“I tell them that they will probably save a lot of money.”
That is Dr. Frank Agullo’s first answer when an El Paso patient asks about having the same surgery in Juarez. He went to medical school in Mexico City and he operates on the border, so the question reaches him every week, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s survey of 2025 procedures shows why. Mexico is eighth in the world by volume but third in abdominoplasty, fourth in breast lift and fifth in liposuction and breast augmentation. A third of its aesthetic patients, 33.3 percent on average, come from abroad, and the United States is the number one origin.
| Mexico, 2025 (ISAPS) | |
|---|---|
| Total aesthetic procedures | 1,469,794 (number 8 worldwide) |
| World rank, abdominoplasty | 3 |
| World rank, breast lift | 4 |
| Patients from abroad, average | 33.3 percent, US first |
| Procedures done in a hospital | 49.6 percent (US: 37.9 percent) |
Source: ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2025.
His Advice, in Full
“They should make certain that they are having their procedure in a certified surgery center or hospital. They should also understand that they will have to be crossing the border for continued care and possible complications. There are plenty of great doctors and plastic surgeons in Mexico. Most of the well-experienced and highly regarded plastic surgeons will probably have similar surgeon’s fees. Where the patient will save is in the facility and anesthesia fees, the aftercare supplies, and nursing care. I always say that if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. I also remind them that revision work is far more expensive than having the surgery done correctly the first time.”
Follow-Up Is the Hidden Line Item
Dr. Agullo has been answering this question online for more than a decade. In 2013: “One of the downsides of medical tourism is not having your doctor available during recovery and post-surgical complications.”
In 2015, to a patient planning to travel for a tummy tuck: “If you decide to travel a significant distance for a tummy tuck, I would recommend you make plans to stay close to your surgeon for 2-4 weeks. This time will allow for drain removal and adequate follow up before you travel. Some plastic surgeons will agree to manage your postoperative care for a fee.”
The Surgery He Would Not Shop on Price
“If there is one surgery you should take absolutely no risks with, it’s implant buttock augmentation. There are many excellent and experienced doctors in Mexico, but if you choose the right one, you will find that the cost is the same as that of an experienced surgeon in the United States. You must find a surgeon experienced enough to do the intramuscular approach. Any complication will void any possible savings.”
The full post, with the setting data and the border follow-up plan, is on the Agullo Plastic Surgery site. Southwest Plastic Surgery’s own out-of-town process, from the day-before arrival to the flight home, is in the Travel Bulletin post.
Why Dr. Agullo
Dr. Agullo is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, completed his plastic surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, and serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year from 2014 through 2026. He earned his medical degree at Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City.
Schedule a Consultation
To compare a quote, call Southwest Plastic Surgery at (915) 590-7900, text 1-866-814-0038, or book a consultation at agulloplasticsurgery.com/appointments. Pricing is on the fees page. #StayBeautiful
Find Dr. Agullo at @RealDrWorldWide on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, @Agullo on X, or @AgulloPlasticSurgery on Facebook.
