5star here in the states summed it up perfectly. IT WAS FINE! All the other guests I spoke with during my 10 days there, had no complaints either. We are not "high demand" guests by any means, but I found the amenities overall to be perfectly fine. We had good service, very nice attention to the follow-up care, and found the cooked meals there to be absolutely fantastic. We did have an instance where we had left the patio door open and no surprise some flys came in, but after all we left the door open right? They came and addressed the "problem" and left us with a can of spray.
The only other thing I would suggest considering, is that the overall culture of the people I met at Las Cumbres, the dentist, and out and about seems to be much more relaxed ( less uptight) than what we in the US are accustomed to - I can easily see this coming across or being interpreted as being unconcerned.
I am going back in the fall to finish dental work and will stay at Las Cumbres again and I certainly am not receiving any incentive to write this.
I too am planning work in Costa Rica at the Rosenstock Center and would like advise on where to stay as i am conceerned now about staying at the Chetica Ranch.
Any info would be appreciated as i am planning to depart and in four days and changing hotel reservations would have to be done pronto!
Two years ago I had a TT and Lipo. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Rivera. I'm diabetic, so I was concerned about the procedures and recovery, but I needn't have been. Dr. Rivera was exacting, professional, and very respectful. I would trust my health and well-being to him again and probably will.
As for Las Cumbres, there were pluses and minuses as there usually are, but the positives far out weighed the negatives. Would I go back? I might want to try someplace different, but from what I've read so far, it doesn't look like there is any place that is definitively better.
