For Plastic Surgery it is important that you have a good health condition and be a psychologically stable person. A well balanced diet enriched in vitamins and proteins is recommended.

Avoid smoking two weeks prior surgery and two weeks after. Nicotine produces problems to skin blood circulation and to the wound healing process.
Four weeks prior surgery avoid medications containing aspirin such as: Motrin ( Ibuprofen ), Alka Seltzer because they can increase bleeding during the operation. Tylenol and acetaminophen are allowed.

If you are less than 40years old we will take a complete blood test when you arrive to the country. If you are more than 40 years old or if you are less than 40 years old but have a history of diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, reumathoid arthritis u other disease, you must have a general health assessment by an internist or cardiologist.
For we have a better idea of the surgery most apply to your needs, you can send photographs, front and sides, two profiles, of the region of your body you want to be operated on.

When you are ready to schedule surgery, we will review our surgery schedule to determine possible dates that will fit into your schedule. There are certain times of the year when the surgery schedule is very busy and will determine how quickly you can have your surgery.
Upon scheduling surgery we require a non-refundable 25 % deposit to hold the date.

Surgery can be performed in a number of locations. Generally, aesthetic plastic surgery takes place in a Hospital ( Clínica Bíblica ) or in an ambulatory surgery center. The different in the total cost is between 500 to 1000 dollars. These facilities meets strict health care guidelines and are equipped with the latest in surgical technology.


After surgery:

• Facelift
Resting for several days is important, and one should rest or recline with the head elevated to limit swelling. It is normal for incisions to ooze some blood and serum after the procedure, and soft swelling is to be expected even when the above suggestion is followed. We perform a surgery with minimal scars and good results. The face will usually feel "numb" and stiff for a time after surgery, but this will resolve as the days and weeks pass.

Slight discoloration of the skin is usually normal, particularly if the skin is soft. If the skin is purple and feels hard, the doctor should be notified. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. It is often wise to alter the diet temporarily so that foods are chosen which are relatively easy to chew. Facial skin sutures will usually be removed within a week.

The patient will usually be socially presentable in 7-14 days. The majority of the swelling will also resolve in a few weeks, but patients should be aware that some months of recovery is needed to see the final outcome and fully evaluate the procedure's success. The most of the time we perform a neck liposuction together with the facelift. Makeup can normally be applied in about 10 days, but consult the doctor to see if this is best in your case as slight differences in individual healing may prompt him to ask that you wait a bit longer. Do not use hair dye until 1 month after the operation.

• Neck Liposuction
One should plan to rest for a day or so after surgery, and keeping the head elevated will help limit swelling. If the doctor has prescribed a compressive garment or wrap this should be used according to his instructions. All the day for 7 days and bedtime for 3 weeks. It is quite normal for the tiny incisions to leak some fluid over the first 24 hours or so. Mild to moderate bruising is not unusual and should resolve in 1-2 weeks. Swelling should be soft and relatively non-tender. About half of the post-surgical swelling will resolve within a month, but it will be 3 months before most of the swelling is gone and the result can be evaluated. Avoid all strenuous activity for 1 week after surgery (you may take non-strenuous walks).

Thereafter resumption of your usual activities should be fine. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. When absorbable internal sutures are used in the tiny access incisions, these require no removal. If a suture or two is used externally, the doctor will remove these in about a week. Makeup can usually be used after a week or so, but consult the doctor to see if this is best in your case as slight differences in individual healing may prompt him to ask that you wait a bit longer.

• Rhinoplasty
Resting for several days is important, and one should rest or recline with the head elevated to limit swelling. A small dressing placed over the nostrils (called a "mustache dressing") will collect the secretions that normally ooze from the nostrils over the first day or so. This can be changed as needed. If you sneeze or cough open your mouth. Pain is often moderate and is usually responsive to oral medicines provided.

If the pattern of pain changes dramatically for the worse, the doctor should be informed. A nasal splint will usually be placed by the doctor at the time of surgery and left in place for a week or so. Eyeglasses can be gently rested on this if needed. For the first day or two, cool compresses used intermittently over the eyes will help limit the swelling and bruising of these structures. Moderate swelling of the lids can be seen notwithstanding this practice, however, and bruising of the lids is not uncommon. This will usually resolve in 7-14 days. The nose will feel "stuffed" for a week or two because of dried secretions within and swelling of the nasal lining. Patients should not blow the nose or put items within the nostrils to deal with this, however.

Instead, nasal sprays recommended by the doctor can help to break up crusts and mucus. When the splint is removed( approximately 10 days ) the external nose will be notably swollen. However, it is ordinarily quite presentable at this point. If an "open" rhinoplasty was performed requiring external sutures, these will removed at this time. Most of the swelling will resolve over several weeks, but the truly final result won't be appreciated for several months. Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks gradual resumption of exercise is fine but sporting activity that puts the nose at risk for "contact" should be delayed for several more weeks.

• Otoplasty
Resting for several days is important, and one should rest or recline with the head elevated to limit swelling. If a dressing has been placed, this should be managed according to the doctors instructions. However, if significant new pain develops beneath a dressing, it should be removed and the ear examined. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. Soft swelling is usual, and there may be some blunting of the shape detail within the convolutions of the ears. Bruising is usually mild and should be soft.

If an ear is purple and hard this should be brought to the attention of the doctor. Showering is fine once dressings are off, but cleansing should be limited to allowing water to run over the ears. Incisions may be gently cleansed with half-strength hydrogren peroxide solution if there is any dried blood or serum on the surface of the skin. Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks post-operatively gradual resumption of non-contact exercise is fine.

Sutures can usually be removed in about a week, and the ears will often be presentable in this time. Most of the swelling is resolved within a few weeks. If the doctor has asked you to do so, use a headband over the ears when sleeping until instructed to discontinue its use (approximately 3 weeks).

• Eyelidplasty
Resting for several days is important, and one should rest or recline with the head elevated to limit swelling. Intermittent use of cool compresses on the eyelids for a day or two will also help with swelling. The eyelids should be treated quite gently, however, as the skin is thin and fragile. Tearing is normal in the early post-op days and one should use eye drops or ointments as recommended by the doctor. If the lining of the eye becomes very irritated of there is a sensation of "something in the eye" that causes pain, the doctor should be notified. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery.

After 2 weeks post-operatively gradual resumption of exercise is fine. It is normal for incisions to ooze some blood and serum after the procedure, and soft swelling is to be expected even when the above suggestions are followed. In many cases there will be bruising ("black and blue") which will resolve over a period of from 7-14 days. Use of sunglasses when outside is a good idea during this time, both to hide the swelling and to protect the eyes from strain.

Upper eyelid sutures can usually be removed in a few days with lowers removed soon thereafter. The doctor may alter this routine somewhat based upon swelling and the tension observed in the wounds. Most patients will be socially presentable within a week or so. Near complete resolution of swelling will be accomplished within two to three weeks. Use of makeup in women can usually be resumed in about 10 days, but consult the doctor to see if this is best in your case as slight differences in individual healing may prompt him to ask that you wait a bit longer.

• Browlift
Resting for several days is important, and one should rest or recline with the head elevated to limit swelling. Avoid all strenuous athletic activity for 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks post-operatively gradual resumption of exercise is fine. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. It is normal for incisions to ooze some blood and serum after the procedure, and this may dry on the scalp and in the hair. The hair may be gently washed after 24 hours, but one should not scrub the scalp. Water may be allowed to run through the hair in the early days and shampoo may be added thereafter. Absorbable scalp sutures usually require no removal.

When clips of non-absorbable sutures are used, they will usually remain for 10-14 days. Swelling naturally follows surgery, and the forehead may look tight and shiny on its surface. The patient will be presentable in just a few days, but must expect that some weeks will be needed to see resolution of most of the swelling.

• Augmentation
Right after breast augmentation the breasts will be sore and feel quite tight. There is a good deal more pain expected when the implants have been place beneath the chest muscle. Oral pain medicine will not remove all soreness, but should make the discomfort quite bearable if used as directed.

Resting and sleeping with the back up may make you more comfortable. Although lying on one's side is acceptable if you find it comfortable, you should not lie on chest for the first few weeks. If drains were placed these will be in for from 3-7 days. You will be instructed in their care and in how to empty and measure their output. Keep a record for the doctor so that he can well judge when to remove them. Once the drains are out you may shower (without scrubbing over the wounds) and pat yourself dry thereafter. It is a good idea to dry the areas of the incisions with cool forced air from a blow dryer to dry the tapes left on the skin. Be careful to test the temperature with your hand before using the dryer. For the first week or two it is preferred that you wear no bra, but simply a loose fitting top.We will give you a special bra for the first weeks.

After two weeks you can begin to wear a cupless jog bra that is not too tight. By 4-6 weeks post-operatively it is fine to invest in some new brassieres. Wounds are closed with internal "absorbable" sutures which require no removal. These will usually be reinforced on the skin surface with tapes. Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. From 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively, lower body exercise is fine, but exercise involving the use of your chest muscles should be postponed until 4 weeks after surgery. Keep a light gauze between your incisions and your clothes for a week to avoid any allergic reaction or irritation from dyes or detergents in the cloth. If the gauze becomes lightly stained with a yellow or pinkish fluid, change it as needed.

If tapes left on the skin ("Steri-strips") become loose or fall off, dry the skin and replace them with those provided by the doctor. Sexual intercourse can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks. When full activities have been resumed, wear good support for your breasts in the form of a well-fitted bra.

• Mastopexy
Breast lift, or "mastopexy" is often associated with mild-moderate discomfort in the early days, and there may be a bit of "stinging" sensation in the incisions. The usually modest pain is responsive to the oral medicine provided but severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. There may be some numbness in certain areas of the breast skin, but this will ordinarily resolve over time. Plan to keep the breasts dry during the first few days, using a tub bath instead of a shower. Once you resume showering (without scrubbing over the wounds), pat yourself dry thereafter. It is a good idea to dry the areas of the incisions with cool forced air from a blow dryer to make the tapes left on the skin dry.

Be careful to test the temperature with your hand before using the dryer. For the first week of two it is preferred that you wear the surgical bra provided. After two weeks you can begin to wear a cupless jog bra that is not too tight. By 4-6 weeks post-operatively it is fine to invest in some new brassieres. Sutures used are of the internal "absorbable" variety and, in general, do not require removal. However, their presence immediately below the skin surface may lead to the exposure of some (called "extrusion" or "spitting"), and these will be removed for you by the doctor.

Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. From 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively, lower body exercise is fine, but exercise involving the use of your chest muscles should be postponed until 4 weeks after surgery. Sexual intercourse can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks. Keep a light gauze between your incisions and your clothes for a week to avoid any allergic reaction or irritation from dyes or detergents in the cloth. If the gauze becomes lightly stained with a yellow or pinkish fluid, change it as needed. If tapes left on the skin ("Steri-strips") become loose or fall off, dry the skin and replace them with those provided by the doctor. When full activities have been resumed, wear good support for your breasts in the form of a well-fitted bra.

• Reduction
Breast reduction is often associated with mild-moderate discomfort in the early days, and there may be a bit of "stinging" sensation in the incisions. The usually modest pain is responsive to the oral medicine provided, but severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. There may be some numbness in certain areas of the breast skin, but this will ordinarily resolve over time. If a significant reduction has been done, there can be permanent loss of sensation in the nipples. However, some sensation return may be experienced over a period of many months. Plan to keep the breasts dry during the first few days, using a tub bath instead of a shower. Once you resume showering (without scrubbing over the wounds), pat yourself dry thereafter. It is a good idea to dry the areas of the incisions with cool forced air from a blow dryer to make the tapes left on the skin dry.

Be careful to test the temperature with your hand before using the dryer. For the first week of two it is preferred that you wear no bra, but simply a loose fitting top. After two weeks you can begin to wear a cupless jog bra that is not too tight. By 4-6 weeks post-operatively it is fine to invest in some new brassieres. Sutures used are of the internal "absorbable" variety and, in general, do not require removal. However, their presence immediately below the skin surface may lead to the exposure of some (called "extrusion" or "spitting"), and these will be removed for you by the doctor.

Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. From 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively, lower body exercise is fine, but exercise involving the use of your chest muscles or impact should be postponed until 4 weeks after surgery.Sexual intercourse can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks Keep a light gauze between your incisions and your clothes for a week to avoid any allergic reaction or irritation from dyes or detergents in the cloth. If the gauze becomes lightly stained with a yellow or pinkish fluid, change it as needed.

If tapes left on the skin ("Steri-strips") become loose or fall off, dry the skin and replace them with those provided by the doctor. When full activities have been resumed, wear good support for your breasts in the form of a well-fitted bra.

• Gynecomastia
Some soreness and a sense of numbness over the chest is normal after surgery. Wear the provided compression garment for two weeks, removing it only for showers. Pain is usually modest and is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. If drains were placed these will be in for from 3-7 days. You will be instructed in their care and in how to empty and measure their output. Keep a record for the doctor so that he can well judge when to remove them. Once the drains are out you may shower (without scrubbing over the wounds) and pat yourself dry thereafter. It is a good idea to dry the areas of the incisions with cool forced air from a blow dryer to make the tapes left on the skin dry.

Be careful to test the temperature with your hand before using the dryer. When absorbable internal sutures are used in the incisions, these require no removal. If suturs have been used externally, the doctor will remove these in about a week. Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery. From 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively, lower body exercise is fine, but exercise involving the use of your chest muscles should be postponed until 4 weeks after surgery. Keep a light gauze between your incisions and your clothes for a week to avoid any allergic reaction or irritation from dyes or detergents in the cloth. If the gauze becomes lightly stained with a yellow or pinkish fluid, change it as needed. If tapes left on the skin ("Steri-strips") become loose or fall off, dry the skin and replace them with those provided by the doctor.

With resumption of chest exercise you will likely feel some tightness and mild discomfort in the chest. Be careful to return to weight-lifting and other heavy exercise gradually so as not to irritate the recovering chest muscles.

• Liposuction
Expect some discomfort after surgery, particularly in the abdomen or lateral thighs if these areas have been treated. The modest pain is responsive to the oral medicine provided. Severe pain should be brought to the doctor's attention. It is quite normal for the tiny incisions to leak a significant amount of fluid over the first 24 hours or so. This is some of the fluid which the doctor infused into the fat at the time of surgery. Be prepared for your clothes to be stained with this and be careful about where you sit or lie during the first day after surgery to avoid staining good furniture. Since your compression garment is likely to become stained with this fluid early on, change it for the second clean garment provided and launder the first. After 24 hours you may shower (without scrubbing over the wounds) and pat yourself dry thereafter.

Wear the supplied compression garment at all times for 4 weeks, removing it only to use the toilet or to shower. Mild to moderate bruising is not unusual and should resolve in 2-4 weeks. Swelling should be soft and relatively non-tender. About half of the post-surgical swelling will resolve within a month, but it will be 3 months before most of the swelling is gone and the result can be evaluated. When absorbable internal sutures are used in the tiny access incisions, these require no removal. If a suture or two is used externally, the doctor will remove these in about a week.

Avoid all strenuous activity for 2 weeks after surgery (you may take non-strenuous walks). From 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively, slow resumption of your usual activities should be fine.

• Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty often requires several weeks for full recovery. Early after surgery, the belly feels quite tight, and standing up fully straight is often not possible. The need for this "stooped" posture will end within 7-10 days in most cases. You will initially be most comfortable resting and sleeping with the back slightly elevated and the knees bent (a "beach chair" position). Soreness is normal and changes in position will produce pain in the early days. Oral pain medicine will not remove all soreness, but should make the discomfort quite bearable if used as directed. The main abdominal wound is closed with internal "absorbable" sutures which require no removal. These will usually be reinforced on the skin surface with tapes. Umbilical sutures may be non-absorbable and will be removed in about two weeks. Ordinarily, drains are left under the skin for removal of serum during the first week after surgery.

You will be instructed in their care and in how to empty and measure their output. Keep a record for the doctor so that he can well judge when to remove them. Once the drains are out you may shower (without scrubbing over the wounds) and pat yourself dry thereafter. It is a good idea to dry the inside of the belly button with cool forced air from a blow dryer. Be careful to test the temperature with your hand before using this on your abdomen since the sensation has been diminished in your belly skin and you will want to avoid an inadvertent burn from a hot blow dryer. Keep a light gauze between your incisions and your clothes for a week to avoid any allergic reaction or irritation from dyes or detergents in the cloth. If the gauze becomes lightly stained with a yellow or pinkish fluid, change it as needed. If tapes left on the skin ("Steri-strips") become loose or fall off, dry the skin and replace them with those provided by the doctor. In the early post-op time eat a balanced diet which is easily digested. Foods that you know to be "gas producers" for you are best avoided early on since they can add to the uncomfortable tightness in your belly.

If constipation becomes a problem natural remedies like fruit fiber (e.g. from prunes) or Metamucil are the best first choices. If these fail, a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia may suffice. Consult the doctor before taking stronger medication. Resumption of mild athletic activity that does not stress the abdomen may be initiated two weeks post-operatively. Exercises that put a great strain on the abdominals (like sit ups or crunches) should be put off for 2-3 months, however, so as not to place any muscle tightening at risk.