Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why Cosmetic Vacations?

A. As an impartial intermediary you can take advantage of our extensive market knowledge and our established network of medical professionals. We are constantly monitoring the results of our surgeons to ensure the greatest possible customer satisfaction. [top]

Q. Why Brazil?

A. The 4300 plus members of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery are renowned for their experience and expertise. Brazil is second only to the USA in terms of number of surgeries performed. [top]

Q. Do you have a price list?

A. Here in Brazil it is considered unethical to give the cost for surgery without a consultation. Everybody is different and therefore the prices change too. [top]

Q. I know very little about Brazil, do I have to worry about not speaking the language?

A. At Cosmetic Vacations we employ multi-lingual staff who will assist you at every stage of your visit. For those of you who would prefer English speaking surgeons we have several to choose from. While a little Portuguese helps, it is not necessary to speak the language. [top]

Q. Is Rio de Janeiro a safe destination?

A. From the moment you arrive at the airport until the day of your departure you will be assisted by our staff. We pick you up from the airport and bring you savely to your hotel. Someone will be available to take your calls 24 hrs per day. [top]

Q. Can I bring a companion?

A. Of course. All of our accommodation options allow for an extra-person. This is a good idea, especially if your recovery period is an extended one - two weeks or more. [top]

Q. What is the difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery?

A. Plastic Surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Cosmetic Surgery is elective and meant to enhance one's appearance and Plastic Surgery is necessary and reconstructive in nature. [top]

Q. How many people undergo Cosmetic Surgery each year?

A. The number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States increased by 44 percent in 2004 to a total of nearly 11.9 million, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS). The number of surgical procedures increased 17 percent and the number of nonsurgical procedures increased 51 percent from the previous year. The most frequently performed procedure was Botox injection and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction. [top]

Q. How many men have Cosmetic Surgery?

A. American men had nearly 1.2 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures in 2004, 10 percent of the 11.9 million cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. last year. According to the ASPS, the number of cosmetic procedures performed on men has increased 306 percent from 1997 to 2004. Compared to last year, the number of procedures for men increased by 8 percent. [top]

Q. What are the most popular procedures?

A.
1. Tummy Tuck
2. Breast surgery
3. Liposuction
4 .Nose reshaping
5. Eyelid surgery
6. Mini face lift
[top]

Q. At what age do most people have Cosmetic Surgery?

A. The average age of patients receiving Cosmetic Surgery is 41. Treatments such as Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty and Dermabrasion are common among younger patients while procedures including Blepharoplasty, Breast Lift, Facelift and Botox are more commonly sought after by older patients. [top]

Q. What is the current medical consensus regarding the safety of silicone Breast Implants?

A. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and other medical associations have put forth a great deal of research on the safety of silicone breast implants. Recently, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine came to the following conclusions based on new studies on silicone breast implant safety:There is no evidence suggesting silicone used for Breast Implants are toxic to humans. [top]

There is no established link between implants and a unique disease syndrome. Problems ascribed to implants generally involve symptoms that are nonspecific and common to the general population.

Breast Cancer mortality is not higher in women who have implants. However, the presence of implants can make it difficult to detect cancer through mammography.

Women with Breast Implants are no more likely than the rest of the population to develop serious illnesses. [top]

Q. Is Botox dangerous?

A. Even though Botox is a formulation of botulinum toxin type A, it is sterilized and purified for medical applications. Since Botox treatments are a non-surgical procedure, the risks and possible complications are infrequent, minimal and temporary. The most common reported side-effects are headaches, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eye-lid droop, and nausea. [top]

Q. Is there a right age to undergo Plastic Surgery?

A. This depends on the procedure and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Certain reconstructive surgery procedures have been performed on patients of all ages, while certain procedures are recommended for more mature patients. Consult with your Plastic surgeon to determine if you are a qualified candidate for the procedure you are considering. [top]

Q. Is Plastic Surgery dangerous?

A. There is always the risk of complications occurring during the operation and even after the operation. Each individual procedure has its share of risks. Complications can be reduced significantly by choosing the right doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure you are considering, please share these feelings with your surgeon. [top]

Q. Do you need Anesthesia for Plastic Surgery?

A. Almost all Plastic Surgery procedures require some form of anesthesia. Check with your Plastic Surgeon as to which anesthesia he or she will use during your operation. [top]

Q. How many procedures can I have at the same time?

A. Multiple procedures are done at the surgeon's discretion. Having multiple procedures performed at the same time is less expensive than having them performed individually. The benefit of doing multiple areas at one time is that you take advantage of the operating room. You have already paid for the anesthesia and hospital fees. Having the procedure performed separately means you have to pay for these expenses again. Also, doing all the procedures at one time can allow you to only have to take one vacation from work for recovery. However, there is increased risk of complications. For example, by having multiple procedures performed, the patient risks having a prolonged exposure to general anesthesia. Consult with your surgeon if you are considering having multiple procedures. [top]

Q. What causes hair loss?

A. The most common cause of hair loss is inheritance. Men and women inherit the gene for hair loss from either or both parents. Men are most commonly affected by the inherited gene as the hormone, testosterone, activates the genetic program causing loss of hair follicles. Currently there is no known method of stopping this type of hair loss. The age of onset, extent, and rate of hair loss varies from person to person. [top]

Q. Do hair transplants really work?

A. Yes. The transplanted hair is removed from one area of the body (donor site) and transferred to another (recipient site). The transferred tissue is not "rejected" as it is not foreign tissue. The transplanted hair maintains it's own characteristics; color, texture, growth rate, and curl, after transplantation and regrowth. The vitality of the grafted follicle is maintained by the rich blood supply to the scalp. Originally, large circular grafts containing 15-20 hairs were transplanted resulting in noticeable and unnatural results. Over years, instruments and techniques have been developed that allow us to achieve truly natural results by transplanting small grafts very close together. We have found that hair grows from the scalp in groups of one, two, and three hair follicles. We transfer these groups of follicles after eliminating the excess surrounding fatty tissue. This allows the grafts to be placed closer together resulting in a denser and more natural result. [top]

Q. What can be expected after hair restoration surgery?

A. The post-operative course will depend on adherence to the instructions given after surgery. Small scabs will form on the scalp at the graft sites. Generally speaking, these scabs disappear in 4-7days. Shampooing can be resumed 24 hours after surgery. The suture (stitch) used in the donor area is undetectable as it is completely covered by your existing hair. An appointment will be made for the suture to be removed one week after surgery. It is advisable to take at least two days off work after surgery. A baseball type cap can be worn at anytime after surgery. Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least five days after surgery. Typically the grafted hair will shed in 2-4 weeks. New growth will begin in 3-4 months and length will increase approximately 1/2 inch per month. [top]

Q. What will it look like after the procedure?

A. The grafts form small scabs in the days after the procedure. If one has enough surrounding hair, these scabs can be camouflaged with creative styling. If not, the small scabs may be visible but do not attract much attention. By keeping the scalp moist, the scabs usually come off in about a week or so. [top]

Q. Are hair transplants expensive?

A. Hair transplantation is more expensive than a hair piece or some alternative treatments. However considering that the results are permanent, most people consider it a good investment in their future happiness. [top]