Last fact-checked: 14 October 2020

For women who are concerned about the size of their breasts, a breast enlargement in San Jose, Costa Rica can help to improve their self-image for thousands less than back home.

Medical Departures has partnered with a number of quality medical facilities here, with patients able to book, go for a vacation to this colorful Latin American country and then recuperate after surgery in and around the comfort of a luxurious hotel. 

See how you can do it with Medical Departures.

Also known as a breast augmentation, a breast enlargement is designed to increase the size of a woman's bust with the use of implants. In addition to an expanded bust line, this procedure can also give a woman an improved body contour.

(Note: Fat grafting can also be used instead of implants for those wanting to only go up one cup size and willing to undergo liposuction on another area of the body).

Good candidates for breast enlargement are:

• Women who have undergone a mastectomy
• Those who feel self-conscious about the size and/or shape of their breasts
• Women whose breasts are asymmetrical, in which one breast is disproportionately larger than the other breast
• Those undergoing gender confirmation treatment.
• Prospective patients should have realistic expectations and be in good overall health.

Recognized as having one of the largest concentrations of biodiversity in the world, Costa Rica is a haven for travelers looking for a tropical getaway. The capital of San Jose offers a wealth of attractions and sights. Bus tours throughout the city make it easy to sample the city's culture, including its rich history, architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Home to three Joint Commission International-accredited hospitals, this Latin American country has also developed a reputation for its superior healthcare. Add in the fact that procedures such as breast enlargements are often much less expensive than in other parts of the world and it is easy to see why so many people are choosing to combine a little R&R with their medical procedures by traveling to Costa Rica.

When planning to travel to San Jose for a breast enlargement, it's a good idea to do some research ahead of time and take care in selecting your physician and clinic.

We are here to help at Medical Departures by providing a list of quality-checked doctors and clinics. Only those facilities and doctors that have passed our exhaustive background check appear on our list. This process involves confirming professional memberships and qualifications as well as conducting a legal and criminal background check. Additionally, we visit the facilities and interview patients who have actually used that clinic before including it on our list.

Get started by taking a look at these top facilities in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose, for breast enlargement surgery:

• Gustavo Chavarria
• Pablo Solis
• Arnoldo Fournier

Prior to having a breast enlargement performed, patients typically meet with their surgeon to discuss their goals. This consultation will include a conversation regarding your desired breast size.

To minimize your discomfort, the procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. You should expect it to take up to two hours.

The main steps of the procedure are summarized as follows:

• Several incisions will be made in the breast area; these may be in the armpits, around the areolas, or under the breasts.
• Depending on the nature of the procedure and your surgeon, an incision may also be made in the navel. This is done to allow the surgeon to insert an endoscope, which will help in guiding the placement of your implants.
• A pocket will be created in the breast tissue and the implants inserted into the pocket.
• Your incisions will be closed to complete the procedure and you should expect your breasts to be bandaged when you wake up.

Regarding your post-surgery recovery, it should be noted that:

• Some pain and discomfort is common following a breast enlargement. You will likely be prescribed pain medication to assist in managing your discomfort.
• Drain tubes will also likely be inserted into the breasts to relieve swelling; these are usually removed within a day or two of the procedure.
• Some bruising and swelling may remain for up to several months following your breast enlargement.
• Most patients are able to see full results from their breast enlargement within six months of the procedure.
• Your doctor will likely advise you to avoid strenuous activities for at least several weeks after your breast enlargement.
• Patients typically need to wear a support bra for a couple of weeks and can usually return to work within a week or so following their procedure, depending on the nature of their occupation.

The average cost of a breast enlargement procedure in San Jose is roughly $3,200 (EUR €2,927, GBP £2,306, AUD $4,490).

This is compared to $11,500 (GBP £7,929 AUD $16,276, EUR €10,305) in the United States.

Note: These are averages at the time of writing. Please check our individual clinic listings to compare the latest prices for breast enlargements in San Jose.

Learn more about our quality-checked medical facilities in San Jose that offer this surgery to international patients. 

See below for more information on how fast and easy it is or get in touch with us. Our Customer Care Team can be reached, for free, 24 hours a day and will be happy to answer any questions you have about breast enlargements in San Jose, Costa Rica.

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: Andy Rusch)