When Beauty Calls for a Medical Vacation to Costa Rica

In today’s glitz and glam-oriented world, it‘s no wonder why hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo cosmetic surgery yearly. In 2006 alone, around 800,000 Americans went under a knife to enhance their looks, correct imperfections, or simply feel better about themselves.   

Medical vacations overseas are now the order of the day, thanks to staggering plastic surgery costs in the US and despite the many dangers of liposuction and infection.  Fast becoming the cosmetic surgery mecca is Costa Rica, otherwise known as the “Beverly Hills of Latin America”.  Thousands of foreign tourists visit Costa Rica every year for surgery, 14% of whom go for dental or medical procedures thanks to the competitive pricing that Costa Rica offers. 

Looking Your Best after a Medical Vacation

Attracted by the low, low plastic surgery cost but scared of the dangers of cosmetic enhancements and liposuction? Costa Rica has one of the best health care systems and medical vacation packages in Latin America.  Moreover, it has fully trained cosmetic surgery specialists who have access to state-of-the-art facilities. 

Richard Feldman, a known medical tourism expert, says,  

      “You can save up to 75% off U.S. prices for most procedures." 

Unbelievably Reasonable Plastic Surgery Costs

Medical vacations to Costa Rica need not cost one his bank account.  Plastic surgery costs here are a welcome surprise.  A face lift (most common), which includes admission, medication, and nursing care in Costa Rica would cost anywhere between $3,000 and $4,700 compared to US rates ranging from $6,000 to $15,000. Dental work also has very attractive rates, be it for simple fillings to surgical implants and periodontics.  Here, dental implants cost only half of those in the US. 

Once can get a gastric bypass for only $10,000 here compared to $35,000 – $45,000 in the States.  For breast augmentation, what would cost $7,000- $10, 000 in the US only costs around $3,000 in Costa Rica.  And if you're worried about the quality of the materials, just know that most of them come from the US with FDA approval, a fact that puts many at ease when it comes the perceived dangers of liposuction, plastic surgery, and medical care in general. 

Source:  “Lipotourism big in the USA,” Cosmetic Surgery Answers, February 7, 2007