Testimonials - Cosmetic

We had been contemplating some cosmetic surgery for sometime….My wife wanted the Liposuction treatment on her Tummy and I was tired of the puffiness and “sacks� under my eyes. We had heard about all of the cost benefits of have same done Ex US but were somewhat leary about the idea. We finally went “fishing� on the net and found the Med Journeys site

We made contact with Tim Wallace and he did an absolutely superb job of making of my wife and I feel very comfortable about having the procedures done in Costa Rica. Jeff Pierce did a great job backing up Tim.

Upon arrival in CR, we were met by Med Journeys staff in Costa Rica and taken to our Hotel. The Hotel was just great !! The food was just fine, the people at the Hotel seemed to go out of their way to accommodate our any request. The Med Journeys local people were just great.

Bill Cook at Biblica hospital, and his Staff did a wonderful job of holding our hands and being there when we needed them during, and following the actual procedures. It was great to wake up in recovery and see Starlene standing there. Cecil, Bill`s assistant was most helpful.We thought the hospital was really first class.

Lynn and I could not be more pleased with the entire “Med Journeys� experience and would be very happy to assist you by answering a limited # of phone inquires from prospective clients.

As an RN, I was concerned about having the appropriate pre-op procedures. They were all expeditiously accomplished the following morning along with thorough pre-op consultations with my surgeon and anesthesiologist. My surgery followed promptly in the afternoon. Following surgery, I found the nursing staff to be very knowledgeable, caring and efficient. My room was very clean and comfortable. The Yanhee International Department staff followed my case closely and Natt, the Med Journeys case manager in Thailand visited me daily in the hospital.

On day five after surgery, Natt took us to our hotel and established us in a large well equipped deluxe room with balcony overlooking the Chao Phraya River, which met all of our needs. Natt even made sure I had plenty of extra pillows for my recovery, and went out of their way to bring us quite a number of pleasant surprises like chocolates, cakes and travel books. Natt touched base every day to monitor my recovery and see what I needed. On day nine after surgery, Natt took me for a follow-up visit to my surgeon and removal of my stitches.

We enjoyed our requested tours, which you so nicely arranged with the excellent guide Pui Porutip. Natt and Pui each took us to a nice shopping mall and helped us pick out some things we needed. On our departure, you even arranged to have our luggage carried right up to the airline check-in counter, because I was not supposed to lift anything.

Our trip was much more than we expected and I am very pleased with my surgery, so we will not hesitate to recommend Med Journeys to our family and friends and consider some other procedures in the future. Again, A big thanks to all of you at Med Journeys.

My husband took my photos, which were forwarded from Med Journeys to Thailand and within a few days I had the total cost and a confirmation that the procedures I wanted were right for me - mid-face and neck lift and upper and lower eye lift. My decision was made and I sat back and counted the months. Due to all the travelling I’ve done, we booked all the flights ourselves. I also did research on serviced apartments - all the comforts of a hotel and home combined. Med Journeys checked out Centre Point - Wireless Rd in Bangkok on their next visit and found it to be perfect.

I left San Francisco alone on 2nd November and was met in Bangkok by Natt, my host country manager. We hit it off immediately. She is so friendly and speaks perfect English. I was driven to Yanhee International Hospital which specialises in Cosmetic Surgery, where I registered and within thirty minutes my surgeon, Dr. Somsak and I had our consultation. I felt instant rapport with him - something else which is very important to me. His English is perfect; he is extremely friendly and smiles often! Apparently I had the longest consult ever, due to my many questions! I really got a second wind after a 20 hour journey. Needless to say I was taken by surprise when Dr. Somsak said he would operate later that day - no point in waiting and within an hour all my tests had been performed and checked and I was in my private room, given my special shampoo to wash my hair, showered and in bed ready for my IV. I just had enough time to call my husband and tell him I would be in theatre within the hour. I was on the tenth floor and had a balcony and a lovely view over the city. The nurses at Yanhee are wonderful, just like angels and I wasn’t nervous. My anaesthetist came to speak to me and ask me the usual questions and very soon I was on my way. My eyes were done separately which I knew was the case. This does not happen in the US. However, it’s much better as Dr. Somsak put me under mild IV sedation for the first part and then woke me to confirm, before completion, that the eyes will fully close. I found the procedure a little uncomfortable but mainly because of the pressure. (I felt the same way when I had Lasik.) It’s just the way I am. However, it wasn’t painful. I’m very resilient and just told myself it would soon be over and I would have eyelids again, which I saw within minutes when I asked for a mirror. Within about thirty minutes I was taken in the elevator to a larger operating theatre for my face and neck lift. The next thing I remember was being lifted from the operating table onto the trolley ( I always come round quickly) and it was 1am, Monday morning. I had a headache and my face and neck were heavily bandaged. It was uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t say painful. I dozed off and woke up a few hours later with a worse headache and was given an injection which helped. Other than that the only pain relief I had was Paracetamol, a mild over the counter pain killer (only available overseas) which I think is similar to Tylenol, but better! The worse thing was discomfort. I couldn’t hear properly due to all the bandages and couldn’t focus due to the heavy eye ointment on my sutures. I slept most of Monday and Tuesday and ate my liquid diet. I had a full body massage to help me relax which really helped. I told Natt I would definitely do it again My ‘angels’ were in and out of my room to administer meds take vitals, check my IV and change my ice packs. I use ice for about two weeks which really helped with the swelling around my eyes and the tight feelings around my ears.They helped me shower and were so kind and friendly. My face had no bruising or swelling. My lower eyes were a lovely shade of purple and swollen but by Day 3 started turning yellow and the swelling started to subside.

Day 3 Bandages off and I can hear a little better. IV out and I can start to chew - not an easy thing I can tell you. Dr Somsak says I have a little fluid in my ear and it will be fine. I am taken to the salon to have my hair washed. She is so gentle around my staples and stitches and I feel human again. Swellings under my eyes are really going down. I’m told not to talk much, or make sudden head movements. I’m still sleeping most of the day and night - the best medicine! Now that my ears ‘have popped’ I can make phone calls. I’m sleeping propped up as I will be for the next three weeks. I decided to stay at Yanhee for five days as my husband wasn’t arriving in Bangkok till then.

Day 4 Eyes looking better than ever and able to eat more solids. I still have a headache but realise it’s the strain of trying to focus. I’m told it’s just the ointment.

Day 5 So excited as I get to see Bangkok and wear clothes other than my pyjamas! (Would recommend taking one’s own. I felt more comfortable in them. The sutures around my eyes and ears are removed - completely painless! My staples will be removed at my check up in a week. I complete my final paperwork, pay my bill, say goodbye to everyone (with a promise to see them next week) get in the taxi with Natt and go to Centre Point. My husband arrives minutes after I do and even though I sent a couple of photos from my phone, he’s amazed at the difference. Within an hour we’re on the Sky train bound for MBK (the best place to shop) I move a little slowly but retail therapy is super especially in Bangkok. I feel really well considering. My face is very numb - all to be expected and under my eyes are bruised but nothing that a new pair of sunglasses doesn’t cover up!

Day 6- 12 Every day there are significant changes as the swelling under my eyes goes down and the bruises improve. My head and face itch internally, which is normal.

Day 12 Staples are painlessly removed. There are so many of them. Dr Somsak says I’ve healed so well. Some of the scars around my ears are already disappearing. I can now wear eye make-up - having eye lids again (they’d dropped so much) is so exciting!

The following week we fly to Phuket, then back to Bangkok and I see Dr. Somsak one final time (my choice) before flying to Hong Kong for a week. Healing is slow now. Bruising has disappeared, but the under eyes are still a little puffy. My face is still numb and will be for months, but one gets used to it. I get shooting pains in various places which means the nerves are healing.