Costa Rica is an important destination for medical tourism. Thousands of patients come to our country from Europe, Asia and North America each year to seek medical attention. Cosmetic surgery is another reason why foreigners come to this beautiful country. Most of our surgeons have trained abroad in hospitals and universities throughout the United States and Europe. Patients can have their operations performed by well-surgeons, and at the same time, spend their time recovering in a relaxing beach resort.
Any patient planning to undergo an aesthetic medical procedure in Costa Rica needs to consider some key things to make the most of their experience. We would like to offer a few recommendations that we think will help you be prepared for the journey ahead.
Make your plans well in advance
Contact your surgeon. We recommend that you first contact your surgeon two months in advance via e-mail with basic information about your concerns. You can also schedule a Skype (or similar) interview, during which your surgeon will discuss the surgical plan, options and expectations. This first interview is important because it also allows the doctor to determine what preoperative lab work or other medical consultations are needed. It will save you a lot of time and stress to have all the lab work ready to show your surgeon upon arrival. Having a preoperative evaluation indicating that you are good candidate for the surgery you are contemplating will also speed things up.
Plan your stay. Once your surgeon has informed you of the procedure you will be undergoing, begin planning your stay in Costa Rica. It is wise to look for hotels or Airbnb’s near the surgical center and surgeon’s office for the first week of recovery since you will be expected to attend the next-day and one-week follow-ups. Most practices will assist you in looking for an adequate place based on your needs and preferences. They can also recommend restaurants and things to do during your stay.
Book a resort. If you plan to spend 2 to 3 weeks in Costa Rica to recover from surgery, you may want to spend part of that time in a rainforest or beach resort. Costa Rica boasts beautiful beaches and rainforests just a few hours’ drive from San José, the nation’s capital. Many of these resorts are all-inclusive, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing, worry-free experience among beautiful, natural landscapes.
Take plenty of time off
Having plastic surgery is no minor thing. It is very important, when planning your operation and recovery time, it is important to consider the time that tissues take to heal. The average time to consider taking off for your surgery is two to three weeks. At minimum, you should plan be remain in the country until your surgeon has removed sutures and has confirmed that the surgical outcome is satisfactory.