Hello Everyone,

I would like to have post bariatric plastic surgery with Dr. Fabio for he is highly talented, well recommended and because his prices are far lower than the quotes I’ve received in Canada and the U.S.

I do have some important questions to ask....

First off, how long does it take to receive a treatment plan?

Secondly, Brazil is known for having a high crime rate. How do I ensure safe travel from the airport to my hotel? and then from the hotel to the surgical center? I heard that taxi robbery and/or assault is a possibility. Please tell me the name of a reputable taxi company there. I heard that one should always ask the taxi dispatcher the license plate number of the car being sent and the name of the taxi driver. Also it important to ask a hotel staff member to note the license plate number of the taxi you are entering. If there are any other tips you can give me they would be greatly appreciated.

I understand that all of Dr. Zamprogno's patients stay at the Parthenon Pasargada Hotel. If this is no longer correct, please let me know. How far is the airport to this hotel? and how far is the surgical center from this hotel? Can you also tell me the approximate cost for these taxi trips?

I will be likely having the lower body lift and mos lift with liposuction on my first trip. I understand I will need to stay in Brazil for about two weeks after this procedure. How often will I have to leave the hotel to see Dr. Zamprogno during this time?

It seems a lot of individuals are paying for their surgeries in cash. It seems it would be unsafe to carry so much money in cash - would it not be best to wire the money or provide a bank draft/certified check paid to the doctor? If I do decide to pay cash can I arrange to pay the cash as soon as I leave the Vitoria airport? Also upon a cash payment will a full receipt be given?

In regards to medical garments – am I required to buy these separately? Or will they be provided to me as part of the surgical costs? If I do have to purchase these items can you please tell me what I need to purchase for my first stage surgery and where to purchase? And how many boxes of DuoDERM do you recommend I buy? And what other products do you recommend I get?

I will be coming from Edmonton, Canada. Air Canada doesn’t offer any direct flights to Vitoria (they only go to San Paulo). It seems I will have to travel to Toronto, Canada then proceed to San Paulo, Brazil and same will happen for the return trip. The flight time from Edmonton to Toronto is about 4 hours and from Toronto to San Paulo is about 14 hours. Is this flight too long for the type of surgery I'm having? Also how easy is it to get a flight from San Paulo to Vitoria? and how long is this flight?

I understand that I will be staying in a hospital/surgical center for at least two days after the surgery. Will my mother be able to stay with me during this time or will she have to stay at are hotel? During this recovery will I have my own private room and washroom? Also what will be the patient to nurse ratio?

Will someone assist me with my drains during my stay in Brazil or will I be responsible for all drain care after the surgery? Will the drains be removed before I return home? If the after care is left to me do I have reason to be worried that I will not be “good” at drainage care?

If there are complications that require further medical assistance and/or longer hospital stay then the normal recovery – where will I be taken? At this place will English be spoken?

Are post op appointments required? If yes, how important are they? Since I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, follow up appointments are not practical.

Will Dr. Zamprogno check up on me once I’m at home in Edmonton, Alberta? How easy is it for me to reach Dr. Zamprogno?

Before I agree to surgery via the internet process, will I be able to speak or write to Dr. Zamprogno about my specific surgical questions?

I apologize for all the questions – I may even have more but this is all I can think of for the time being.

Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You and Take Care.

Anastasia.

Hi there Anastasia,

WOW, what a long post!!LOL! I bet u r happy to have Wanda answering your questions huh?
I'm Thais Rohr and If u decide to come here, I will be your escort, as Wanda already mentioned.
I just really love my job.I have worked for Dr Fabio for many years ( I used to be his secretary).
I love having fun with the patients when they r here, Brazil is a beautiful country and I would love to show u a little of my country and my people=)

If u have any questions, u can let me know and we can also e-mail privately alright?


Hugs,
Thais xoxoxo

I was in Vitoria (a patient of Dr. Fabio) about this time last year. It is a huge leap of faith to just read on the internet and jump in and do it. Something I did that made me feel much more comfortable was that I met Wanda and her husband for dinner one night. This let me see, meet, talk with, interact with a REAL person and a former patient. I felt doubly comfortable because Wanda also worked for the doctor who did my weight loss surgery in Nashville. If you have a chance to meet with Wanda, it would probably put your mind at ease but if you're not near Nashville, just try to meet anyone who has been to Dr. Fabio. Find out if anyone from your area is a patient of his and call them and see if they'll meet you for coffee or dinner or lunch or whatever. It really does help make you feel "safer" Having said all this, I wish there was a way to impart to you just how "okay" it is to trust Dr. Fabio and his team from Wanda to the nurses and his secretary there in Brazil. I assure you EVERYTHING will be taken care of. You will receive better care than you've ever received at a hospital in the US. I dare say that the majority of his patients would agree... Knowing what we know now, we'd go to Dr. Fabio before we'd go to any other plastic surgeon even here in the US. He is truly an artist at body sculpting but what impressed me more than that is that he is also an OUTSTANDING general physician. I had medical problems while I was there that did not relate to plastic surgery really and I dare say I'm here today because of Dr. Fabio's care. You're in good hands -- safe hands with Wanda and especially and more importantly with Dr. Fabio and his entire staff.

Hi!

I've been to Brazil 4 times, about a month each time. You can take risks anywhere, even in your own home town. If you follow common sense and don't act foolishly, you'll likely be quite safe. Vitoria / Vila Velha is a resort type area and not particularly dangerous. Sao Paolo is the second largest city in the world and has many areas with high crime. You get there, go to the other airport if necessary, and leave for Vitoria.

Generally, in Vitoria, you NEVER have to leave the hotel without an escort if you don't want to. If you get to feeling comfortable, the hotel will arrange for taxis to take you to the grocery store, the mall, or the movies. They have the driver pick you up at the door, tell them exactly where to take you, and you call the hotel with your cell phone (provided) when you are done and they send the taxi back to get you. Often, there are other Americans there at the same time and people get together to eat, sightsee, etc.

I know you have many questions and they are all good and valid. I have never heard of any of Dr. Fabio's patients being a victim of any type of crime. I have never heard of anyone losing or having their money stolen. Of course no one can guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen, but I never found it to be a greater risk than going to a city in the States (or Canada)

Many of us have gone to Brazil multiple times. The fact that we return speaks volumes to the trust and comfort that we have with Dr Fabio and TLC Medical travel.

cheers
becki

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becki, Portland Oregon
DS 2001, plastics 2003, 2004, 2007
beckeye_58@yahoo.com
www.community.webshots.com/user/beckeye

Hello all. They are all correct. It is real safe in Vela Velha. I have been to Brazil 2 times. I walked to the mall,resturants,dress shops and bakery. It is a beautiful area. I also walked to church in Vela Velha. I would do it all over again.
Dr Fabio is the Best! Sharon in TN--God is my pilot!

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Sharon Boreing in TN
GOD is my pilot!
Dr Husted 2002 DS
Dr Fabio 2004 - lbl with inverted ab muscle repair, thigh lift, knee lift, thigh resection, back resection, breast lift with implants, underarm resection, upper arm resection, elbow lift
Dr Fabio 2007- full face lift, chemical peel, inadverted abdomialplasty

I just like to thank everyone for sharing your experiences. Reading all your posts put my inital worries at ease. I'm almost 100% ready for my trip now. Thanks again. It is greatly appreciated. Take Care

Anastasia