Frequently Asked Questions

A plastic surgery recovery house is a licensed, medically supervised residential facility where patients recover after cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Unlike hotels or home recovery, a recovery house provides 24/7 nursing care, wound management, lymphatic drainage massage, recovery-optimized meals, and clinical monitoring - all designed to ensure the safest and most comfortable healing experience possible.

Yes. DR BetterSelf holds an official Licencia de Habilitacion from the Dominican Republic's Ministerio de Salud Publica (Ministry of Health). Our License Code is 03201A08470, valid from November 2025 through November 2030. This license confirms we have been officially inspected, approved, and certified to provide post-operative residential care.

We are located at C/ Caracoles #70, Caracoles del Sur, Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic. Our facility is situated in a quiet, secure residential neighborhood close to major surgical clinics - approximately 20–35 minutes from Las Americas International Airport (SDQ).

We support recovery from all major plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures including: BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift), Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Mommy Makeover, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction, Rhinoplasty, Arm Lift (Brachioplasty), Thigh Lift, and combination procedures. Our team will customize your care plan based on your specific surgery.

Absolutely. The majority of our patients travel from the United States - primarily from New York, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California. Our staff is fluent in English, we understand US medical standards and expectations, and we're experienced in coordinating with US-based physicians for continuity of care after you return home.

DR BetterSelf is intentionally a boutique facility. We maintain a small patient census to ensure every guest receives the individualized attention they deserve. This means our rooms fill up - so early booking is essential.

Most BBL patients stay 7–14 days at a recovery house. We recommend a minimum of 7 nights to ensure proper monitoring, lymphatic drainage sessions, and safe healing before flying home. Longer stays correlate with better results and reduced complication rates. Your surgeon's recommendation always takes priority.

Yes. We provide all necessary BBL recovery equipment including specialized BBL pillows, positioning aids, and medical-grade reclining support to protect the transferred fat during the critical first weeks. Proper positioning during recovery is essential for BBL result preservation.

Sitting protocols after BBL depend entirely on your surgeon's instructions. We strictly follow your surgeon's post-op orders regarding positioning, weight-bearing restrictions, and sitting timelines. Our nursing team monitors compliance 24/7 to protect your results.

Most BBL surgeons recommend daily or every-other-day lymphatic drainage for the first 2 weeks post-surgery. Our Premium Package includes 7 sessions over 10 nights, and our VIP Package offers unlimited daily sessions. Additional sessions can be added to any package.

Because mommy makeover typically combines multiple procedures (tummy tuck, breast lift, liposuction, etc.), recovery is more involved than a single procedure. Most patients require 10–14 days of supervised recovery before flying. We recommend our Premium or VIP Package for mommy makeover patients to ensure adequate care time and lymphatic sessions.

Yes - recovering from multiple simultaneous procedures requires more nursing attention, more drainage management, more pain support, and more careful monitoring. Our team is experienced with mommy makeover recovery and will build your care plan to address each procedure area appropriately.

Yes. Drain management is a core nursing service at DR BetterSelf. Our nurses empty, measure, and document drain output daily, monitor for signs of infection, and assist with drain removal coordination when your surgeon clears it.

Yes. Airport pickup is included in all packages. We'll meet you at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) with a private, comfortable vehicle equipped for post-operative passengers. If you're being discharged from a hospital or surgical clinic, we'll pick you up there as well.

We use private, spacious vehicles appropriate for post-surgical patients - including space for luggage, compression garments, and limited mobility needs. Our drivers are trained to assist post-op patients safely and understand the careful handling required.

Yes. Transportation to all post-operative follow-up appointments with your surgeon is included in our Premium and VIP Packages. Starter Package patients can arrange follow-up transport at an additional fee.

Yes. All three packages include daily meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are prepared with post-operative nutrition in mind: high protein, anti-inflammatory, easily digestible, and hydration-focused.

Absolutely. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions, food allergies, or personal preferences before your arrival. We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and most other dietary needs. VIP Package guests receive fully customized menus.

Our recovery menu focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods including lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs), fresh vegetables, healing soups and broths, vitamin-rich fruits, and anti-inflammatory spices. We avoid heavily processed, high-sodium, or inflammatory foods that could worsen post-surgical swelling.

Yes - all nurses at DR BetterSelf hold active medical licenses issued in the Dominican Republic. They have clinical training in post-operative care, wound management, vital sign monitoring, and patient assessment. This distinguishes us from recovery houses that use uncertified caregivers.

It means a licensed nurse is physically present at our facility 24 hours a day, every day - not just on-call by phone. Nurses work in shifts to ensure no gap in coverage. They perform routine check-ins throughout the night, are awake and alert during overnight shifts, and are available immediately if you need anything.

Yes. Our licensed nurses can administer oral and injectable medications as prescribed by your surgeon. Please bring all prescribed post-operative medications with you, and provide us with a copy of your medication instructions on arrival.

Our nurses are trained in emergency response protocols. In the event of a medical emergency, we immediately contact your surgeon, stabilize the patient, and arrange urgent medical transport to the nearest hospital if required. We maintain relationships with local emergency facilities for rapid patient transfer.

Yes. Our facility is located in a secure, private residential neighborhood in Santo Domingo Este. The compound is gated and monitored. Patients are not required to leave the facility for any part of their recovery - everything is provided on-site or we handle all transportation for you.

Yes. We follow strict infection control and wound care protocols - including hand hygiene standards, sterile wound dressing procedures, isolation practices for infectious conditions, and regular facility sanitization. Cleanliness and clinical hygiene are non-negotiable at DR BetterSelf.

The easiest way is to message us on WhatsApp at +1 (809) 601-3352. Tell us your surgery type, planned surgery date, desired package, and number of nights needed. We'll confirm availability and guide you through the rest of the booking process step by step.

Pricing varies by package, room type, and length of stay. Please contact us directly for current pricing. We're transparent about costs and will provide a full, itemized breakdown of everything included. There are no hidden fees.

We accept multiple payment methods including bank transfer, Zelle, and other options discussed at booking. Our team will guide you through the payment process. All transactions are secured and documented.

We understand that surgery plans sometimes change. Please discuss our refund and rescheduling policy with our team when you book. We work with patients to find fair solutions when circumstances are outside their control - your surgeon cancelling is always taken into consideration.

Yes. We offer private suites (Premium Package) and VIP suites (VIP Package) with private en-suite bathrooms. Our Starter Package uses shared rooms with a maximum of two patients per room. All rooms are clean, comfortable, and climate-controlled.

Yes. High-speed WiFi is available throughout the facility, included in all packages. Staying connected with family, watching your favorite shows, or joining video calls with your surgeon back home is completely supported.

Yes, in certain room configurations. Please inform us when booking if you're bringing a companion. We'll arrange appropriate accommodations for an additional nightly fee. Many patients find it comforting to have a loved one nearby, especially during the first few days post-surgery.

We recommend bringing: all prescribed post-op medications, your compression garments (unless your surgeon provides them), comfortable loose clothing, your phone charger and personal toiletries, your surgeon's post-op care instructions, and your insurance or emergency contact information. We'll send you a complete pre-arrival packing list after booking.