• Many web sites try to sell you the idea of a plastic surgery-vacation with beautiful beaches and sun. Even though we can certainly take you to tourist attractions, we'd rather focus our attention on what really matters and has a lasting effect: Making sure that you get the best plastic surgeon, service and comfort, so your desired procedure can be a total success.
• ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizens (who are not also Colombian citizens) must show a valid U.S. passport to enter and leave Colombia. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 60 days or less. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Colombia must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in Bogotá to obtain permission to depart. An exit tax must be paid at the airport when departing Colombia. If you are from another country other than the U.S. please check with your local embassy on visa requirements for entering Colombia or you may visit
  http://www.colombiaemb.org/opencms/opencms/consulates/tourist.html

For further information regarding entry and customs requirements, travelers should contact the Colombian Embassy at 2118 Leroy Place, N. W., Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-8338; Internet web site - http://www.colombiaemb.org; or the Colombian consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan P.R.

• Travelers may require some time to adjust to the altitude, which can affect blood pressure, digestion, and energy level. Persons with medical conditions related to the circulatory or respiratory system should ask their physician if travel to Bogotá or other high-altitude locations is advisable.
• SAFETY AND SECURITY: Crime and violence by narcotics traffickers and gorilla groups is at its lowest. The little that is left is in the jungles far away from the big cities. Now a days traveling to Bogotá is very safe, 2.9 million people visit our beautiful city each year for business and pleasure.
• CURRENCY: Colombian peso, which can be found in bills of 1.000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 AND 50.000 denominations. Peso coins are available in 100, 200 and 500
• WEATHER: The entire country offers a variety of different climate types. For the most part, there is a wet and dry season to consider. During October, November, April, May and June, you will find that there is a lot of rainfall. The dry season can be observed from December to March. The average temperature for the area can be found between 50-70 degrees throughout the year.

Should I Base My Decision on the Cost of the Cosmetic Surgery?

Decisions about cosmetic surgery should not be based solely on cost. The cheapest procedure might mean that the surgeon does the procedure quickly and incompletely. Cosmetic surgery is a hand-crafted art form. Would you base a decision to buy a painting on its price or on the aesthetic judgment and skill of the artist? It is more reasonable to base your decision about cosmetic surgery on the surgeon's reputation, the surgeon's apparent skill, the surgeon's experience and the surgeon's ability to communicate with you in a manner that is professional, sincere, comfortable, and unhurried.

Five years after your cosmetic surgery, you will probably not remember the exact amount you paid for the surgery, but you will be aware of the quality of the results for the rest of your life. The most common source of disappointment following plastic surgery is dissatisfaction with the degree of improvement ("it looks as if nothing was done") or unhappiness with uneven lumpy-bumpy results. The cost of cosmetic surgery should not be the main basis for your choice of surgeon. Do not put your body on the bargain rack.

What are the Risks of Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery, like any procedure, carries with it some degree of risk. Complications are rare, but they do occur. Modern procedures have greatly diminished most risks. However, these complications might be enhanced if you have certain health conditions, such as:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• A bleeding disorder
• Heart or lung disease
• Obesity
• Severe allergies
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis
• Depression

Alcohol is a mild blood thinner, and caffeine can slightly raise blood pressure, so cutting back one month before surgery is a good idea.

If you suffer from any of this health problems smoke or drink alcohol excessively, you may face a higher risk of complications. At Cosmetic Harmony we insist that smokers quit for two to four weeks prior to surgery and remain smoke-free for two to four weeks after surgery. If you feel that you can’t stop, postpone your surgery until you address this issues. Trying to hide the matter from your plastic surgeon will not work, the medical exams conducted before surgery will reveal your habits. Putting your life in danger is not a smart decision.

Be sure you give your surgeon a complete medical history, including medications such as aspirin, vitamins, hormones (oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement) and herbal compounds and supplements. These products can interfere with blood clotting or with other medications used during surgery.

Is depression common following cosmetic surgery?

There are several factors that contribute to post-operative depression, including:

• The anticipation and stress of preparing for surgery can have a rebound effect
• The medications, anesthesia and trauma of the surgery have physical effects that will affect your emotional well-being
• Stress and fear regarding complications and disfigurement
• Refraining from exercise can make you feel tired, blue, and out of sorts
• Adjusting to your new look
• Dealing with family and friends reactions to your surgery
• Financial stress
• Feeling guilty about having the procedure