Dr. David Guarin in Cali
His profile is particularly relevant for patients comparing breast, body and facial procedures. Ask which percentage of his current practice involves your exact operation rather than plastic surgery generally.
Finding a plastic surgeon in Colombia is not simply a matter of choosing the most impressive before-and-after gallery. You need to know whether the surgeon is legally registered, appropriately trained for your procedure and operating in a facility prepared to manage complications.
Current Colombia listing examples for selected breast and combined body procedures begin around $4,320 to $6,500, although your final price may be considerably different. Before paying a deposit, verify the surgeon through Colombia’s ReTHUS register, check the facility in REPS and ask whether the specialist appears in the SCCP directory.
Quick Summary:
- Current planning cost: Selected PlacidWay Colombia listings show examples from approximately $4,320 for breast reduction and $5,000–$6,500 for mommy makeover packages. These figures are not national averages or guaranteed quotes.
- Surgeon verification: Confirm the doctor’s medical and specialist registration in Colombia’s Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud, known as ReTHUS.
- Specialty check: Search the Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica Estética y Reconstructiva, or SCCP, directory. Membership is useful but does not replace government registration.
- Facility verification: Check the hospital, clinic and exact surgical service through the Registro Especial de Prestadores de Servicios de Salud, or REPS.
- Ideal candidate: You should be medically stable, have realistic expectations, understand scarring and recovery, and be able to remain in Colombia for follow-up.
- Typical recovery: Light daily activity may resume within days, but swelling and activity restrictions can continue for several weeks. Combined procedures usually require longer.
- Main caution: Do not select a surgeon on price alone. Confirm anesthesia arrangements, emergency transfer access, complication coverage and who will care for you after you return home.
Why International Patients Consider Plastic Surgery in Colombia?
International patients consider Colombia because it combines experienced plastic surgery practices, established urban healthcare facilities and access to procedures that can cost more at home. The latest published ISAPS country report estimated 490,944 aesthetic procedures in Colombia during 2024, including 321,408 surgical and 169,536 nonsurgical procedures.
That procedural volume does not prove that every clinic or surgeon provides the same standard of care. It does show why cities such as Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla have developed established pathways for body contouring, breast surgery, facial procedures and postoperative care.
- Patients can compare surgeons who focus on breast, body, facial or reconstructive procedures.
- English-speaking coordinators are available at some practices, although you should confirm clinical interpretation services.
- Colombia is comparatively accessible from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America.
- Some providers combine surgery, accommodation, ground transport and postoperative support.
- Patients may find lower total quotations than in the United States, particularly for combined procedures.
- National systems allow patients to check professional registration and facility habilitation before traveling.
Patient takeaway: Colombia may offer more choices and different pricing, but distance makes aftercare planning especially important. Your decision should begin with credentials and clinical suitability, not a package price.
Global Demand for Procedures Commonly Performed in Colombia
The line graph below uses the latest ISAPS report to show worldwide volumes for liposuction, breast augmentation and eyelid surgery in 2020, 2023 and 2024. These are global figures rather than Colombia-only trends, but they provide context for procedures frequently offered by Colombian plastic surgeons.
Source: ISAPS 2024 Global Survey, released in 2025. Values are worldwide estimates and should not be interpreted as Colombian patient outcomes.
Best Plastic Surgeons in Colombia: A Guide
The following four profiles are the plastic surgeons currently identified for this Colombia location. Information summarizes the doctors’ PlacidWay profiles and should be confirmed through the surgeon, ReTHUS, SCCP and the operating facility before treatment.
| Plastic surgeon | Location | Profile-reported focus | Profile-reported background | What you should verify? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Guarin | Cali | Tummy tuck, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift and reconstructive surgery | Medical degree from Universidad Nacional de Colombia; plastic surgery specialization at Universidad del Valle; profile reports SCCP and ASPS membership | Current ReTHUS specialty, SCCP listing, facility name, anesthesiologist and procedure-specific case volume |
| Dr. Alvaro Uribe | Barranquilla | Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast and body procedures | Profile reports more than eight years of clinical practice and experience at several institutions in Cúcuta and Barranquilla | Exact specialist qualification, ReTHUS status, current hospital privileges and emergency-care arrangements |
| Dr. Daniel Correa Posada | Medellín | Body contouring, breast surgery, facial surgery and reconstructive procedures | Profile reports more than 20 years of experience and specialist training in aesthetic plastic surgery and reconstructive-focused general surgery | How the reported specialist titles appear in ReTHUS, the clinic’s REPS status and who manages overnight or emergency care |
| Dra. Libia Hincapie | Medellín | Facial rejuvenation, body contouring, breast surgery, reconstructive care and biopolymer-removal procedures | Profile reports practice since 2003 and training in Colombia, Spain and Belgium | ReTHUS registration, recognition of international training, operating-facility habilitation and complication-management plan |
Dr. Alvaro Uribe in Barranquilla
His profile emphasizes aesthetic and reconstructive clinical practice. International patients should request the current surgical location because past institutional affiliations may not represent present privileges.
Dr. Daniel Correa Posada in Medellín
His profile covers a wide range of body, breast and facial procedures. For branded or surgeon-specific techniques, ask what evidence supports the technique and whether another qualified surgeon can manage an emergency.
Dra. Libia Hincapie in Medellín
Her profile includes international training and reconstructive work. Patients considering biopolymer removal should request imaging requirements, staged-treatment possibilities and realistic limits on tissue restoration.
Plastic Surgery Procedures Offered in Colombia
Colombian plastic surgeons offer facial, breast, body-contouring and reconstructive procedures, but the right operation depends on your anatomy, medical history and goals. A surgeon who performs many tummy tucks may not have the same expertise in complex rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation or reconstructive breast surgery.
| Procedure | What it changes? | Common candidate concern | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liposuction | Removes localized fat through small cannulas | Fat that remains despite stable weight and exercise | It is not a weight-loss treatment and may not tighten loose skin |
| Abdominoplasty | Removes excess abdominal skin and may repair separated muscles | Loose skin after pregnancy or significant weight loss | Creates a permanent scar and requires a longer recovery than liposuction |
| Breast augmentation | Adds volume with implants or, in selected cases, fat transfer | Small volume, asymmetry or volume loss | Implants are not lifetime devices and may require future monitoring or revision |
| Breast lift or reduction | Reshapes breast tissue and removes excess skin or volume | Sagging, discomfort, asymmetry or heavy breasts | Scarring, sensation changes and possible effects on breastfeeding must be discussed |
| Rhinoplasty | Reshapes nasal bone, cartilage and soft tissue | Nasal proportions, asymmetry or selected breathing problems | Final refinement can take many months and revision may occasionally be needed |
| Facelift and eyelid surgery | Repositions facial tissues or removes selected eyelid skin and fat | Facial laxity, jowls or heavy eyelids | Surgery cannot stop future aging or guarantee perfect symmetry |
| Gluteal fat grafting | Transfers purified fat to the buttock region | Volume and contour changes | This procedure requires strict safety protocols because fat embolism can be life-threatening |
Combined-surgery caution: A mommy makeover may include breast surgery, abdominal surgery and liposuction in one operation. Combining procedures can increase operative time, blood loss, mobility limitations and clot risk. Ask why combination surgery is appropriate for you and whether staging would be safer.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Colombia and the United States
Plastic surgery costs in Colombia vary by procedure, surgeon, city, facility, anesthesia, implants, surgical time and aftercare. Colombia does not publish a standardized national cosmetic-surgery price list, so a quotation should be treated as specific to one patient and one proposed surgical plan.
Current PlacidWay listing examples checked for this guide include breast reduction from approximately $4,320 and mommy makeover packages from approximately $5,000 in Bogotá and $6,500 in Barranquilla. These examples may involve different surgeons, inclusions and clinical requirements and are not necessarily quotations from the four doctors profiled above.
| Procedure | Colombia information currently available | 2024 US surgeon-fee range | Comparison warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast reduction | Selected listing example from $4,320 | $7,000–$12,500 | The US range represents surgeon fees, not the complete medical or travel bill |
| Mommy makeover | Selected package examples from $5,000–$6,500 | No single standardized fee because procedure combinations differ | Compare every included procedure, operating time and overnight-care arrangement |
| Liposuction | Personalized Colombia quote required | $4,300–$7,500 | Price changes with treated areas, fat volume, technology and combined surgery |
| Tummy tuck | Personalized Colombia quote required | $8,000–$13,500 | Confirm whether muscle repair, liposuction and overnight monitoring are included |
| Rhinoplasty | Personalized Colombia quote required | $7,500–$12,500 | Primary, functional and revision rhinoplasty should not be priced as identical procedures |
| Facelift | Personalized Colombia quote required | $12,000–$19,000 | Technique, neck work, anesthesia and facility costs can change the total substantially |
The US figures are projected surgeon-fee ranges from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They exclude anesthesia, facility and other expenses, so they cannot be compared directly with a Colombia package total.
Itemized Plastic Surgery Quote Checklist
| Cost component | What the written quote should specify? | Possible additional expense |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon’s fee | Every procedure and anatomical area | Extra area, revision or extended operating time |
| Anesthesia | Type of anesthesia and anesthesiologist’s fee | Longer operation or unexpected overnight monitoring |
| Surgical facility | Operating room, recovery room and hospitalization | Additional hospital nights or transfer |
| Medical devices | Implant brand, model, warranty and garment | Replacement garment or different implant selection |
| Preoperative care | Blood tests, imaging, ECG and consultations | Specialist clearance or repeat testing |
| Postoperative care | Follow-ups, dressings, drain care and nursing | Extended nursing, wound treatment or imaging |
| Travel logistics | Hotel, local transportation and companion needs | Flight changes or a longer recovery stay |
| Complication care | What is covered and for how long | Hospital readmission, revision or care after returning home |
How to Verify a Plastic Surgeon in Colombia?
You should verify a Colombian plastic surgeon through more than one source. Start with ReTHUS because it is the national health-workforce register used to confirm whether a professional has met the requirements to practise and to display reported disciplinary sanctions where applicable.
- Request the surgeon’s full legal name and identification details. Similar names can produce misleading search results.
- Search ReTHUS. Confirm that both the medical qualification and relevant specialist qualification are displayed.
- Search the SCCP directory. SCCP membership indicates that the doctor has met that professional society’s membership requirements, but it is not a government licence.
- Confirm the surgeon’s current operating privileges. Ask the hospital directly rather than relying only on the surgeon’s website or coordinator.
- Request procedure-specific experience. Ask how frequently the doctor performs your exact operation and manages revisions.
- Check who provides anesthesia. Obtain the anesthesiologist’s name, registration and qualifications before the operation.
Positive credential signals
- The surgeon willingly provides registration details.
- The specialist title appears in ReTHUS.
- The planned operation matches the surgeon’s training.
- The facility confirms active operating privileges.
- Risks and alternatives are explained without pressure.
Reasons to pause
- The coordinator will not provide a full legal name.
- The doctor uses only the title “cosmetic surgeon.”
- You are asked to pay before a medical assessment.
- The surgical facility changes shortly before travel.
- Questions about complications receive vague answers.
How to Choose a Licensed Clinic or Hospital in Colombia?
Your surgeon’s qualifications do not make an unsuitable operating facility safe. Confirm that the exact facility and the services required for your operation appear in Colombia’s REPS system, which records authorized health-service providers and their habilitated services.
Colombia also has a Sistema Único de Acreditación en Salud. Accreditation through the authorized national framework is an additional quality signal, but it is voluntary and should not be confused with mandatory REPS habilitation. A non-accredited clinic is not automatically unsafe, while accreditation does not eliminate surgical risk.
| Facility check | What to request? | Why it matters? |
|---|---|---|
| REPS registration | Legal name, location and habilitation code | Confirms that the provider and listed services are registered |
| Operating-room service | Confirmation that surgery and anesthesia services are habilitated | A consultation office registration does not necessarily cover surgery |
| Emergency capability | Resuscitation equipment, emergency team and transfer agreement | Serious bleeding, anesthesia problems and embolism require immediate care |
| Hospital access | Name and distance of the receiving hospital | “Hospital transfer available” is not useful without an established pathway |
| Overnight care | Nurse coverage, monitoring and doctor availability | A recovery house is not a replacement for licensed inpatient care |
| Infection control | Sterilization process and wound-care protocol | Reduces avoidable exposure to surgical-site infections |
| Optional accreditation | Current national accreditation status or relevant international accreditation | Shows additional external quality review but does not replace licensing |
Plastic Surgery Risks and Warning Signs in Colombia
Plastic surgery can cause complications even when an experienced surgeon operates in a properly equipped facility. Your personal risk depends on the procedure, operating time, age, weight, smoking history, medications, previous surgery and medical conditions.
| Possible complication | What it means? | Risk-reduction discussion | Urgent warning signs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bleeding or hematoma | Blood collects beneath the tissues | Medication review, blood-pressure control and monitoring | Rapid swelling, severe pain, dizziness or fainting |
| Infection | Bacteria infect the incision, implant or deeper tissue | Sterile facility, wound instructions and early review | Fever, spreading redness, pus or worsening pain |
| Seroma | Clear fluid accumulates under the skin | Drain plan, compression guidance and follow-up | Increasing fluid movement, swelling or wound leakage |
| Wound breakdown or skin necrosis | The incision opens or tissue loses blood supply | Smoking cessation, careful tension and blood-supply assessment | Darkening skin, open wound, foul odor or increasing drainage |
| DVT or pulmonary embolism | A blood clot forms and may travel to the lungs | Individual clot assessment, early movement and appropriate prevention | Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood or one-sided leg swelling |
| Contour or scar concerns | Irregularity, asymmetry, thick scars or dissatisfaction | Realistic planning, comparable cases and revision policy | Usually not an emergency unless accompanied by infection or tissue damage |
Gluteal fat-grafting safety: Ask whether the surgeon keeps fat above the gluteal fascia and uses real-time ultrasound to see the cannula during injection. Professional plastic-surgery organizations support ultrasound guidance as an important safety measure.
Seek emergency care immediately for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, a rapidly expanding swollen area or signs of stroke. Do not wait for an overseas coordinator to respond before contacting local emergency services.
Plastic Surgery Recovery and Travel Planning in Colombia
You should remain near your surgeon until the team confirms that you are medically stable to travel. Flying soon after surgery combines postoperative clot risk with prolonged sitting, so your departure date should be decided clinically rather than around the cheapest return ticket.
The CDC notes that surgery and air travel independently increase blood-clot risk and advises delaying air travel for approximately 10–14 days following many major operations. Your surgeon may recommend a longer stay after combined body surgery, complications or procedures involving limited mobility.
| Timeframe | Biological or clinical process | Patient sensation | Activity level | Action required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 24–48 hours | Inflammation begins; anesthesia effects resolve; bleeding risk is monitored | Soreness, tightness, fatigue, bruising or nausea | Assisted walking and basic self-care | Attend initial review and report unusual pain, swelling or breathing problems |
| Days 3–7 | Swelling and bruising may remain prominent; incisions begin early healing | Stiffness, pulling sensations and reduced energy | Frequent short walks; no strenuous activity | Follow wound, drain and garment instructions |
| Weeks 2–3 | Incisions strengthen but deeper tissues remain vulnerable | Improving comfort with residual swelling or numbness | Light routine depending on procedure | Obtain formal clearance before flying or returning to work |
| Weeks 4–6 | Scar remodeling begins and deeper swelling gradually decreases | Occasional tightness, sensitivity or firmness | Progressive activity only after approval | Continue scheduled remote or in-person follow-up |
| Months 3–12 | Scars mature and tissues settle toward the longer-term result | Intermittent numbness, firmness or minor asymmetry may continue | Most normal activities when cleared | Assess the result only after appropriate healing time |
Before returning home: Obtain your operative report, implant information, anesthesia record, test results, medication list, discharge summary, surgeon’s emergency contact and written instructions for the doctor who may manage you at home.
Plastic Surgery Patient Demographics and Medical Travel to Colombia
The latest ISAPS survey estimated that the median Colombian plastic-surgery practice received 20% of patients from other locations, while the average was 30%. The United States, Spain and Canada were the three most frequently cited origins for international patients attending Colombian practices. These figures describe surveyed practices, not border-entry records or guaranteed demand.
20%
Median share attending Colombian practices from other locations
30%
Average share attending from other locations
US · Spain · Canada
Most frequently cited international patient origins
Reliable Colombia-specific age and gender distributions were not provided in the same country table. The histogram below therefore uses worldwide rhinoplasty data from the 2024 ISAPS survey. It shows that 60.1% of reported rhinoplasties involved people aged 18–34, while 29% involved those aged 35–50. It should not be used to decide whether rhinoplasty is appropriate for you.
Histogram: Worldwide Rhinoplasty Patients by Age
Source: ISAPS 2024 Global Survey, released in 2025. Age data are worldwide and are not specific to Colombia or the surgeons profiled on this page.
Questions to Ask Plastic Surgeons in Colombia
A useful consultation should give you enough information to decline surgery as well as accept it. Ask each surgeon the same questions so that you can compare clinical recommendations rather than marketing presentations.
About the surgeon
- How does your specialty appear in ReTHUS?
- How often do you perform this exact procedure?
- What is your revision rate for similar patients?
- Who covers your patients when you are unavailable?
- Can the facility confirm your current privileges?
About your surgical plan
- Why is this procedure suitable for my anatomy?
- What safer or nonsurgical alternatives exist?
- How long will the operation take?
- Should combined procedures be staged?
- Where will scars be placed?
About safety
- Who will administer anesthesia?
- How is my blood-clot risk assessed?
- What happens if I need a transfusion?
- Which hospital accepts emergency transfers?
- Is 24-hour medical coverage available?
About aftercare and cost
- How many follow-up visits are included?
- When can I safely fly home?
- Who treats complications after I leave?
- What expenses are excluded from the quote?
- What does the written revision policy cover?
Decision rule: Do not proceed until you know the surgeon’s legal identity, exact facility, anesthesiologist, full surgical plan, emergency pathway, total expected payment and follow-up arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify that a plastic surgeon in Colombia is qualified?
Request the surgeon’s full legal name and check the ReTHUS register for medical and specialist qualifications. You can also search the SCCP directory and contact the operating facility to confirm current privileges. Do not rely only on social-media titles or a coordinator’s verbal assurance.
Are the surgeons listed on this page officially certified?
Their profiles report plastic-surgery training, experience or professional memberships, but you should verify each claim independently. A profile on a medical-travel platform is not a substitute for ReTHUS registration, specialist documentation, SCCP directory checks or confirmation from the hospital where surgery will occur.
How much does plastic surgery in Colombia cost?
Selected current listing examples range from about $4,320 for breast reduction to $5,000–$6,500 for mommy makeover packages. Your actual price depends on procedures, surgical time, anesthesia, facility care, medical devices, testing and recovery needs. Request an itemized written quotation before paying.
Which Colombian city is best for plastic surgery?
No city is automatically safest or best. Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla have established plastic-surgery providers, but your choice should depend on the surgeon’s procedure-specific experience, the facility’s REPS status, emergency resources, postoperative support and your ability to remain nearby during recovery.
How long should I stay in Colombia after plastic surgery?
The required stay varies by procedure and recovery. The CDC notes that delaying air travel for roughly 10–14 days after many major surgeries can reduce travel-related risks, but combined body procedures or complications may require longer. Follow your surgeon’s individualized clearance rather than a package itinerary.
Is it safe to have several plastic surgery procedures together?
Combined procedures may be appropriate for selected healthy patients, but they can increase operative time, blood loss, postoperative discomfort and mobility limitations. Ask the surgeon to explain why combining procedures is preferable to staged surgery and how your anesthesia and blood-clot risks will be managed.
What credentials should a Colombian plastic surgery clinic have?
The exact facility and surgical services should appear in Colombia’s REPS system. Ask for the provider’s legal name and habilitation code. National or international accreditation can offer additional reassurance, but accreditation is not a replacement for mandatory registration, qualified personnel and emergency preparedness.
What should be included in an all-inclusive plastic surgery package?
A transparent package should specify the surgeon, anesthesiologist, operating facility, procedures, implants, laboratory tests, hospital stay, garments, follow-ups, accommodation and transport. It should also explain exclusions, cancellation terms, complication costs, revision coverage and expenses that arise if you must remain in Colombia longer.
Can I recover in a hotel or recovery house after surgery?
A hotel or recovery house may provide accommodation and nonmedical assistance, but it should not replace licensed postoperative care. Confirm who monitors you, whether qualified nursing is available, how emergencies are recognized and which hospital will receive you if your condition requires medical treatment.
What happens if I develop a complication after returning home?
Contact the Colombian surgeon and seek local medical care without delay when symptoms are urgent. Before traveling, identify a clinician at home who can review your records. Ask whether the Colombian provider covers remote consultations, hospital treatment, revision surgery or the cost of returning for additional care.
What warning signs require emergency care after plastic surgery?
Seek emergency help for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, fainting, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly expanding swelling or one-sided leg swelling. Fever, worsening redness, pus, severe pain or darkening skin also require prompt medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Compare Plastic Surgeons in Colombia With PlacidWay
PlacidWay can help you compare available provider profiles, understand preliminary costs, request clinic information and prepare credential, safety and aftercare questions. A medical assessment from a qualified surgeon is still required before any treatment decision.
Request Information About Colombia ProvidersReferences
- ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic and Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2024 – International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud, ReTHUS – Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection
- Instituciones Acreditadas en Salud – Sistema Único de Acreditación en Salud de Colombia
- 2024 Average Surgeon and Physician Fees – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Gluteal Fat Grafting Joint Safety Statement – American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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