Inside SmartPatientGuide, you will learn how to go from
“I think I want surgery abroad” to
“I know exactly what I’m doing, where I’m going, and what I’m paying for”– step by step.
You’re going to discover:
SmartPatientGuide is for you if:
If you want to feel like a Smart Patient – not a “medical tourist” – this course was built for you.
This course is not for you if:
If your goal is “fast, cheap and no questions asked,” this course is not aligned with you – and, respectfully, neither is safe surgery abroad.
You might be wondering: “Why should I learn this from you, Dr. Madelein?”
Because SmartPatientGuide is not theory. It comes from the real, daily experience of a plastic surgeon who has spent years operating on both local and international patients, and seeing what truly makes the difference between a smooth journey and a difficult one.
I am Dr. Madelein Centeno, M.D., certified plastic surgeon at Universal Plastic Surgery in Costa Rica.
Here is why I created this course for you:
I am a Specialist in Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, trained at:
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan
Since 2009, I have worked side by side with my father, Dr. Carlos A. Centeno, one of the pioneers of plastic surgery in Costa Rica, in both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.
I am an International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) since 2019, which means I stay connected with international standards, safety protocols, and ethical guidelines in plastic surgery.
I routinely treat patients who travel from abroad for their procedures. Over time, I’ve seen very clear patterns:
The best outcomes don’t belong to the boldest or the most “fearless” patients.
They belong to the best prepared patients.
I have seen:
Patients who arrive calm, organized and informed, with:
Their medical history and lab tests ready
Realistic expectations and clear goals
A solid plan for their recovery and return home
Their surgeries and recoveries are usually smoother, their stress levels are lower, and their satisfaction is higher.
And I’ve seen patients—sometimes from other clinics or countries—who:
Didn’t know what was included in their quote
Had no idea what labs were done (or not done)
Combined too many procedures because “it was a package deal”
Traveled back home too early and then panicked when something looked wrong
Most of those problems did not start in the operating room.
They started with lack of information, lack of structure, and rushed decisions.
SmartPatientGuide is my way of putting everything I wish every patient knew before boarding a plane into a clear, step‑by‑step format you can follow at home, wherever you are in the world.