CONTRIBUTED BY JEN PRESTON
It's bikini season again. Oh lordy, I haven't truly celebrated bikini season since '96 or so, but for those of you who still like to bare *almost* all...may the force be with you. I must say, the good weather comes to Okinawa even earlier than in my native Southern California, and that's saying something (hello, Easter?). Also, I hear that it tends to rain here in the summer? Slight humidity perhaps?? Well then, best get your coconut oil and get thyselves to some sandy beaches before we're locked in with our dehumidifiers on full blast all summer.
Speaking of baring all, I had a reader request last week to do some digging into plastic surgery tourism in Asia. It seems like this is happening more and more - I would surmise because American MD's are just so much more expensive than MD's in other countries. Ironically, a friend of mine had emailed me the day before telling me all about her trip to the Philippines for a mini face lift....although the email ended with the threat (and I quote) "if you blog about my plastic surgery I'll have to come and hunt you down." Unfortunately for my friend, as a blog-ournalist, I have a duty to my readers to report what I can. She's a good sport though, and agreed to answer some questions anonymously. She traveled from Los Angeles, what may be the capital of American plastic surgery, to Manilla. Overall, she reports that the experience was quite gratifying and she was even willing to recommend her physician.
Let me preface this by saying that I am nowhere close to a medical professional, and cannot vouch for any doctors mentioned herein.
Where did you go to get your surgery? Manila, Philippines. I was visiting family there.
What procedure did you have? It is called a temporal life which is a fairly simple procedure. It took about an hour and a half. They cut at the ear line and go up and pull back. It looks as if you were to pull your hair back on the sides into a tight ponytail that is sort of the effect.
How did you find that particular doctor? My Doctor was Dr. Raul Guanzon, he is a well known plastic surgeon in Manila, and I had a referral from my Filipino cousin, who had rhinoplasty surgery with Dr. Guanzon. I was reassured by his extensive medical background, outside of what his website says. He has extensive education in the field and has studied plastic surgery in the U.S. He is very unassuming and has zero I mean zero arrogance. http://www.rguanzon.com
What was the price difference from getting the same procedure done in the US? My temporal lift procedure costs me $2,400, including the antibiotics, scar gel, and another cream I had to use. A well-known high end plastic surgeon in Los Angeles would have cost me between $4,000 - $10,000 for the same procedure.
Was there a payment plan offered or did you pay cash/credit all up front? It's all cash or credit card up front, baby. But hey they take credit cards.
Do they offer a package of recovery time in a hotel, etc? I am sure they do. They wanted me to stay overnight in their facility, for no extra charge, but I wanted to go home [to my relative's] that night which I did. The facility was that of a medical clinic - a very nice recovery room, with nurses (not regular staff) in attendance 24-7. I'm sure arrangements can be made to suit a client's needs....the Phillipines is so good that way. There was a cardiologist, anesthesiologist, Dr. Guanzon, and about 5 nurses involved during my procedure. At one point during the procedure, I was aware of my surroundings and could feel the nurse holding and petting my hand - it was really soothing and I have to say it made me feel really safe.
Now, I have to say that I personally am a little frightened of elective surgery. Who am I kidding, I'm afraid of my dentist. As for aesthetics, I prefer to drink my breast-enhancement herbal tea and hope for the best. But for those of you who are interested in plastic surgery tourism, there is an abundance of information out there. I've hunted down a couple helpful websites, listed below. Can any of readers contribute to this topic? Do any of you have information regarding plastic surgery MD's on the island? Particularly of the breast reduction and/or tummy tuck expertise? Have any of you had any type of surgical procedures done in Asia? What were your experiences?
http://www.cosmeticsurgerytravel.com/
http://www.cosmeticsurgeryphil.com/beauty_travel.htm
But if you loved them and have never...
This is good stuff, Jen! Thanks for the interview AND information.
Now how much do you think a boob upgrade back home versus around here would cost? Anybody know for sure?
Or has anyone had work done and feel good about it? Do tell.
I know a ton of people that have had boob jobs, lypo, and tummy tucks in Bangkok. I don’t know details because I have never been interested in any of that but I know they said it was much cheaper than the US and apparently the hospital or clinic they go through is first class and well know for doing a great job.
I went in for a consult to Miyagi Cosmetic Surgery 2 weeks ago for some laser birthmark removal on my face. The clinic is in Naha and its very nice. The staff speaks minimal English but the Dr. speaks English fluently and didnt have any trouble communicating. While I was there in the waiting area I saw 4 or 5 women coming in for appointments and got into a conversation with one of them. She had a breast aug. done by Dr Miyagi a few weeks before that and she was very happy. I saw some of his portfolio while I was waiting also and he looked very legitimate. His office has an advertisement in Okinawa Living and they have a website with prices listed (www.miyagi-clinic.info). I had my first treatment with the laser and I am very pleased. The price was outstanding compared to what I would be paying for the exact same thing (same laser) in Cali ($400 vs $100) so Im sure most others procedures follow that trend in pricing. I also got a 10% internet discount so that was great. Check it out, I think its a more realistic option than going all the way to Thailand!
I want to mention that I thought this post was extremely well-written and engaging. I won’t be having plastic surgery while here, but found myself absorbed in this post nonetheless! I know someone having a breast augmentation here on island in the next couple of weeks. I’ll be happy to interview her about the whole process if that would be something someone would want.
Great post, Jen!
You’re welcome to visit MedRetreat, a U.S. owned and operated medical tourism service agency, at medretreat.com for a more thorough education about medical tourism. MedRetreat was developed to help protect the American consumer when traveling abroad to receive medical procedures.
http://www.medretreat.com/
just want to caution those considering medical travel that choosing a qualified surgeon is the most important thing since not everyone who does cosmetic surgery is trained to do it. even those who say they are board certified may not be certified in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Excellent point, Yolanda, I would never go to a surgeon that did not come with some serious credentials. And while this entry focused on plastic surgery, it is certainly not limited to that type of surgery. the website Aviva posted has some good info on it and is definitely worth a look. http://www.medretreat.com
Ask for world-class medical services and you’ll find India. Seek the best doctors, hospitals or clinics and you’ll find America’s Medical Solutions which is three Americans living in Bombay. Knock on our door at http://www.americasmedicalsolutions.com and we will open up all of India for you.
Read how we do it here:
http://medicaltourismparexcellence.blogspot.com/2008/03/medical-tourism-par-excellence.html
I am planning my tummy tuck here in Okinawa. I am blogging about it online.
http://plasticsurgeryinokinawa.blogspot.com
I went to Miyagi’s for a consult and didn’t feel comfortable. I checked some others and found the doctor for me. Dr. Ken Ashiro.
http://www.kokoro-manzoku.com/site_eng.pdf
you can follow my journey on my site.
I used Miyagi Clinic for a Blepharoplasty about a year ago. They were FANTASTIC. You cannot even see my scars unless I point them out and even then they are very faint. I used them again for a laser peel to remove sun spots and acne scars with great success. My daughter and I both use them every 3-4 weeks for chemical peels.
Everything is priced VERY reasonably.
The clinic is extremely clean and pleasant. The waiting room is divided into 4 different secions for privacy. They have an English speaking receptionist now but did not have her when I started going to Miyagi. However, that has never been a problem since the clinic staff is very nice and patient. The Doctor speaks fluent English.
I would definitely recommend Miyagi Clinic to anyone looking for plastic surgery on Okinawa. They will be doing my breast lift after summer.
Has anyone traveled to Thailand for plastic surgery? I have heard numerous “friend of a friend of a friend of a neighbor” stories both good & bad but I am looking for info of a more 2nd or 3rd hand nature (rather than 18th hand…)
Any good or bad recommendations?
hello my name is kristine.i been on the island for 6 months now.i am looking for some information on which clinic is the best to go to here on the island for a tummy tuck.i have 2 c-section.i am about 10 pounds from being back to my normal weight before having kids.i like to talk to someone that had it done and see before and after pics.i don’t want to go into the clinic and see their pics i really like to speak to someone who done it here.
Miyagi and KC Plastic Surgery are the two big cosmetic surgery places on island (in Naha) with doctors that speak English. Haven’t had a tummy tuck but just had breast augmentation with KC and so far am pleased (but it did end up costing more than he quoted us, which is slightly annoying). Both offices seem nice and friendly, but there were big price differences between the two for my surgery… KC was much more expensive than Miyagi. They both offer a wide variety of services… mole removal, tattoo removal, surgery, skin resurfacing, etc.
Hello,this info is for the person looking for a surgeon in Thailand. I recommend Dr. Pitchet of Bangkok Plastic Surgey. I received a tummy tuck along with a friend in 2005. Awesome work. Then again in 2009 for a breast reduction/lift and lipo.(I admit, I was not happy with the lipo but maybe it was my own expectations) I took my daughter this trip, the staff cooked her breakfast and orderd her lunch. They are very friendly. They speak some English but the doctor is very fluent. Dr. Pitchet will contact you via email immediatley. If you choose Dr. Pitchet’s clinic, he will provide transportation to and from the airport, and will arrange your stay in the hotel. The Gold Orchid I think was the hotel. Very nice with free breakfast buffet. This hotel is 5 minutes from his clinic.He also provides a driver for your visits back and forth to the clinic, even to the HUGE MALL MBK. If staff are available, they will escort you. But they are really busy. The clinic is super clean. I recommend Dr. Pitchet.
I went to see Dr. Miyagi in Naha for a consultation on a rhinoplasty. I must say that the whole visit was very uncomfortable. The office is very clean but the waiting room is sectioned-off into smaller waiting areas (like cubicles…). Dr. Miyagi contradicted himself two times during our consultation, first saying that I didn’t need an expensive additional procedure, then including the procedure in my price quote, but continued to say the procedure wasn’t necessary in my case (by the way, this particular procedure added $1400 to the total cost…). After I met with the surgeon, I was taken back to the small waiting area and asked to fill out paperwork. When I first arrived in the office, a nurse took my car keys. They wouldn’t give me my car keys back until I filled out the paperwork to their satisfaction. This, combined with the fact that I was sitting in a small cubicle waiting area, made me feel like a prisoner. It only took me ten minutes to fill out the paperwork, but I was left sitting in that area for nearly 40 minutes without any way to leave. I decided that Miyagi Plastic Surgery was definitely not for me!
I just wanted to clarify why Miyagi takes all customer’s car keys. It has nothing to do with filling out paperwork (and the initial consult is free), it is because of their parking system. They have a really nifty parking structure that involves lifting & lowering cars… they must have your keys in case they need to move yours (they had to move our van while we were there… think of it as the same as when you leave your car at Shuri Castle). I didn’t use Miyagi for my surgery, as I said in a previous post I went with KC, but they aren’t being shady about the car key thing. I also liked how the sectioned off the waiting area, they do it for their clients’ privacy. I will say I didn’t feel like the doctor at Miyagi spent that much time with me during our consult, whereas the doc at KC was very thorough.
“Nifty” parking aside, the receptionist’s exact words were, “I’ll take your paperwork back to Dr. Miyagi and see if you can have your car keys back.”. See if I can have my car keys back…? And then make me wait for nearly 40 minutes while they approve paperwork…? And I was left sitting in a tiny cubicle of a waiting area…? I sat there in the tiny waiting space with no way to leave for a longer amount of time than the actual consultation took. The waiting room may have been partially sectioned-off, however, I didn’t appreciate the fact that I was put in a tiny waiting area, while other people were seated in the larger, more comfortable area (the waiting areas are not all tiny…). It felt like I was there because I had the plague or leprosy!
Who has had a tummy tuck with KC? How was it?
I am going for my surgery with KC in the first week of Novemeber, and am very excited. Dr. Ken was exceptionally nice, well-spoken, and calming. The only thing I didnt like was that I did not know the consultation was not free (3400 yen); I did’t bring any so I payed with credit card.
I would also like to think “Annonmyous” for her comment about KC…I feel a little more at ease.
I am looking into getting a tummytuck. I do not know anyone here who has personally had one in Okinawa. I am scared of making a mistake, not picking the best docotr, and the language barrier. Does anyone know of anybody who has had one, and if they would be willing ot share thier journey?
I am looking into getting a breast augmentation on Okinawa. I got quoted about $8,000, which I thought was rather pricey compared to US prices. Have anyone had one done here and how do you feel about the prices? Thanks!
8,000$ for a breast augmentation it’s so so expensive!! I had my breast augmentation done in Bolivia. I paid 2990$. I went through MakeoverTravel a medical tourism operator. The price include: surgery, clinic stay, hotel stay, implants, medical team fees, transportation, blood test before surgery, personal assistant…), it’s very cheap and my results are amazing!
Thanks, Laura! I went to Dr. Ken, but I already want a redo. I may consider that, but after everything I’m starting to think AMERICA is the best place for surgery. He was nice, but charges for follow up appointments, which is really annoying considering how much I have already paid, and my results aren’t exactly what I asked for. It may have been a communication thing but I also think that Americans have different views of what is beautiful, and in this case, he gave me what he thought was beautiful and what most Japanese would. I think cultural differences really got in the way. If anyone has questions I am willing to share my experience!
Hi Jennifer I thinking about breast implants with Dr. Ken I know is super expensive here in Okinawa but we are staying here for a long time how was you recovery, and what type of procedure did he do, also the type of implants he used? Please give all the details you can that will help me a lot to maka a decition
Thanks
Hello Laura,
I’m thinking about plastic surgery with Dr. Ken, How was your experience with him?
Hi Jen,
I can tell you about my experience via email so it’s a little more private. Email me at [email protected].
I had a full tummy tuck and breast lift in the states last summer, costing a total of 11k..Both were something I chose to do due to after effects of having kids..The only thing I am wanting now, is and if possible the removal of the strecth marks.. Does anyone know where to go or has had this done I would appreciate some insite. thanks
I had implants with Miyagi in summer of 2008. I had several complications including an internal infection in myt internal stitches which could have only come from his office. I had to have 2 follow up procedures to correct issues. I emailed his office several times, trying to be seen before we left the island in the winter of 2009 to correct the issue that one of my implants never “dropped” and I had no return emails. Three years later, I am emailing for my medical records from him and still have no response because I am being sent to a cancer center due to the fact that I have developed 2 masses in one my breast that they suspect are related to the implants. If something does not change soon I will be contacting the Naval hospital command with the situation, which I feel I should have done to begin with, and then no one should be having to worry which one to use because he’ll no longer be a choice for SOFA status.
Has anyone had a breast reduction done in Okinawa, Japan?
I’m scheduled to get a breast reduction @ Dr. Ken’s facility. I must say, after reading all of the above blogs, I feel more comfortable with my referral. I would like to know more about the post surgery; scaring, the location of the incision, etc. Also, how long after the pre-surgery consultaion before surgery day? I’ve heard it can be anywhere from a week to a month.
Hi Just me did you get your implants with Dr. Ken how was everything how much did it cost, how was ther recovery what type of procedure and implants did he used. How long did the surgery last? Sorry for the questioning but I really want to do breast implants after 2 kids i ended uo with no bubbies.
Thank you