Last fact-checked: 5 October 2020

If you're ready to take action to combat the signs of aging, you can achieve a more youthful appearance for less by undergoing a facelift in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

See how much you can save while enjoying the exotic surroundings of this Central American country with Medical Departures on your side. 

A facelift procedure can help to improve the look of:

• Jowls
• Lines around the mouth
• Crow's feet
• Loose skin around the eyes
• The neck (especially when combined with a neck lift)

These problems are typically the result of the natural aging process, as well as other factors, such as gravity, heredity, environmental factors, and stress. 

Medically called rhytidectomy, it should be understood that having a facelift performed will not change the appearance of your face. Instead, it improves the shape and contours of your face, helping you to look younger and more refreshed.

If you are considering having a facelift performed, it is important to have realistic expectations. You should also understand that a facelift is not a permanent solution to the aging process.

Offering numerous activities, including world-class surfing, ziplining through lush tropical rainforests, and pristine beaches, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers from all over the world.

The fact that Costa Rica is also home to excellent healthcare facilities and lower pricing than in the United States makes it an even more popular option for medical tourists.

In planning to travel abroad for any type of medical procedure, including a facelift, it is important to ensure you thoroughly research facilities to make certain they follow quality standards, such as those set forth by the International Standards Organization. 

Plastic surgery is an umbrella term but for something as important as your face you want to know how much experience your surgeon has. Are they sub-specialists, for example, do they have any affiliations with a specialist facial surgery organization like the American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

We are here to help at Medical Departures, by offering a list of thoroughly researched physicians and clinics. Our background check process includes confirmation of professional memberships and qualifications. We also perform legal checks and criminal checks, provide surgeon profiles and collate and publish real patient reviews on our site. 

The first step in having a facelift performed in San Jose is to meet with your surgeon to discuss your goals and individual situation. The techniques used for your facelift will be determined based on your consultation and goals, so it is important to be completely honest with your physician.

Some techniques used for facelifts include the use of soft-tissue fillers or may include the removal or addition of fat to help you achieve your goals. Your surgeon will also discuss the specific areas of your face to be targeted in your facelift. Among the most common areas to be targeted as part of a facelift include the midface, jowls, jawline, forehead, and cheeks.

The procedure is summarized as follows:

-After the anesthesia is administered, the surgeon will likely make several incisions at predetermined sites.

-The skin will be separated from the neck and face, allowing your physician to manipulate the tissues and muscles within the skin.

-In most cases, layers of skin will also need to be lifted and then moved into a new position to help you achieve your goals.

-Excess skin and fat may also need to be removed. If you wish to increase chin or cheek volume to achieve a younger-looking appearance, implants may be used.

-At the conclusion of the procedure, the skin will be redraped and your incisions will be closed using metal clips or sutures.

-You should expect the procedure to take up to four hours to complete.

After your facelift:

• Drain tubes may be inserted to help reduce swelling. You may also notice the presence of supportive dressings.
• Patients are often advised to lie in a reclining position and keep their heads elevated following a facelift to reduce swelling.
• Oral painkillers may be prescribed to alleviate any discomfort or pain you may experience following your facelift. This typically subsides within two weeks of the procedure.
• Cold compresses may also prove to be helpful in managing swelling and/or bruising.
• Drain tubes and dressings can usually be removed within a few days, while stitches can be removed within a week to 10 days.

The average cost of a facelift in San Jose, Costa Rica is $3,500 (GBP £2,491, EUR €3,227, AUD $4,820) compared to an average of $18,000 (GBP £12,397, EUR €16,159, AUD $25,369 in the United States.

Please note that these are approximate prices calculated at the time of writing. See some of the latest prices on offer, as well as photos, reviews and surgeon profiles at Gustavo Chavarria Clinic.

Learn more about everything our quality-checked clinics offer.

Booking is simple: just follow the steps on our site to set up your free appointment or speak to our Customer Care Team for more information about facelifts in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Sources:

Muhoro, Nicholas. What Is the ISO 9002 International Certificate? Chron. 4 June 2019. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/iso-9002-international-certificate-56932.html

American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). Website accessed: 5 October 2020. https://www.aafprs.org

Herndon, Jaime, MS, MPH, MFA. Facelift: Everything You Need to Know. Healthline. 13 December 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/face-lift

Wrinkles. Mayo Clinic. Website accessed: 16 September 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrinkles/symptoms-causes/syc-20354927

(Image by: Jerry And Roy Klotz MD)