PLASTIC SURGERY IN COLOMBIA: A PROCEDURE PASSPORT GUIDE
Colombia is one of Latin America’s most recognized destinations for aesthetic surgery—especially for body contouring and proportion-focused results. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), plastic surgeons in Colombia performed an estimated 490,944 cosmetic procedures in 2024, including 321,408 surgical procedures and 169,536 nonsurgical procedures. (ISAPS)
COLOMBIA AT A GLANCE: WHAT’S MOST COMMON
Top 5 surgical procedures in Colombia (2024, ISAPS):
What this tells us: Colombia’s highest-volume procedures skew toward body contouring + silhouette-enhancing surgery, with breast and facial procedures also ranking highly. (ISAPS)
Liposuction & Body Contouring
Liposuction is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in Colombia, frequently chosen to refine areas like the abdomen, waist, back, arms, or thighs—often as part of a wider “body contouring” plan. (ISAPS)
OVERVIEW & POPULAR PROCEDURES
Buttock Augmentation (BBL)
Buttock augmentation is among Colombia’s top procedures, reflecting the country’s strong reputation for curve-focused body aesthetics and proportional shaping.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation consistently ranks as one of the most common surgeries in Colombia, whether the goal is increased volume, reshaping, or symmetry.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty is a frequently requested procedure, commonly selected to tighten and reshape the midsection when diet and exercise alone can’t deliver the desired result.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery is one of Colombia’s most common facial procedures, often chosen for a refreshed look around the eyes. (ISAPS)
Annual medical travel volume
Officially reported counts can vary based on how “medical traveler” is defined (for example: people who declare health as their main entry purpose vs. “international patients treated” by clinics).
HOW MANY PEOPLE TRAVEL TO COLOMBIA FOR HEALTH & AESTHETIC CARE
- Migración Colombia–based reporting cited in Colombian press notes 21,525 international travelers/patients in 2024 arriving for health and medical attention (surpassing the pre-COVID figure of 21,371 in 2019). (ELHERALDO.CO)
- A broader industry-style estimate from BBVA Research reports that between 2017–2023 Colombia saw more than 50,000 international health tourists annually, with US$250 million in revenue in 2023. (BBVA Research)
Where in Colombia do health travelers go?
A Colombian report citing MinCIT and ProColombia lists these 2024 city totals for health tourism:
Medellín
A report from the Medellín Chamber of Commerce states that Medellín received 20,837 international patients in 2023. The largest groups came from the United States (3,468), the Caribbean (2,554), and Panama (702), with additional patients from countries including Canada, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, among others. (camaramedellin.com.co)
International patient origin data is often reported at the city/cluster level:
Cali
A report citing Migration Colombia data (as of May 2024) lists Cali’s most common origin countries for health tourists as the United States, Netherlands, Panama, Ecuador, and Canada. (Diario La República)
Bogota
Most international patients traveling to Colombia for care come from nearby markets and major hubs—especially the United States, as well as parts of the Caribbean, Panama, and select countries in Europe. (camaramedellin.com.co)
Top clinics are typically modern private facilities designed for surgical safety, comfort, and continuity of care. Procedure Passport helps you verify key quality markers—like surgeon credentials, anesthesia support, and clear post-op planning—before you travel.
SURGEON CLINICS
- Clear pre-op requirements (labs, medical clearance if needed)
- Licensed surgical facility + anesthesia team
- Written post-op instructions and follow-up schedule
- A recovery plan that matches your procedure and travel timeline
Your safety plan should include:
SAFETY, REGULATIONS & CLINIC STANDARDS
Procedure Passport coordinates logistics around those standards—so your travel, surgery timing, and recovery days are built to support proper healing.
7-day example itinerary
RECOVERY & MEDICAL TOURISM LOGISTICS
Airport pickup, hotel check-in, gentle sightseeing (easy walking only), early dinner, and rest.
In-person surgeon consultation(s), pre-op appointment(s), finalize surgical plan, review instructions, and confirm post-op support.
Morning labs/pre-op testing (if scheduled), procedure day, then check into your recovery space with arranged transportation.
Rest day, short assisted walks as allowed, post-op check-in/visit if scheduled.
Recovery-focused day (hydration, nutrition, rest). Any follow-ups or supportive services happen only if cleared by your surgeon.
A 7-day itinerary is a simplified example. Many surgical procedures may require a longer stay (and surgeon clearance) before flying—especially after major body contouring—so timing should always be personalized.
Continue recovery and confirm travel readiness. Pack, confirm medications/instructions, and keep activity light.
Final follow-up (if scheduled) and depart with your written aftercare plan.
Costs vary based on procedure type, surgeon expertise, facility, anesthesia, and recovery needs. Procedure Passport provides transparent package options so you can compare what’s included—surgery fees, facility/anesthesia, pre-op testing, post-op follow-ups, lodging, and transportation.