There is a trend in American plastic surgery patients emigrating for cosmetic surgery in foreign countries. The allure is understandable. Out of country surgery does not cost as much as it does here, and while there is recovery time, why not spend it relaxing in some exotic location, away from all the bothers at home? But there are arguments among physicians as to whether cosmetic surgery vacations are really a good idea.

The cost issue stands true. Cosmetic surgery costs less in foreign countries, mainly because foreign clinics don’t have nearly as many overheads as the ones here – the cost of land and office space, for example. The other side of the coin, however, is that foreign clinics are not always guaranteed to have the same medical standards.

There are always risks involved as with any surgery, so it is important to get to know your doctor’s credentials, education and experience. This should always matter more than the cost of the surgery, as it can tell you more about the quality and results of the procedure. Seemingly, the most popular are Caribbean, South America, and Mexico plastic surgery. Physicians say that while the distance of these places might seem ideal, if things were to go wrong, you would definitely want to be closer to home.

Tijuana cosmetic surgery seems to be a fair compromise. Just a few miles south of the border, a patient can take advantage of both cost, and proximity to home in their plastic surgery procedure. Finding a qualified and reliable Tijuana plastic surgeon is not as difficult as you may think. As with other foreign countries, you can find surgeons who have had extensive and prestigious training in America or Europe, where the quality standards are much higher. So, while you may pay anywhere between 7 and $8,000 in Beverly Hills for a facelift, a Tijuana facelift, just a 3 hours drive away, can cost between 1 and $2,000.

Just make sure you do all your research, and set aside ample time and costs for traveling, accommodations, surgery, medical expenses, and recovery time. A cosmetic surgery vacation could be the best thing ever, if planned correctly. There are even wellness spas available, that are outpatient centers linked to local hotels. Recovery in an exotic, relaxing, and spa-like environment can even boost a patient’s ability to heal, experts say – especially when all the bothers of home and work and friends, are miles away.