Last fact-checked: 14 October 2020

A breast enlargement in Costa Rica can help women not only increase their cup size but also their self-confidence - all while enjoying the stunning natural beauty of this Latin American country.

And the best part? You can save thousands compared to prices back home when booking at one of our verified breast augmentation specialists here. 

A breast enlargement, often referred to as breast augmentation, involves having implants inserted under the breasts, thus expanding the size of the bust line, as well as offering an improved body contour.

Suitable candidates include:

• Women who feel their breasts are too small
• Those who have undergone a mastectomy for breast cancer
• Women who have one breast that is larger than the other.
• Those undergoing gender confirmation treatment
• You should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations to be a good candidate for this procedure.

With three Joint Commission International-accredited hospitals, Costa Rica has become renowned for its private healthcare services that welcome international patients from across the world. Particularly, Americans are able to quickly reach Costa Rica via a short flight from most major US cities.

Over the last few years, an increasing number of medical tourists have opted to travel to Costa Rica to take advantage of lower healthcare costs, English-speaking doctors with impeccable credentials, and the country's spectacular natural beauty and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Whether taking a zipline canopy tour over the lush rainforest, taking a relaxing stroll along one of the pristine beaches, or admiring one of the country's breathtaking waterfalls, Costa Rica offers plenty of attractions for medical travelers to enjoy before or after their procedure.

In planning to have breast enlargement performed in Costa Rica, prospective patients should take the time to ensure they select a clinic and surgeon with a good reputation and solid credentials.

Medical Departures is here to help you with this whole process. In our listings, you will only find clinics that have undergone our stringent background check. Our vetting process includes verifying credentials and professional memberships as well as performing civil and criminal checks. While credentials are important, we also want to know what other patients have to say, so we perform real patient interviews.

Take a look at the quality on offer in Costa Rica with these three clinics for breast enlargements (implants):

• Miguel Alfaro Davila (San Jose)
• Gustavo Chavarria (San Jose)

A breast enlargement procedure typically begins with a consultation with your surgeon. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your goals, including your desired breast size.

The procedure itself generally lasts between one and two hours and is performed under general anesthesia. The general steps are summarized below:

• Your surgeon will make several incisions in the breast area, including under the breast, near the areola, and in the armpit.
• It may also be necessary for an incision to be made in the navel to accommodate an endoscope to help guide the surgeon.
• Next, a pocket will be created for the placement of the implants.
• At the conclusion of the procedure, your incisions will be closed and bandages applied.
• When you awaken from your procedure, you may experience some discomfort and will be given pain medication to help manage your pain.
• You should also expect drain tubes to be present to help alleviate the swelling.

Regarding your recovery, it should be noted that:

• Patients also typically experience some swelling and bruising, which should subside within a few months.
• After the swelling has diminished, you should be able to see the final results of your breast enlargement within six months.
• Patients are generally advised to avoid any strenuous activities for several weeks after their procedure.
• After the drain tubes are removed, which usually takes place within 48 hours, patients can shower.
• You may also be advised to wear a support bra for up to two weeks after your procedure.
• Depending on the nature of your occupation, you should be able to return to work within a few days.

The average cost of a breast enlargement procedure in Costa Rica is approximately $3,200 (EUR €2,927, GBP £2,306, AUD $4,490) compared to $11,500 (GBP £7,929 AUD $16,276, EUR €10,305) in the United States.

Please note: these are approximate figures calculated at the time of writing. Check our clinic listing pages to compare updated prices for breast enlargements in Costa Rica.

Find out more about our thoroughly vetted, quality checked medical clinics.

Browse through our clinics, find a surgeon, and once ready, book your free appointment through our site to secure the best prices for your treatment. For any questions, simply reach out to our Customer Care Team on the toll-free number provided. 

Sources:

Joint Commission International. Website accessed: 14 October 2020. https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

UNESCO. Website accessed: 14 October 2020. http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cr

Brazier, Yvette. What you need to know about breast augmentation. Medical News Today. 3 April 2017.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263567.php

Newman, Tim. Endoscopy: What to know. Medical News Today. 18 December 2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737

Image by: Victor Quiros A, licensed under Creative Commons