Startling Advice from a Top Plastic Surgeon
Posted 11-05-2009 at 11:57 PM by Donyadc
Thinking about coming to Costa Rica for plastic surgery? Advice from one of Costa Rica's leading plastic surgeons, Dr. Miguel Alfaro, may surprise you. Here are three tips that can help you make the decision that is right for you.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You? According to Dr. Alfaro, the answer may be "No."
People explore plastic surgery for many reasons; from reconstructive surgery to reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment, to severe burns, muscular and hand surgery. Although most of the patients seen in our practice come for elective cosmetic surgery. Common elective surgeries include facial operations, eye lids, rhinoplasty, corrections of deformities of the nose, breast lifts and breast augmentation, and abdominplasty or tummy tucks. An effective plastic surgeon will treat the individual as a whole person and explore the reasons why the person is seeking plastic surgery before the patient under going any surgery at all. According to Dr. Alfaro, it is imperative to listen to the patient and the reasons he or she is seeking a surgical intervention. "Some doctors may simply tell the patient that the surgery will be very easy and it's a fantastic option and that you are going to enjoy fast, simple and great results. This is just not the way to go", states Dr. Alfaro. "I feel that we are surgeons must talk to the patient about the risks associted with plastic surgery and that any procedure although rare can involve some complications such as: bleeding, possible infection and damage to the nerves, loss of sensitivity, visible scars— it is our job to prepare the patient before surgery an all these possibilities as well as the many benefits plastic surgery offers a patient to best help them make an informed decision." Understanding your own motivations and reasons for seeking plastic surgery and finding a doctor who is not only highly qualified as a medical professional as well as one who is sympathetic to your particular situation are keys to positive surgical outcomes. A doctor who is willing to discuss the pros and cons of any surgical procedure can help you shape realistic goals and results. Deciding to forego the procedure altogether might be the best decision for you. "You have to tell the patient that there is no magic about plastic surgery. The surgical procedure is not going to change their life. It's going to change the way they look and maybe the way they feel; it may make them happy about that, but that's all," says Dr. Alfaro.
Coordinating Care Seeking medical treatment outside of your community presents issues pertaining to pre- and post-surgical care. Like many physicians who work with patients from the US, consultations take place over the telephone and via email before and after the procedure. Coordinate care with your local family doctor to make sure your medical records are exchanged and follow up care secured to make your treatment as seamless as possible. Coming to Costa Rica for follow up care after an operation performed in the US is also an option. According to Dr. Alfaro, "I have some people that go to the States for an operation and I am very happy to remove their sutures here and do the follow-up and call the surgeon in the States and tell them they did a great job and I'm taking care of your patient and she's doing very well." Coordinating care is an important element of receiving medical care and post-operative recovery can be done at home or in a relaxing environment in a place like Costa Rica as long as physicians in both locations are in communication with each other. Although coordinating care between doctors may be necessary for medical tourists, Dr. Alfaro affirms: "I prefer to do all the pre and post operative visits myself. After the operation I like to follow-up all my patients personally until I can comfortably dismiss them from the office." Highly personalized health care is one of the benefits that Costa Rica offers to its medical tourists.
Separate the Facts from the Rumors Rumors abound about substandard care, incompetent doctors, and other horror stories for patients seeking treatment outside the US. It is your job to distinguish fact from fiction. Dr. Alfaro acknowledges, "There are wild rumors that are circulated that you shouldn't go to Costa Rica, Mexico, or Columbia because the level of medicine is bad. But it's just not true. The standard of medical care is excellent in these countries." For example, in Costa Rica, two of its major hospitals, CIMA and Clinica Biblica are Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited medical institutions. Many of the physicians practicing in Costa Rica are US trained such as Dr. Alfaro who trained in general surgery at the University of Costa Rica, University of Michigan, and the University of Missouri as well as completing residency studies in plastic reconstructive surgery at the University of Colorado. Research the credentials and experience of a Costa Rican health care provider the same way you would if you were receiving the same treatment in the United States. You can find doctors in Costa Rica who are as well qualified professional who are comfortable working with international patients. Plus there is the added benefit of these services being provided at much more affordable prices than in the US. Members of the US medical community may be adverse to you seeking care outside the United States for many reasons including concern for the quality of care, liability for post-operative care, or resentment for the loss of business. Researching the qualifications of the person and facility where you will receive your care, whether in the US or Costa Rica, is a much easier task thanks to the internet, email, testimonials, and a host of other resources that are readily available. You have to make the health and financial decision that is right for you and your family. Incurring the displeasure of a member of the US health care profession might be an unpleasant side effect of deciding to secure medical treatment abroad but it is a fact of life that quality, low cost health care is available outside the United States delivered by professionals who are highly trained and experienced. Understanding your own motivations for wanting plastic surgery and sharing them with the physician who will provide the procedure can foster a relationship of trust needed between patient and doctor to generate the results that both parties want. Coordinating care will help your recovery go smoothly. Ensuring that the professional you have chosen is well qualified is a simple and easy step to a successful outcome. Following basic advice from an experienced plastic surgeon can help you make the healthcare choice that is right for you.
Interested in exploring plastic surgery options in Costa Rica? Contact Costa Rica MD today at:drmalfaro@costaricamd.net to receive more information to help you decide if this is the right healthcare decision for you. By filling out our short and private patient information registration form, you will receive a complimentary medical services quote from Dr. Alfaro. Many thanks to Dr. Alfaro for sharing his medical expertise and experience with medical tourists for Costa Rica MD.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You? According to Dr. Alfaro, the answer may be "No."
People explore plastic surgery for many reasons; from reconstructive surgery to reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment, to severe burns, muscular and hand surgery. Although most of the patients seen in our practice come for elective cosmetic surgery. Common elective surgeries include facial operations, eye lids, rhinoplasty, corrections of deformities of the nose, breast lifts and breast augmentation, and abdominplasty or tummy tucks. An effective plastic surgeon will treat the individual as a whole person and explore the reasons why the person is seeking plastic surgery before the patient under going any surgery at all. According to Dr. Alfaro, it is imperative to listen to the patient and the reasons he or she is seeking a surgical intervention. "Some doctors may simply tell the patient that the surgery will be very easy and it's a fantastic option and that you are going to enjoy fast, simple and great results. This is just not the way to go", states Dr. Alfaro. "I feel that we are surgeons must talk to the patient about the risks associted with plastic surgery and that any procedure although rare can involve some complications such as: bleeding, possible infection and damage to the nerves, loss of sensitivity, visible scars— it is our job to prepare the patient before surgery an all these possibilities as well as the many benefits plastic surgery offers a patient to best help them make an informed decision." Understanding your own motivations and reasons for seeking plastic surgery and finding a doctor who is not only highly qualified as a medical professional as well as one who is sympathetic to your particular situation are keys to positive surgical outcomes. A doctor who is willing to discuss the pros and cons of any surgical procedure can help you shape realistic goals and results. Deciding to forego the procedure altogether might be the best decision for you. "You have to tell the patient that there is no magic about plastic surgery. The surgical procedure is not going to change their life. It's going to change the way they look and maybe the way they feel; it may make them happy about that, but that's all," says Dr. Alfaro.
Coordinating Care Seeking medical treatment outside of your community presents issues pertaining to pre- and post-surgical care. Like many physicians who work with patients from the US, consultations take place over the telephone and via email before and after the procedure. Coordinate care with your local family doctor to make sure your medical records are exchanged and follow up care secured to make your treatment as seamless as possible. Coming to Costa Rica for follow up care after an operation performed in the US is also an option. According to Dr. Alfaro, "I have some people that go to the States for an operation and I am very happy to remove their sutures here and do the follow-up and call the surgeon in the States and tell them they did a great job and I'm taking care of your patient and she's doing very well." Coordinating care is an important element of receiving medical care and post-operative recovery can be done at home or in a relaxing environment in a place like Costa Rica as long as physicians in both locations are in communication with each other. Although coordinating care between doctors may be necessary for medical tourists, Dr. Alfaro affirms: "I prefer to do all the pre and post operative visits myself. After the operation I like to follow-up all my patients personally until I can comfortably dismiss them from the office." Highly personalized health care is one of the benefits that Costa Rica offers to its medical tourists.
Separate the Facts from the Rumors Rumors abound about substandard care, incompetent doctors, and other horror stories for patients seeking treatment outside the US. It is your job to distinguish fact from fiction. Dr. Alfaro acknowledges, "There are wild rumors that are circulated that you shouldn't go to Costa Rica, Mexico, or Columbia because the level of medicine is bad. But it's just not true. The standard of medical care is excellent in these countries." For example, in Costa Rica, two of its major hospitals, CIMA and Clinica Biblica are Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited medical institutions. Many of the physicians practicing in Costa Rica are US trained such as Dr. Alfaro who trained in general surgery at the University of Costa Rica, University of Michigan, and the University of Missouri as well as completing residency studies in plastic reconstructive surgery at the University of Colorado. Research the credentials and experience of a Costa Rican health care provider the same way you would if you were receiving the same treatment in the United States. You can find doctors in Costa Rica who are as well qualified professional who are comfortable working with international patients. Plus there is the added benefit of these services being provided at much more affordable prices than in the US. Members of the US medical community may be adverse to you seeking care outside the United States for many reasons including concern for the quality of care, liability for post-operative care, or resentment for the loss of business. Researching the qualifications of the person and facility where you will receive your care, whether in the US or Costa Rica, is a much easier task thanks to the internet, email, testimonials, and a host of other resources that are readily available. You have to make the health and financial decision that is right for you and your family. Incurring the displeasure of a member of the US health care profession might be an unpleasant side effect of deciding to secure medical treatment abroad but it is a fact of life that quality, low cost health care is available outside the United States delivered by professionals who are highly trained and experienced. Understanding your own motivations for wanting plastic surgery and sharing them with the physician who will provide the procedure can foster a relationship of trust needed between patient and doctor to generate the results that both parties want. Coordinating care will help your recovery go smoothly. Ensuring that the professional you have chosen is well qualified is a simple and easy step to a successful outcome. Following basic advice from an experienced plastic surgeon can help you make the healthcare choice that is right for you.
Interested in exploring plastic surgery options in Costa Rica? Contact Costa Rica MD today at:drmalfaro@costaricamd.net to receive more information to help you decide if this is the right healthcare decision for you. By filling out our short and private patient information registration form, you will receive a complimentary medical services quote from Dr. Alfaro. Many thanks to Dr. Alfaro for sharing his medical expertise and experience with medical tourists for Costa Rica MD.
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