The Ultimate Guide to Rhinoplasty in Costa Rica

Last fact-checked: 25 September 2020

Undergoing rhinoplasty surgery in Costa Rica can be a more cost-effective way to correct a misshapen nose, alter its size or shape for aesthetic purposes or address certain medical issues, such as an obstructed airway or deviated septum.

This procedure, which is also simply referred to as a nose job, may be used to correct humps, bumps, or depressions in the bridge of the nose and is appropriate for both men and women who are in good overall health.

Find out how you can receive inexpensively nose job surgery in Costa Rica with this Medical Departures guide.  

Why Have Rhinoplasty in Costa Rica?

In recent years, Costa Rica has emerged as a popular destination for all types of medical procedures thanks to the expertise on offer coupled with affordable prices—not to mention the opportunity patients have to explore this stunning part of the world. 

Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica offers a diverse array of attractions for all tastes. During your visit, you can take advantage of the chance to do everything from explore the rainforest to relax on a pristine beach. You will also find Costa Rican people, known as Ticos, to be warm and welcoming.

Medical Tourism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to some exceptional private healthcare facilities and highly-qualified physicians, many of whom are board-certified with affiliations with organizations such as The Rhinoplasty Society.

That said, narrowing down the search when you are on a different continent and don't speak the language can be difficult—which is where Medical Departures can help.

Our vetting process includes not only confirming qualifications and professional memberships but also performing legal and criminal checks. We never include a facility on our list unless we have visited it in person. Our background check also includes real patient interviews for your complete peace of mind. When you see a facility included on our list, you can rest assured we have thoroughly researched that clinic.

How Long Does Rhinoplasty Take and What Is the Recovery Like?

As part of your rhinoplasty procedure, you will have a consultation with your surgeon to determine your goals. This consultation may include a complete medical history as well as an examination. You will also discuss with your physician the technique that will be used, such as an open or closed method. With the closed method, incisions will be hidden inside the nose.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and takes between one and two hours to complete. Your surgeon will begin by making incisions and lifting the skin covering the bridge of the nose. Depending on the goals of the procedure, it may be necessary for your doctor to use cartilage grafts or even remove cartilage or bone. If you have a deviated septum, your surgeon may also need to straighten projections inside the nose. At the conclusion of the procedure, the incisions will be closed and the skin redraped.

Regarding your post-surgery recovery, it is worth noting that:

• You should be able to be up and about the day after your procedure but will need to limit your activities for several days, particularly rigorous activities, as directed by your physician.
• It is common to have packaging and a splint when you awaken from rhinoplasty. This helps to provide support to your newly shaped nose.
• You should also expect to experience some swelling following your procedure (which is usually most common in the mornings) and you may also experience some congestion.
• Results will gradually become more noticeable over the next few months to a year.
• You may also experience some pain after your procedure, which can be alleviated with oral pain medication. Bruising is also common following rhinoplasty and may last for up to one week.
• Patients can usually return to work within a week of their surgery.

What Is the Cost of Rhinoplasty in Costa Rica Compared to the U.S. and Canada?

The average cost of rhinoplasty 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 with our listed clinics for up-to-date pricing]. 

To get started, take a look at the excellent Clinica Unibe which offers rhinoplasty surgery in the capital of San Jose. 

What's Next?

See below for more information on how simple it is to book a procedure, or talk to our Customer Care Team for more details regarding rhinoplasty in Costa Rica. 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:

Cosmetic Surgery for the Nose. WebMD. Website accessed: 25 September 2020. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-nose-job-rhinoplasty

The Rhinoplasty Society. Website accessed: 25 September 2020. https://www.rhinoplastysociety.org/

Visit Costa Rica. Website accessed: 20 August 2020. https://www.visitcostarica.com/en

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