Dr. Juan Balestrelli

Plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery

Dr. Juan Ignacio Balestrelli

Plastic surgeon with 22 years of medical practice and 14 years in the specialty. Trained in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and the United States. He practises in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Río Grande.

  • 22 years of medical practice
  • 14 years as a specialist
  • 4 countries of training
Dr. Juan Ignacio Balestrelli
Dr. Juan Ignacio Balestrelli Plastic surgeon · Lic. M.N. 130990

Background

Academic training and experience

Specialist in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, with prior training in general surgery and more than a decade leading plastic surgery departments. His career was forged in reconstructive surgery and is applied today to aesthetic surgery.

  • 22 Years of medical practice
  • 14 Years as a plastic surgeon
  • 10 Years as head of department
  • 5 Scientific societies
  • 4 Countries of training
See full background →

Degrees and positions

  1. 2004 Medical Doctor National University of Córdoba
  2. 2008 Specialist in General Surgery Full residency at Hospital Nacional de Clínicas, Córdoba. Degree endorsed by the National University of Córdoba and the Córdoba Medical College.
  3. 2012 Specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Full residency at Hospital Eva Perón, San Martín. Advanced Specialist Course, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires.
  4. 2012 – 2022 Head of Plastic Surgery Department Led the plastic surgery departments of Clínica Aires de Pacheco, Sanatorio Privado Salud and the Colonia Suiza Salud network for more than ten years.

International training

  • Fellow with Dr. Fernando Nakamura Brasília, Brazil
  • Hospital Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Dr. Ivo Pitanguy Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Hospital da Plástica, Dr. Farid Hakme Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Hospital D'Or, Dr. Ronaldo Pontes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Breast surgery course, Motiva Costa Rica
  • Deep plane facelift course Madrid, Spain
  • Congresses and continuing education United States and Argentina

Hospital career

  • Staff plastic surgeon, appointed by competitive examination, at the Burns Hospital of the City of Buenos Aires.
  • Member of the Cirugía Patria Solidaria programme, a national plan led by Dr. Héctor Lanza for the treatment of cleft lip and palate, burn sequelae and post-oncological breast reconstruction.
  • Author and speaker of scientific papers at national and international congresses, symposia and conferences.

Current positions

  • Staff surgeon, Clínica CEMEP, Río Grande
  • Staff surgeon, Clínica San Jorge, Ushuaia
  • Medical Director, Consultorios del Sur Medical Centre
  • Private practice in Buenos Aires, Río Grande and Ushuaia

Procedures

Scope of practice

The indication for each procedure is established during the consultation, after clinical evaluation. Select a procedure to view its description, technique, anaesthesia and recovery times.

Breast surgery

Breast augmentation

Augmentation mammoplasty

Increases breast volume and projection with implants, in proportion to each patient's anatomy. Planning defines the incision (periareolar or inframammary), the implant plane (subglandular or submuscular) and the size.

Technique

Size is defined during the consultation with sizers, considering aesthetic and functional factors.

Anaesthesia
General, with protocols allowing a short hospital stay.
Duration
approx. 1 h
Hospital stay
3 to 6 h
Complete rest
24 h
Return to work
from 72 h
Physical activity
30 days
Times are indicative and are confirmed during the consultation.

Process

The consultation

A clinical evaluation of approximately thirty minutes, from which the diagnosis, the indication and the treatment plan follow.

  1. Booking

    The appointment is confirmed with advance payment of the consultation. The fee is fixed and communicated via WhatsApp together with availability.

  2. Clinical evaluation

    Physical examination and definition of goals. In breast surgery, implant sizers are tried; in rhinoplasty, a simulation of the expected result is shown.

  3. Surgical plan and quotation

    By the end of the consultation the procedure, the indicated technique, the estimated recovery time and the quotation are defined.

  4. Follow-up

    Pre- and post-operative check-ups are carried out by the surgeon himself.

Surgical setting

Procedures are performed in high-complexity institutions, with their own anaesthesia team and the safety standards each intervention requires.

The consultation is a clinical assessment in itself: it establishes the diagnosis, the indication and the treatment plan.

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Fees

Criteria and conditions

Every surgical indication is particular. The conditions of treatment are set out in writing at the end of the consultation, with the information needed to decide unhurriedly.

Prior evaluation

There are no general tariffs: each indication responds to its own anatomy, technique and complexity. Conditions are established once the clinical evaluation is complete.

Conditions in writing

At the end of the consultation the full detail of the proposed treatment is provided. Nothing is added beyond what was agreed.

Booking

The consultation is confirmed in advance. Conditions and availability are communicated beforehand via WhatsApp.

Coverage by health insurers depends on the nature of the procedure and on each provider. It may be checked prior to booking.

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Locations

Offices

Consultations in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Río Grande are held by scheduled appointment, arranged in advance. Video consultations are available permanently, from anywhere.

Information

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common enquiries. Individual assessment takes place during the consultation.

How is the surgical technique chosen for each case?

The technique is defined by anatomy, the patient's goal and their health, not by a standard procedure. In rhinoplasty, for example, preservation, structural, hybrid or ultrasonic techniques are chosen case by case; in breast surgery, the incision and implant plane are planned after physical examination.

What information do I receive at the end of the consultation?

A concrete plan: the indicated procedure, technique, type of anaesthesia, institution, estimated recovery time and quotation. If a procedure is not indicated or offers no real benefit, that is also explained.

Can more than one procedure be combined in a single surgery?

In many cases yes, for example abdominoplasty with liposculpture, or facelift with blepharoplasty. Combining depends on total operating time, the patient's health and anaesthetic safety, and is assessed during the consultation.

Which pre-operative tests are required and how long does preparation take?

Before surgery, laboratory tests, an electrocardiogram and a cardiology assessment are requested, plus procedure-specific studies such as breast ultrasound. Preparation usually takes two to four weeks from the consultation.

Where are surgeries performed and with what anaesthesia?

In high-complexity institutions with their own anaesthesia team, in Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego. The type of anaesthesia, local with sedation or general, depends on the procedure and is indicated in each procedure's card.

How is follow-up organised for patients from other cities?

Surgery is scheduled allowing for a stay in the city long enough for the immediate check-ups. Later follow-up is arranged around the consulting dates in Ushuaia and Río Grande or at the Buenos Aires office, always with the same surgeon.

From what age can surgery be performed?

Rhinoplasty can be performed from 15 or 16 years of age; breast surgery ideally from 18. Minors require parental consent. There is no upper age limit: it is determined by the patient's health.

Does health insurance cover these procedures?

Aesthetic surgery is usually not covered. Some reconstructive or functional procedures, such as breast reduction for hypertrophy or post-oncological reconstruction, may be covered depending on the provider. It is advisable to check before booking.

Contact

Request a consultation

Consultations in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Río Grande and by video call. Appointments are arranged via WhatsApp.

plasticacolonia@gmail.com Request an appointment on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)
  • Buenos Aires Sarmiento 1371, office 211
  • Ushuaia Rojas 551 · Consultorio San Salvador
  • Río Grande Perito Moreno 267 · Consultorios del Sur
  • Video consultation By video call, from anywhere