Why More People Are Traveling Abroad for Plastic Surgery

By traveling abroad, people can save 40 to 80 percent for plastic surgery, depending on the procedure and the country. Brazil, Japan, Italy, and Mexico are among the top international destinations of choice for cosmetic surgery, with Russia, India, Turkey, Germany, and France rounding out the top ten, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

Medical tourism, which covers all types of procedures including elective plastic surgery, is growing worldwide at an estimated rate of 15 to 25 percent, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a respected research firm and clearinghouse for data and information on the health travel industry.

The organization estimates that approximately 1.4 million Americans travel to another country annually for everything from knee surgery to dental crowns.