Sample Pricing of a Face Lift and Recovery (revised as of July, 2023)

So, I wanted to give people an idea of pricing. Let's assume that after Dr. Lev sees your photos he recommends a facelift for you that includes the neck, jowls, cheeks, upper and lower eyelids.

As of July of 2023, that surgery performed at the simple clinic costs a package price of $8800. That price includes Dr. Lev's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee, and the clinic fee combined.

Hospital vs Clinic

The prices charged by the full service private Cima Hospital have been ratcheted up bigtime over the last 5 - 7 years. At this point (today is May 23, 2024) there is about a $5000 - $6000 difference in price between having the facelift done at the Centro Medico Rivera clinic and the facelift done at the Cima Hospital. That is an approximation, since it's really, truly impossible to give an exact price for the Cima hospital bills because the hospital charges according to how long the OR is used for your surgery and what specific medications and services you used. They charge around $1000 for every hour spent in the OR. This particular facelift (neck, jowls, cheeks, upper/lower eyelids) takes about 6 hours, so the OR fees alone are at least $6000, not counting Dr. Lev's fees and whatever medical services and medications/supplies you use during your overnight stay. Clinic fees which are all inclusive of Dr. Lev's fees, the anesthesiologist's fees and the clinic's fees combined are set fees unlike hospital fees which are anybody's guess, until you get your bill at the end of your stay.

The Cima, like every hospital in the US, charges for everything from the OR to bandaids. They charge for every single little thing. When I had my 2nd facelift done by Dr. Lev at the Cima Hospital in 2008, my hospital bill was $1700. They've been consistently raising their prices every year since then but the increases have increased in the last 5+ years. Now it's kinda off the charts and unless you are super duper wealthy, there's really no reason to choose to have your surgery done at the hospital.

I have found in my 75 years on earth that hospitals aren't always the best place to have surgery done if there's an option. The clinic is immaculate and has everything Dr. Lev needs to perform his surgeries in their well-equipped OR. So to be concise, if you're having a facelift that includes neck, jowls, cheeks, upper and lower eyelids done, it will cost you $8800 at the clinic and about $14,000 (including Dr. Lev's and the anesthesiologist's fees) at the Cima. If you're having the "whole enchilada" as I like to call it, which includes neck, jowls, cheeks, upper/lower eyelids and brow lift, the surgery done at the clinic is $10,800 and at the Cima will cost about $16,000+. The hospital also charges an optional $300 for a private overnight nurse to stay with you in your room for an 8 hour shift. The clinic provides a private nurse included in their fees.

Meanwhile....

Dr. Lev is quite happy to do the surgeries at the Centro Medico Rivera clinic. They have everything he needs to perform his surgeries. They are prepared for emergencies in every way except they do not have an ICU. It is extremely rare for patients to need an ICU. On the off-chance a patient needs an ICU, they will transport the patient by ambulance to the nearest full service hospital. That would be a maximum 10 minute drive from the clinic.

With a facelift of any kind, or any major surgery including tummy tucks, breast lifts/reductions, Dr. Lev wants you to arrange a minimum 15-day stay in San Jose, Costa Rica, arriving at least 2 days prior to surgery, and arranging your stay in one of the two recovery places we work with and highly recommend who know the "drill" and Dr. Lev's protocols. These two places that we recommend, cost either $125 or $180 per night, and are all-inclusive of airport pick up and drop off, meals, private room and bath, internet, wifi, rides to and from your appointments with Dr. Lev pre and post op, and the clinic on surgery day, pick up the following morning, flat screen tv, hospital bed, a/c, ceiling fan, wifi and internet, etc.

Email me at dr.alejandrolev@gmail.com if you have any further questions. Also, send your photos to me at that email address as well. Make sure you take clear photos in front of a plain background with good lighting. Front and side views.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Love, Didi