Frequently Asked Questions
Questions people ask us before their first appointment
These are the ones we receive most often by phone and WhatsApp, grouped by topic. If yours is not here, write to us and we will gladly answer.
Facial Harmonization
What is Facial Harmonization?
They are medical aesthetic treatments that aim to balance the proportions of the face and enhance your features. They can be non-surgical, in the office, or surgical when the case requires it. The doctor looks at the whole face, not a single wrinkle. There are more details in Facial Harmonization.
Which treatments does it include?
Non-surgical, there are five: Hyaluronic Acid, Botulinum Toxin, Biostimulators, skin tightening technologies and Non-Surgical Double Chin Reduction. Dr. Thuel combines them based on your case, and almost no one needs all of them. If your case calls for an operating room, there are also facial surgery options.
Who performs the treatments?
They are performed by Dr. Irene Thuel, Physician and Surgeon, Expert in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, code MED10355. She has been caring for patients for more than 17 years, and she also takes part in all of the clinic's surgeries, as a team with Dr. Juan Ramón Poveda Xatruch.
Will the result look overdone, or will I look like a different person?
It is the most common concern, and it is a valid one. The doctor aims for a measured result that does not change your features. During your consultation, she tells you what can and cannot be achieved, and she often suggests going in stages to adjust little by little.
Consultation and appointments
Why start with a consultation?
Because without evaluating your case, there is no way to know what is right for you. During your consultation, the doctor listens to what you want to improve, reviews your health and the area that concerns you, whether on the face or body, and proposes a plan in stages.
How do I book my consultation?
From the consultation page or on WhatsApp at +(506) 6053-5355. If you prefer to call, our phone line is +(506) 4070-2045.
Will I receive the treatment on the same day as the consultation?
Sometimes, yes. Other times it is better to plan ahead or take a preliminary step first. The doctor decides this during your consultation, based on your case.
Can I reschedule or cancel my appointment?
Of course. Just let us know on WhatsApp in advance. The details are in our appointment and cancellation policy.
Safety, discomfort and recovery
What product brands does Dr. Thuel use?
Only very high-quality products, with sanitary registration and medical backing. Dr. Thuel is not tied to any brand or pharmaceutical company: in each case she chooses what will truly benefit you. She understands the effort each person makes to come in for treatment, and she wants you to leave at ease and satisfied with your decision.
Do the treatments hurt?
There is always some discomfort; how much depends on the treatment, the area and each person. Before starting, the doctor tells you what you will feel and what she uses to keep you as comfortable as possible.
Are there risks?
Yes, like any medical treatment. The most common are swelling, redness, tenderness or bruising in the treated area. The doctor explains the risks in your case, depending on the treatment and your health history, during your consultation.
How much recovery time do I need?
It varies with each treatment and each person, so we cannot give you a number in advance. There is always some recovery time, and the doctor will tell you what to expect and what care to follow.
Are there people who should not have these treatments?
Yes. There are health situations in which it is better to wait, or in which a treatment is not recommended. That is why, during the consultation, we ask about your medical history, your medications and whether you have any allergies. If something is not safe for you, we will tell you.
Results
What result will I get?
We cannot promise you that, because each person responds differently. What we do explain is what each treatment aims to improve in your case, and what cannot be achieved.
How long does the effect last?
It varies a great deal from person to person. The treatment, your skin, your metabolism and your lifestyle all play a role. The doctor guides you based on your case.
How often is a touch-up needed?
There is no fixed rule: it depends on each patient and on the medical evaluation. That is why follow-up visits with the doctor are part of the plan.
What if I am not satisfied with the result?
Tell us. We will book a follow-up visit with the doctor, who evaluates how your case responded and explains what options you have.
Location, hours and payments
Where is Clínica Thuel located?
At Centro Médico Nunciatura, Calle 76A, San José, 10108, Costa Rica. If you are not familiar with the area, write to us on WhatsApp and we will give you directions.
What are your opening hours?
Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Always by appointment.
What is the investment in a treatment?
It depends on the plan your case needs, which is why we do not give a general price. During your consultation, the doctor tells you the investment for each stage, before starting.
The consultation costs US$100, VAT included. If you decide to have a medical treatment or procedure, that amount is applied in full toward your treatment or procedure when you formalize it with your payment on the same day as the consultation or within the following seven calendar days. It can be the full payment or a first payment of more than US$100.
What payment methods do you accept?
On WhatsApp, at +(506) 6053-5355, we will gladly tell you about the available payment methods.
Surgery
When is surgery a better fit than a non-surgical treatment?
When what you want to improve can no longer be addressed without surgery; for example, excess skin on the eyelids or a double chin with significant laxity. If that is your case, Dr. Thuel will tell you during your consultation and suggest evaluating surgery, which she performs as a team with Dr. Juan Ramón Poveda Xatruch, Physician and Surgeon, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
Who performs the surgeries?
A team: Dr. Irene Thuel and Dr. Juan Ramón Poveda Xatruch, code MED5800. He performs the surgery together with her, and both of them are with you at the consultation, in planning, in the operating room and at your follow-up visits. Together they have more than 40 years of experience. Learn more about facial surgery and body surgery.
Does surgery involve recovery and risks?
Yes, every surgery has them, as well as discomfort and a recovery time that depends on each patient and on the medical evaluation. Dr. Thuel and Dr. Poveda explain them in detail during your consultation.
Do you have another question?
Write to us on WhatsApp or book your consultation, and Dr. Thuel will answer your questions about your case.