Those on their facelift journey are now at a crossroads. With everyone’s social feeds flooded with seemingly perfect results from international surgeons (Guadalajara facelift TikTok is just one of the many tempting reasons to book a trip to Mexico), many are asking themselves if they would go to another country for a procedure at half the cost and possibly better results.
Medical tourism only continues to rise. According to a report done by Fortune Business Insights, the global medical tourism market is projected to grow from its current worth of $38.2 billion to $162.8 billion by 2032. Studies show that cosmetic and dental surgeries in countries such as Mexico, Thailand, and Hungary cost a fraction (anywhere from 25% to 50% to be exact) of what those same procedures might cost here in the US. But patients aren’t letting costs be the only factor driving their decisions to seek help outside the States. They’re letting incredible results pique their interests as well. “Clients today are far more educated and outcome-focused,” Melinda Farina, founder of Beauty Brokers Inc., tells Vogue. “They’ve seen global results, and they’re asking for specific surgeons, not just destinations.”
Farina, whose consulting firm connects patients with its network of plastic surgeons, says that top international destinations for her clients include Turkey, Italy, Brazil, and Colombia. She explains that the quality of surgical work in the US can sometimes be disproportionate to the inflated prices of these surgeries, while surgeons abroad are delivering more nuanced and sophisticated results. “What people don’t realize is that these international surgeons aren’t operating in ‘discount’ markets; many are setting new standards in technique and outcome,” she says. “Some of the most sophisticated work in facial and body aesthetics is happening outside the US, and our clients know it.”
The impulsive answer would be, “Hell yes, let’s go abroad for a facelift.” But after the initial high wears off and you get down to the logistics, you’ll realize that you have the extra homework of researching if a surgeon in another country is the right fit. This is where a plastic surgery broker may come in handy.
How does hiring a plastic surgery broker work?
According to Joshua Rosenberg, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Mount Sinai, there are a few different kinds of plastic surgery brokers. You can turn to commercial platforms that charge patients for access to their network of vetted surgeons. There are brokers who are employed by health systems or embassies that assist patients with medical care abroad. Then there are the private plastic surgery brokers that typically work on a fee basis, charging patients and/or plastic surgeons for their services as a middleman.
Dr. Rosenberg is also part of Persana, a commercial platform that connects vetted board-certified physicians with patients looking for a specific aesthetic treatment. Signing up for an account is free. But once you fill out a questionnaire about your wants and needs, initial video consultations with recommended physicians start at $300 (if you opt for the instant message route for your consultation, that too is free) to help you find the right medical professional.
While Persana handles US clientele and physicians, Beauty Brokers Inc. is a global network. Farina enlists a board of advisors made up of 28 plastic surgeons (some still practicing, and others retired) to vet practitioners for her clients to choose from. While she can’t disclose the exact details of the vetting process, she says the team conducts very strict and thorough audits of surgeons they want to consider before approaching those physicians about joining the Beauty Broker Inc. network. “Our international collaborations are curated quietly and privately, often through many years of close observation, industry referrals, and firsthand exposure to surgical outcomes,” she says. “While the US aesthetic landscape is more regulated, our approach abroad is even more meticulous given the complexity of cross-border care.”
Consultations with Farina’s senior consultants start at $450, where they get to know the patient, talking through their medical history and what they’re looking for in treatments. Patients will then be offered surgeon recommendations from the team, with the opportunity to meet and speak with their recommended surgeons before making a final decision. From there, Farina and her team will help facilitate treatment plan coordination, recovery oversight, and more.
The Downsides
Going abroad for any surgery, let alone a facelift, comes with major risks—an important reminder after a long stroll on social media. Alexis Parcells, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Parcells Plastic Surgery, explains that the aftercare is crucial for best results and warns that pre- and post-surgery treatment may be limited if there are language barriers and no easy access to see your surgeon for check-ups. There is also no legal protection if complications occur, so if you go through a surgery gone wrong that needs revision, it will add unexpected costs and put your health at even more risk.
“Every year, I see patients who have had surgery abroad that did not meet any reasonable standard of care,” Dr. Rosenberg adds. “This includes numerous patients who have had facial nerve injuries and have permanently paralyzed and disfigured faces after facelifts. These are not one-offs or anecdotes. There are a number of studies that have documented significantly higher rates of complications from plastic surgery abroad.”
A lot of brokers are also not doctors, which he says can hinder their ability to really understand your needs and create a safe environment for you when recommending a surgeon abroad. “It is very difficult for laypeople [and] even well-educated ones to fully understand the complexity of even straightforward surgical procedures,” he says. “Details matter.”
He adds that you’ll want to be wary of private plastic surgery brokers, as the financial incentives may take precedence over your needs as a patient. “Look at how regulated the financial industry is, yet financial services brokers (and even big banks) are always getting in trouble for not working in their clients’ interest. There is no regulation for plastic surgery brokers in the US or abroad,” he says. “Many plastic surgeons pay brokers, so they’re financially incentivized to steer patients toward specific providers,” Dr. Parcells adds. “Regardless of fit.”
With companies like Beauty Broker Inc. and Persana, fees are only charged to the patients, which experts believe is a more transparent approach that better benefits the client’s needs. “We do not, under any circumstances, accept money from surgeons, clinics, or vendors,” Farina says. “No kickbacks. No commissions. Ever.”
Experts urge you to do your own research—especially if you go the broker route for a surgeon abroad. Research the broker and the company you are enlisting for help, but also do your own vetting for the surgeons they recommend. Dr. Parcells recommends looking into the surgeon’s board certification, experience in the procedure you’re considering, complication rate, and what kind of follow-up care they can provide. But most importantly, she says you should follow and trust your gut. “If something feels off, walk away,” she says.
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