From Polanco with Love: A Patient’s Five-Star Mommy Makeover in Mexico City

MX Plastic Surgeons has only been in business 6 months, but we have transformed lives in this short period of time! We reached out to one patient who had one of the more extreme/complicated procedures (Mommy Makeover) to discover why she ultimately chose to have her procedure done in Mexico City with one of our plastic surgeons.

She wishes to remain anonymous so we will call her Sheila for the sake of this interview:

1. What motivated you to choose medical tourism for your Mommy Makeover, and why did you select Mexico City as your destination?

Sheila: I chose traveling to Mexico primarily due to the significant cost difference. Mommy Makeovers are a combination of 2-4 different procedures which means major money and I simply couldn’t afford a total makeover at home. Secondly, I had read all over the internet about Americans and Canadians choosing Mexico because of the quality of care and how skilled the surgeons in Mexico’s big cities are. There were some horror stories from clinics in Tijuana, but very positive reviews from Mexico City. Plus there are direct flights to my hometown and Uber is available, so travel was pretty easy.

2. How did you go about researching and selecting an MX Plastic Surgeons’ doctor for your procedure?

Sheila: I spent a lot of time researching various clinics online, reading patient reviews, and comparing costs. I also joined online forums and groups related to medical tourism. Eventually, I saw MX Plastic Surgeons on Google when typing in Mommy Makeover in Mexico. I felt more confident after taking the assessment and getting paired with a surgeon who specializes in what I wanted. It is much easier that the surgeon was already vetted for all of the qualities that I was looking for and already has a system for traveling patients. Plus, I was able to have a video consultation with him which cemented my confidence in making the trip and going for it.

3. Can you describe your experience with your plastic surgeon and staff in Mexico City?

Sheila: The doctor and staff were incredibly attentive and professional and most of them spoke great English. From the initial video consultation to post-op care, everyone was helpful and patient and provided detailed explanations of the procedure and recovery process. My surgeon was highly experienced and really kind. His staff has obviously worked with foreigners before!

4. What was the biggest challenge you faced during your medical tourism experience, and how did you overcome it?

Sheila: The language barrier was really intimidating since I don’t know any Spanish. However, the doctor’s English is great and most people in Mexico City speak a little English.  I also used Google Translate and another translation app to communicate effectively.

5. How did you plan for the logistics of your trip, including travel and accommodations, around your surgery?

Sheila: I booked my own flight and chose an AirBnB listed in the Travel Guide that MX Plastic Surgeons provides since it was so close to my doctor’s office and the surgery clinic. It turns out the Polanco area of Mexico City has absolutely everything you could ever need right there in the neighborhood, which was very convenient. Also, I knew Uber was there so that is how I got around, but they also have Uber Eats for groceries and restaurant delivery, so I was very comfortable.

6. Were there any unexpected aspects of the surgery or recovery process that you wish you had been better prepared for?

Sheila: One unexpected aspect was the amount of post-operative care required, which turned out to be more intensive than I anticipated. I read that Mommy Makeovers are harder to bounce back from versus single procedures, but I didn’t believe it until I felt it.  I had to extend my stay in Mexico City for continued necessary follow-up appointments. I was lucky that I could continue staying in the AirbnB and that I bought a semi-flexible ticket with my airline miles.

7. What advice would you give to someone considering medical tourism for a similar procedure?

Sheila: My advice is to thoroughly research the credentials of the surgeon and length of time of typical recovery for your procedure. The doctor told me that I needed to stay for 2 weeks post-op and I didn’t believe him so I planned on flying home one week after surgery and that was a mistake. There were no costs associated with follow up care, but there were in extending my AirBnb and rescheduling my flight home.  Also, and this is something that MX Plastic Surgeons stresses, have a support person with you!  My friend and recovery helper had to go home after one week and that made me appreciate how much help she really was!

Gracias to Sheila for her candor! We hope that reading this interview helps you make your decision to have your next plastic surgery procedure or Mommy Makeover in Mexico City with one of our thoroughly vetted surgeons.