Cosmetic Surgery in Brazil

The situation

Brazil has long been at the centre of a thriving cosmetic surgery industry. The South American country boasts the second largest number of registered cosmetic surgeons (after the United States) anywhere in the world in an industry that was estimated to have generated upwards of £5.5 billion in 2005 alone.

Unsurprisingly, then, Brazil is one of the hottest global centres of cosmetic tourism with an increasing number of international clients descending on surgical hotspots such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife (nicknamed the plastic surgery capital of the world), and the less well-known Fortaleza in the north east of the country, each year. As befits the country’s outdoors reputation Brazil is particularly renowned for ‘beach ready’ procedures that target the buttocks and abdomen, including liposuction, tummy tucks and breast augmentation.

The demand

A good exchange rate and high local demand mean that costs compare very favourably with the UK, with procedures costing on average half to two-thirds that of those undertaken at home. A face lift, for example, that costs between £4,000 and £6,000 in the UK comes in at around £2,000 in Brazil, while breast augmentation - a very popular procedure in the country - costs around £2,500, a saving of between £1,000-£3,000 for the same surgery in Britain. Even factoring in the relatively high cost of air travel from around £500 return from London) and overheads for accommodation, there are savings to be had.

One of the selling points of cosmetic tourism to Brazil is the chance to combine treatment with a beach holiday. There are a number of UK-based companies that offer everything from ‘surgery and snorkelling’ breaks to horse-riding holidays. It’s an alluring proposition but it’s wise to remember that following major surgery clients are likely to need rest rather than stimulation. Physical activity can increase the risk of opening wounds and catching infections so always err on the side of caution.

How to stay safe

Always opt for a clinic that offers a length of stay suitable to the surgery being undertaken (as opposed to day or overnight clinics that send you straight to a hotel following treatment) and be clear about the level of aftercare to expect before you travel. Ask to see examples of similar procedures carried out by a particular doctor, along with client recommendations, and be sure all pre- and post-surgical consultations will be in English.

Medical standards in Brazil are generally high but always follow the same procedures that you would anywhere else. Ensure a clinic is registered with the Federal and State Medical Councils of Brazil (the CFM and CRM) and that individual surgeons are registered with the SBCP (Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgeons) and, ideally, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS).

Cosmetic tourists to Brazil have no state-sponsored follow-up to problems resulting from surgery in private clinics. Foreign patients will be a long way from home and mistakes can prove to be both emotionally and financially costly. Be very clear about informing travel insurers of the reason for your visit so that you’re covered should any problems arise.