Nip, Tuck and Knees in Costa Rica. Why U.S. Citizens seek Medical Care and Surgery in Costa Rica Paradise
Rosemary Arriving Home 5 Hours After Surgery! Below at home with the best nurse in the world, Dog Bucky!
Having lived in Costa Rica for over 10 years this is not my first surgery in tropical paradise. The first arthroscopic surgery was done over two years ago, by one of the best knee men in the business, Dr. Oscar Oeding Bermudez who works out of Clinica Biblica in San Jose, Costa Rica. I call him the Dr. to the Stars because last week a U.S film crew was following my Dr. around as part of a documentary on why so many U.S Citizens are flocking to Costa Rica for both medical and elective surgery. It was on 20/20! Costa Rica offers outstanding medical care at a fraction of U.S health care prices--something hopefully the next U.S president will be able to address. It's really quite a concern when the citizens of a first world country like the United States are required to leave their borders to find quality care at affordable prices. Affordable healthcare was just one reason, we selected Costa Rica to live. But today, it was time for the left knee surgery, caused by what my Dr. says is pure, dumb luck and bad knees! I didn't tell him that when I'm conducting leadership, customer service and creativity seminars, I run around for 8 hours non-stop and even do management martial arts. Nor the fact that my first injury was caused by watching a Billy Blanks Tae Boe Video and really embracing the concept of no pain/no gain. When Billy challenged me in his dog tags to push past it...I listened. Unfortunately I pushed past my meniscus.
So Why Costa Rica and What Can you Expect from Surgery Here?
First, the Dinero!
The surgery that I had today cost me out of pocket slightly more than $500.00. I have very reasonable and very good in-country insurance but if you were paying without coverage the cost would be $2,700. Comparatively in the United States the same operation would be approximately $8,000 - $10,000. This ratio holds true for most medical procedures. Take for example, the woman from Florida who was going into surgery while I was in recovery.
She saw that special on 20/20 and was having breast implants, full lipo including a tummy tuck and a face lift. Her costs which cover hospital stay and two weeks at a luxury recovery center will be $11,000. She priced it in the states: $40,000. This procedure has been a dream for her since she lost over 100 pounds and wanted things to hang in the right places. I believe we were bed mates for a reason. She told me that all of her family and friends could not believe she was going to a foreign country to have this done. Her mother waiting outside pacing the halls. I'm sure she found it comforting that her bed was next to mine. Here's a gringa and fellow veteran of the medical war who not only speaks English, she is seemingly coherent just one hour after surgery.
Let's Talk About the Quality of Patient Care in Costa Rica
Pre-Operative: The week before my surgery, Dr. Oeding and Damarys, his able assistant were e-mailing me over the weekend, not only checking on my discomfort from the injury but advising me of check-in procedures. An MRI gave the Dr. a clear vision of the problem and he expedited all the paperwork that was waiting for me at the hospital. Honestly, it felt like I was checking into a Hyatt, not a Hospital as Jonathan, My Concierge, AKA Admissions rep, had my arm band, paperwork and chart ready and within 20 minutes was taking my overnight bag and personally escorting me to pre-op. I may coach him a tad on hospital humor. When he saw My Dr's name he said "Don't worrry Rosemary, you have a good doctor." I asked him "okay, so when you look at the chart and see a bad Dr., do you tell the patients that they've got a dog?"
Let us not forget Costa Rica hospital rooms are equipped with Flat Screen T.V's, Room Service Menus and Companion Beds so that you don't need to sleep alone. Indeed at 8:00, a porter comes in to do turn-down service for both patient and overnight visitor.
Now regardless of what hospital you go to.....don't you just those hospital gowns? Well they are breezy and hardly make a fashion statement even in Costa Rica. (Hot Hospital Gowns to Go is my next idea for on-line marketing.) Picture this, choice of a Hot Color and Hospital Logo on that gown, while allowing for needed access keeps you under wraps. Note: Clinica Biblica compensates with a hot blower under the blanket. Yes, a toasty state of the art blowing machine that keeps you warm while you're under wraps is to die for.
Let's talk state of the art care .... I have a video of the entire operation coming next week when I check in with the Dr. In comparison to the Bad B movies I have been renting it will be a treat. Makes me nostalgic for that old 60's movie where they shrunk the people and placed them in a human body. My movie friend, Dan is here, and tells me the movie featured the Goddess, Raquel Welch and is called "The Fantastic Voyage"
Also, my Dr. puts a numbing agent in the knee during the surgery, so I'm in little pain for the worst part of the recovery--the first three days. Let us not forget that the first surgery gave me complete mobility.
Finally, Party Time. I have visited friends frequently in the hospital and we gringos have created a tradition. It's called the "Clinica Biblica Blues Party". When someone goes in the hospital, friends and family gather with libations and tasty treats. Somehow I'm thinking that would be against the rules in U.S. Hospitals. I recall when I saw a new mother with her family gathered around, cracking champagne to celebrate the new birth. Let's face it, we get well in hospitals and give birth. There should be some celebrating going on.
I hope this helps some of you who may be considering surgery in Costa Rica including "having a little necessary or optional work done". It may also be soothing to those of you considering a move to Costa Rica and evaluation of health care here.
PS: If you don't need to work on body parts, you can simply get a Life Lift at Retreats Costa Rica. For Additional Information on Personal Growth, Leadership and Health Retreats, visit
For information on living in Costa Rica and Real Estate www.dreamincostarica.com
For information on Rosemary's new Book with Dr. Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, visit www.gowildgogreat.com
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