ABC's 20/20 Story: Saving Money on Cosmetic Surgery in Costa Rica

The news program 20/20 recent coverage of Cosmetic Surgery included a story concerning housewives who traveled to Costa Rica for cosmetic procedures:  tummy tucks, liposuction, breast lifts with implants and eyelid surgery.  The physician was Dr. Federico Macaya

While the program references complications incurred by one of the patients, she goes on to state that she couldn't have used a US-based doctor:

"I can't financially. I have no guarantee if I spent $25,000 in the United States to do it, that it wouldn't have gone wrong as well,"

Finally, as a testament to how the Internet is transforming the means by which patients seek out providers and medical care, the story cites that

the women happened to wind up at the same site on the Internet — as they surfed the Web to find affordable cosmetic surgery prices.

What they found online opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

They all learned that Costa Rica — the land of volcanoes, beaches, rain forests — was also the land of low-priced cosmetic surgery. The country is now one of the hottest spots for average Americans looking for an extreme makeover.

Please share comments if you've experienced or considered Costa Rica for plastic surgery or any other medical procedure.

Comments

[Cosmetic Surgery Abroad]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

[san diego cosmetic dentist]

I've read some article that there a very affordable cosmetic surgery in Costa Rica,coz my friend also undergo in this kind of medical procedure but its not worth it,i will suggest to her go to Costa Rica.

by: florence

[Kendra Pfleidner]

I had an abdominoplasty, thigh lift, breast reduction/lift. It was absolutely the best. The surgery was done by Dr. Rashi Rosenstock. I stayed at La Mas Villas for recovery. I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A NEW YORK MINUTE. (I needed the plastic surgery because I had gastric bypass in the states, but the insurance would not cover excess skin removal.)

[Girlygirl]

You'll be interested to note that the website in which these patients met as described in the story is www.plasticsurgeryjourneys.com.

It is a patient-supported website for infomration on Plastic Surgery aborad.

=) Lily