35.9%
Patients from abroad
90%
Of those are American
23,323
International patients 2024
#1
Global surgery tourism
When Americans think about medical tourism, they often picture it as a fringe activity—something a small number of adventurous people do. The reality is dramatically different. Colombia is the world leader in plastic surgery tourism, and 90% of the international patients who come are from the United States.
You're not a pioneer. You're joining a well-established flow of Americans who've already figured this out.
The Numbers Are Staggering
According to ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) data, Colombia has the highest percentage of international patients of any country in the world for plastic surgery: 35.9% of all plastic surgery patients are from abroad.
Of those international patients, approximately 90% come from the United States. The rest come primarily from Canada, Caribbean nations (Aruba, Curaçao), Panama, and Europe.
2024 Medellín Statistics
- • 23,323 international medical patients—record-breaking year
- • Averages 64 international patients per day
- • 14% annual growth since 2010
- • 22.9% year-over-year increase in 2024
Why Americans Specifically
The American dominance isn't random. Several factors create a perfect storm:
1. US Healthcare Costs Are Outliers
American plastic surgery prices are 2-5x higher than anywhere else in the developed world. A mommy makeover costing $25,000+ in the US costs $10,000-$12,000 in Medellín. That gap doesn't exist between, say, Germany and Colombia.
2. Geographic Proximity
Colombia is 3.5 hours from Miami, 5.5 hours from New York. For Europeans or Asians, the flight is 10-15 hours. The math works differently.
3. Same Time Zone
No jet lag. Virtual consultations happen during normal business hours. Post-op follow-up calls don't require waking up at 3am.
4. No Visa Required
Americans get 90 days visa-free entry. No application, no fee, no wait. You book a flight and go.
5. Infrastructure Built for Americans
Recovery houses, bilingual staff, American-style customer service—the entire ecosystem evolved to serve US patients specifically.
The Money Behind It
Colombia's medical tourism industry generated approximately $235 million USD in 2024, with projections reaching $287 million by 2027. Medellín alone accounts for roughly $26 million in economic impact when combining medical services, accommodation, transportation, and local spending.
This isn't a cottage industry. It's a significant economic sector that Colombia actively promotes through ProColombia (their trade and tourism agency) and supports with regulatory infrastructure.
What This Means for You
The Practical Implications
- ✓ You're not an experiment. Surgeons see American patients daily. They understand American expectations.
- ✓ English is standard. Clinics, recovery houses, and patient coordinators speak fluent English.
- ✓ Systems are proven. From airport pickup to post-op care, the logistics have been refined over decades.
- ✓ Reviews are available. Thousands of American patients have left feedback you can research.
- ✓ Payment is easy. US credit cards work. USD is widely accepted. No currency complications.
The Average American Patient
Colombian surgeons report the average medical tourism patient combines 2.7 procedures—taking advantage of shared anesthesia and facility fees. The most common combinations:
- BBL + Liposuction 360 (the "Colombian special")
- Mommy Makeover (tummy tuck + breast work + lipo)
- Breast augmentation + lift
- Facelift + neck lift + fat transfer
American patients typically stay 10-21 days depending on procedure complexity, spending $8,000-$15,000 total including surgery, flights, accommodation, and recovery care—versus $20,000-$40,000+ for the same work in the US.
The Bottom Line
You're not doing something weird or risky by considering Colombia. You're joining the 20,000+ Americans who come to Medellín every year for plastic surgery—a number that grows 15-20% annually.
The question isn't whether Americans go to Colombia for surgery. They clearly do, in massive numbers. The question is whether it's right for you—and that depends on your procedures, your surgeon selection, and your willingness to travel.