Americans head to Mexico for plastic surgery

Low costs and proximity to the US make Guadalajara the 'in' place to get a 'tummy tuck.'

By Sara Miller Llana

from the August 2, 2007 edition

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Every year tourists descend upon Guadalajara, often referred to as the most "Mexican" of Mexican cities, where the crooning of mariachi music originated.

But first-time visitor Jennifer Guerra, from Houston, pays no attention to Mexico's most celebrated symbol. She's here for one reason alone. "I'm getting a 'tummy tuck' tomorrow," she says, nervously.

Indeed, Guadalajara, Mexico's second-biggest city, has become a new "in" place for Americans like Ms. Guerra seeking plastic surgery, fuelled by the same cheap prices that have given rise to the growing phenomenon of medical tourism worldwide, word of mouth, and tour operators that make planning for surgery south of the border as simple as booking a vacation.

"The number of those traveling [outside the US for plastic surgery] has grown dramatically," says Tony Staffieri, marketing and public relations manager for International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). "Mexico is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world."

Guadalajara's proximity to tourist spots like Puerto Vallarta and Lake Chapala, where one of the largest American retirement communities resides in Mexico, has helped boost its appeal as a place for Americans to seek plastic surgery.

While ISAPS could not confirm the ratio, those in Guadalajara like to boast that the city has more certified plastic surgeons per capita anywhere in Latin America outside Rio de Janeiro. Guadalajara also has a public hospital that gives poor people access to plastic surgery at discounted rates, says plastic surgeon Jose Guerrerosantos.

"We say that no one is unattractive in Guadalajara," jokes Martha Venegas, a resident here. "There are poor people, but no ugly ones."

On a recent afternoon, Jose Amezcua fights through rush-hour traffic in Guadalajara on his way to visit Guerra and her sister-in-law. Mr. Amezcua spent his professional life in tourism, until he moved into the plastic surgery industry six years ago: Today he is the driver for Air Lift Inc., a North Carolina-based company that connects women who want liposuction or an eyelift with a bilingual driver, a room and all meals at a private home, and a surgeon in Guadalajara.

Door-to-door service

He picks them up from the airport, takes them to their initial appointments with the doctor, and drives them home after surgery. "The women are often nervous," he says, "but these two at least understand some Spanish."

When he arrives at their bed-and-breakfast, Guerra is sitting at the kitchen table. "I was always scared to go to Mexico," says Guerra, rattling off the botched jobs she's heard of. But Imelda Baldini, who provides the shelter for Air Lift Inc., dotes over Guerra in her home. The mother of four grown children, she giggles over her own fussiness. "My children are gone," explains Ms. Baldini, who serves her patients food in bed when they don't feel well. "I think about if I went to another country for surgery, I would want a parent there."

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