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Rhinoplasty in Mexico - Worth the Risk?

asked 2 years ago by Megan021 in Chicago
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 931 times
Tags: costs, ethnic, medical tourism, Mexico, travel

Is traveling to Mexico (from Minnesota) for rhinoplasty safe? The cost is $3,500 for Mexico and $5,400 for MN. My nose is a unique Indian nose. It starts out slim, widens out, then slims in again at the tip. But most of the pics on the MN plastic surgeons websites are all Caucasian noses. Should I chance it with a nose as abnormal as mine by going abroad even though the doctor wouldn't be able to physically examine it? I feel more comfortable with getting surgery here in the U.S. but I really can't afford the $5,400+.

18 answers to Rhinoplasty in Mexico - Worth the Risk?

Rhinoplasty outside the USA.

What if you have a problem? Who is going to see the nose for you? Are you going to pay another air fare to return there? These are only a few of the concerns. If it sounds too good to be true......

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty in Mexico

You can find good surgeons throughout the world. However, with a complex case, you should allow any surgeon ample time to devise the appropriate surgical plan or you may end up with results that will not make you happy.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty in a Foreign Country?

Pound wise and dollar foolish! Going to another country for surgery is fine if you know or if the surgeon has an outstanding reputation for excellence. To go strictly to save money often proves to be a mistake. I know of serious consequences that have occurred in people who have done this. If you have surgery in another country, then come home and a problem develops, you will have to pay a local surgeon to manage the problem. If re-operation is necessary,... more

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty outside the U.S.

It is best to have your rhinoplasty performed within The United States. There are many issues to consider when traveling abroad for surgery, such as quality of anesthesia administration, safety and sterility of the surgery center where the surgery is being performed. In The United States most surgery centers are certified by an accrediting agency such as Medicare, which does not exist in other countries. Also consider the fact that there is a 10 to 20% revision rate so you may be... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

International Rhinoplasty

It is risky to make your decision primarily for financial reasons. Over the years, when I've seen many patients with complications after surgery out of the country, they have universally regreted their decision. The ultimate cost was far greater than the original anticipated savings. Remember, I'm only one surgeon; many of my colleagues have seen similar patients.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Travel outside the country for rhinoplasty is not worth it

No it is not worth it. You live in the best country for surgery. We have the strictest standards. Anybody Board Certified in Plastic Surgery ultimately signs an affidavit that they will only operate in accredited facilities. I have had multiple people come from Medical Tourism trips with infections. It is just not worth the cost savings.

Robert Whitfield, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Overseas plastic surgery

My suggestion would be for you to wait until you can afford it here. I am sure there are very good plastic surgeons in Mexico and elsewhere but problems can and do arise and you want the best facilities to handle them.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Saving money for Plastic Surgery

Is it really worth saving $1000 to have surgery in an unknown place far from your home? If you are traveling to have surgery by an expert that is one thing. But to travel for surgery just to save some money seems like a bad idea.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty: Price is Important but so is Your Result

One thing most qualified surgeons will agree on about Rhinoplasty: It is a very technically challenging procedure and more challenging to consistently achieve excellent results. The truth is that you may have changes in the way your nose looks for several years after the procedure. If you have problems with your Rhinoplasty or with your result in Mexico, you will have no recourse but to have an American Surgeon do the revision.

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

Cosmetic Surgery Abroad

As the other cosmetic surgeons have already advised, there are many disadvantages to having plastic surgery outside the US. One should not take a chance on their own health and well being. Speak in-person with plastic surgeons in your area before jumping to cosmetic surgery abroad. Best of luck.

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nose jobs abroad

I would strongly recommend you save money until you are able to have surgery where you live. As a revision rhinoplasty specialist, I have repaired several noses on patients who either lived in Mexico, or traveled there for surgery. Each time I have had to charge the patient approximately twice as much as it would cost you to have surgery in MN! In addition, I have seen some of the most difficult to fix deformities in these patients. Again, if you have been able to save up cash,... more

Behrooz Torkian, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Medical tourism

While there are excellent surgeons all over the world, I would caution you to go so far to have your surgery done, What if there are complications how will your doctor treat you. While the price may be cheaper in the short run, you may pay alot more in the long run.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Can you afford a bad result? Medical Tourism in Mexico: Discount Plastic Surgery: Worth the risk?

The real question here is what will you do if you get a bad result in Mexico. The cost of correcting it will be higher if you return to the original surgeon and much higher if you try to have it corrected in the US. On what basis are you judging the quality of the Mexican Surgeon? An advertisement? From friends or relatives who have had the surgery perfomed by his/her. Make sure you can adequated evaluate the quality of your surgeon.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

FULL Cost of having A Nose Job in another country...

There are fine Plastic surgeons in most countries in the world, including Mexico. The more established and well-known a surgeon is the LESS he is apt to discount his services. If you are getting a bargain basement price - think again, are you really getting what you think you are getting? If all you can afford is just the price of the surgery, I would strongly advise you NOT to have the surgery. While a surgical complication is not likely we can never eliminate the possibility of having a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Long distance surgery has added risks and costs

Your best option is to find a qualified surgeon close to home so you can have good surgical care. The cost of travel and the inconvenience of not being close to your home and family is significant and needs to be factored into the cost of surgery. Also, the training and expertise of the surgeon needs to be verified in foreign surgery just as much or more than in the U.S. Check around your area for surgical costs for good board certified plastic surgeons and you may find a cost that is more... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

What is your life worth?

There is no regulation outside of the US-- your sureon might not be a trained plastic surgeon or even a doctor. Who do you sue -- if you can --as it takes a year to finally see the result - will you go back if you have a problem. I follow my patients for years -- I will not see people done abroad - even if they are having a problem. We may have problems with our health system here - but it is the best in the world.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Travelling for cosmetic surgery can be hazardous

While I'm certain there are some experienced rhinoplasty surgeons in Mexico- foreign travel for cosmetic surgery is not a smart idea. What is your plan if you develop a complication related to your rhinoplasty when you are back in the US? Fly back to Mexico? Do you have a rhinoplasty surgeon state-side that would be willing to care for you if your out-of-the-country Rhinoplasty is less than optimal?

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Traveling abroad for rhinoplasty

I would advise against travelling abroad for surgery for several reasons. First, your surgeon won't be available to help you if you have a problem after returning. Second, if you do have an untoward outcome, you don't have any recourse. Finally, in the event of complications, your surgery could end up costing more than you initially would have paid here. I suggest either travelling to another location in the US if you cannot find a local surgeon who has experience... more