I decided on Dr. Edwin Magallona after two and a half years of an international
search for that perfect cosmetic surgeon.  My search demanded high standards in
expertise, customer satisfaction, background investigation, support staff,
emergency procedure’s, international travel to office (reasonable distance from
airport), Pre/Post surgery and recovery accommodations.  If I felt the doctor
didn’t meet my standards in any way I instantly cut-off correspondence and
deleted him/her from my list.  Ultimately my list came down to four
international doctors.
The cost of surgery did influence my decision but only after all other
standards had been met.  The great thing was when I decided on Dr. Magallona all
finance exchanges were handled as smoothly as possible.  The financial phase of
dealing with Dr. Magallona only made me more comfortable with my final
selection.  In my opinion selecting Dr. Edwin Magallona would be a wise
decision.
I’m an American working in the Middle East at present.  Till this surgery I’ve
only had cosmetic surgery done in the United States.  I had my first cosmetic
surgery done by Dr. Meland at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.  When
Dr. Meland left Mayo Clinic to open his private practice he performed my second
cosmetic surgery.  If you don’t know, the Mayo clinic is world renown for the
best in medical care.  Mayo Clinic is the hospital of choice by royalty,
political leaders and the wealthy worldwide.
After talking about cosmetic surgery to doctors and nurses practicing here
from South Africa, England, India and the Philippines I decided to research
cosmetic surgery outside of the United States.  During a vacation I went to Dr.
Meland and he agreed that some international doctors are highly qualified to
perform the surgery I wanted.  I wanted a mid and lower facelift, nose
alterations, lower face and neck liposuction, upper and lower eyelid
alterations, fraxel laser on my forehead and hands.
Since I’m working in the Middle East I was able to open my search area to
Europe, Africa and Asia.  Still, I knew if I couldn’t find an acceptable doctor
I would return to Dr. Meland in the United States.  Because I had Dr. Meland as
my alternate I decided to also look into Central and Southern America.
My research standards required the doctor’s expertise to be recognized by a
board certified in plastic surgery.  The doctor’s expertise had to be recognized
by his colleagues as well as his prior patients.
My research standards required all the prior patients contacted were satisfied
with the surgery.  Every prior patient had to answer yes to my question if they
would recommend the doctor to their parents and/or children.  Some prior
patients weren’t to happy with their parents or children so another acceptable
answer was if they would recommend the doctor to their friends.
My research standard required the doctor not have any complaints filed.  This
was researched at all available levels to include the civil (court), internet
and medical board.  I also had a criminal investigation completed by a local
detective on my final four candidates.  It worked out I was able to talk to Dr.
Magallona’s mother in southern California.  I took the opportunity to ask
personal questions about Dr. Magallona.  At this stage I was setting up a
deposit for my surgery so my questions were more to verify what I already knew
through my research.
My research standard required the anesthesiologist and internal medicine
doctor not have any complaints filed.  This research was done to the civil,
internet and medical board level.
My research standard required emergency staff and equipment available should a
catastrophic event take place.  My concerns were an event such as my heart,
lungs or other vital organ failing during surgery.  I wanted an expert in the
field of the failed organ to be available in a well-respected hospital.  Because
of this standard I wanted my surgery to be done in a nearby hospital.
I waived this standard after an inspection of the surgical facilities and
getting to know the staff.  Dr. Mary Jeanne Vera the anesthesiologist is
awesome!  Through Dr. Vera’s in-dept questioning (ultimate professionalism),
fantastic beside manner and above all no complications during or after surgery
I’d rate her as the best anesthesiologist I have ever had.  Dr. Jess Garcia the
internist is a little serious at first but does warm-up.  I had all my tests
done before I arrived so Dr. Garcia verified everything and approved the
surgery.  Danilo the main pre/post surgery nurse (goes by Dan) is awesome!  Dan
was the one that was with me on surgery day from Dr. Magallona’s office and well
into recovery at Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.  All other nurses at
Dr. Magallona’s offices are skilled professionals with extra emphasis on their
empathy.
My research standard for the doctor’s location was met because Dr. Magallona’s
office is about 45 minutes from the Manila international airport.  I had a
caregiver (Jenny Dela Torre) meet me at the airport and we took a cab to Dr.
Magallona’s office.
My research standard for post surgery was met with the hospital stay after my
surgery.  I extended my hospital stay 3 days and highly recommend you do the
same.  I had a large private room, which my caregiver stayed with me for the
entire time.  I highly recommend Jenny Dela Torre as a caregiver for your stay
also.  Ask Dr. Magallona about Jenny Dela Torre and I’m sure he will give you
her contact information.
My pre-surgery and recovery accommodations standard was met by Lancaster
Suites, which is about 300 yards away from Dr. Edwin’s offices.  Lancaster
Suites isn’t the best accommodations I’ve been in but it is better then
average.  I’d rate it as a solid 3 star or weak 4 star hotel.  The hotel staff
was excellent and went out of their way to help in any way possible.  The room
was clean, modern and well furnished complete with a kitchen area.  While I was
there Lancaster Suites was still under construction so at times it was noisy and
dusty during the day.  I would have given Lancaster Suites higher marks except
for the construction, which was a daily part of my stay.
When Lancaster Suites is completed I would stay there again.  I didn’t see any
accommodations better then Lancaster Suites in the immediate area.  Shangri La
Hotel may give you better access to SM Megamall and Shangri La Super Mall but
the hotel rooms aren’t better.  I’d say the rooms at Shangri La hotel are only
different then Lancaster Suites, so it’s up to your interior design tastes as to
which hotel you select.
Going to Dr. Edwin is a choice I have absolutely no regrets about.  Every
phase of my visit was as expected or better.  As you may be able to tell, I’m an
organized person and I like things to go as smoothly as possible.
Dr. Edwin went out of his way to help in any way possible.  He give me a ride
to my hotel after a check-up because I was his last patient that day (ask to be
his last person of the day and he may give you a ride too).  His check-up visits
after the surgery at my hotel room ended up being more like a friend coming over
for a visit.
There are two plastic surgeons in the world I would recommend.  They are Dr.
Meland in Scottsdale Arizona and Dr. Magallona in Mandaluyong City,
Philippines.  They are both great!
Sincerely, Daniel G. USA

I am 49 years old, Filipino descent now residing in Toronto, Canada. I had the following done in the Phils on Nov 2010 under the care of Dr. Edwin Paul Magallona: BrowLift, Blepharoplasty (eyelid), Rhinoplasty (nose tip) and Breast Augmentation. I met a few Canadian Plastic Surgeon but with the cost, I decided to have it done in the Phils. I choose Dr. Edwin Paul Magallona, after a thorough research online amongst the finest Phil. Certified Plastic Surgeon because of his quick response to all my inquiries and questions regarding the surgeries I intend to have and not to mention his credentials, experienced and association to big and reputable hospitals in Metro Manila.
We’ve exchanged several emails regarding multiple surgery procedure, cost, pros and cons, deposit, pre-op requirements, recovery time and all related issues. I am confident with Dr. Mags and decided to push thru and booked my surgeries with him. He also booked my hotel reservation at Lancaster including the pick- up and drop off to Managed Care Phils. Clinic.
Dr. Mgallona met with me at the hotel on Sunday on they day of our arrival for consultation and briefing. The surgery is scheduled the next day. I first met Dra. Marie Jeanne Vera who explain the pros and cons of the procedures, review medical history and current condition. Then met with Dr. Jess Garcia, the internist, to assess my medical condition and gives the go signal with the operation. I was then led to the operating room where I met Dr. Mags, Dr. Vera and the 3 nurses: Leila, Blessie & Weng who comforted me prior to the operations as I was very very nervous. The surgery went well, was send back to the hotel, bought all the medications prescribed for the recovery with 2 nurses who stayed with me for the first 8 hours after the surgery. The first 48 hrs. was critical but only had minor pain. As for the post follow up check up – received a call from Dr. Vera Vera on the first day and Dr. Mags visited me at my hotel on my 1st and 3rd dayStitches were removed on the 7th day and last day prior to departure. Dr. Mags also send txt messages to check while in the province.
Overall, I would highly recommend Dr. Edwin Paul Magallona and the staffs of Managed Care Phils. and definitely go back to him for other services in the future. They are very professional, easy and approachable and on time…Dr. Mags is very flexible with your appointment…he always fit at the patient’s convenience. Dr. Mags did a great job with my brows, eyes, nose and breast…thou still a bit swollen…I am very happy with the results. I had an easy and fast recovery that on my 4th day I was already out at the mall. On my 7th day posted my new looks in FB and got a lot of compliments .
Best regards to Dr. Edwin Paul Magallona and his staffs and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!…will send you update photos….More power to you all!
God Bless,
Jackie O. of Toronto Canada