Last fact-checked: 5 December 2020

Men and women who are dissatisfied with the way their nose looks or who have suffered an injury may benefit from surgery, and a nose job in Costa Rica can shave thousands off this normally expensive procedure. 

Keep reading to discover our quality-checked clinics in this exotic Central American country and book with Medical Departures to lock in the best price online.

Also known as rhinoplasty, a nose job can help to correct breathing problems, as well as improve facial balance and improve your confidence in your looks. The procedure is not normally covered by insurance or healthcare, which is why it can make sense to head abroad, to Costa Rica for example, where it costs up to 70% less than in the US or Canada.

A common reason for seeking a nose job is to correct visible bumps or depressions along the bridge of the nose. It can also correct hooks, droops and other irregularities, or change the size of the nose.

While cosmetic reasons are common for seeking rhinoplasty, this procedure can also be an effective way to correct an obstructed airway that can make breathing difficult,  cause snoring or otherwise present a health hazard. Although both men and women can benefit from a nose job, do note that you should be in good overall health in order to have this procedure performed.

Traveling to Costa Rica for a nose job can present a number of benefits, especially the opportunity to relax or recuperate in a tropical paradise. Most patients also find that costs for medical procedures are far less in Costa Rica than in many other parts of the world, including the United States. 

The standard of care in Costa Rica is also quite high, as the country is home to many exceptional hospitals staffed by English-speaking doctors who are likely to have the same international professional affiliations as surgeons at home.

Prior to your nose job procedure, you may wish to take advantage of the opportunity to explore some of Costa Rica’s finest attractions and UNESCO Heritage Sites, such as Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, or the country's many spectacular beaches.

In the process of planning a trip to Costa Rica for a nose job, you should take the time to research facilities and choose one with a well-established reputation. Medical Departures can help to make the process easier as we are completely committed to your comfort and peace of mind. 

Our research includes verifying qualifications and professional memberships; performing criminal and legal background checks and conducting onsite visits. To ensure we have a good sense of what you can expect, we obtain and publish authenticated patient reviews as well as high-definition before-and-after photos which you can find on each of our clinic listing pages. 

Before your nose job, you will meet with your surgeon to discuss your goals from the procedure. A rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on your goals, one of two techniques may be used; either a closed technique (in which incisions are hidden inside your nose) or an open technique. 

After making incisions, the surgeon will lift the skin covering the nasal bones and cartilage gently, allowing them to reshape the structure of your nose as necessary to achieve desired goals. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove bone or cartilage. Cartilage grafts are sometimes used to achieve desired goals. 

In cases in which the patient suffers from a deviated septum, the surgeon may need to straighten structures inside the nose to allow for easier breathing. After all necessary corrections have been made, the skin will be redraped and incisions closed. Most nose jobs take about an hour or two to complete.

When you awaken from your procedure, you should expect to have a splint and packing to provide support. Swelling is common following a nose job but should subside within a few weeks. Patients are typically able to see the full results of a nose job within one year.

Since this procedure is usually carried out in an outpatient clinic, you may be released on the same day. Pain medication may be prescribed to help with any discomfort you feel. Keep in mind that bruising is common during the first week. You may also notice some congestion and swelling in the mornings, which is completely normal.

The average cost of a nose job in Costa Rica is $2,900 (EUR €2,634, AUD $3,898, GBP £2,037) compared to $8,800 (EUR € 7,889, AUD $ 12,307, GBP £6,101) in the United States.

[Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing. You can check the clinics pages on our site to obtain the latest, most accurate pricing.]

To book, the Medical Departures Customer Care Team is available around the clock and able to answer any questions you might have. Or if you are ready to book your appointment you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

The Rhinoplasty Society. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.rhinoplastysociety.org/ 

Costa Rica. UNESCO. 2019. http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cr 

Cosmetic Surgery for the Nose. WebMD. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-nose-job-rhinoplasty 

Rhinoplasty. Mayo Clinic. Website accessed: 5 December 2020.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532 

Image by: Victor Quiros A, licensed under Creative Commons