Bourgeois housewives from flyover states across America are jetting down to Central America for some - excuse us - "cut-rate" plastic surgery. On Friday's 20/20, the furry-lipped John Stossel revealed Costa Rica's secret status as the budget-priced nip-and-tuck Mecca.
A booming niche travel industry coordinates transportation to and stays in countries that offer cheaper medical care. Costa Rica Health Escapes and Arriva Costa Rica are CR-specific agencies that send their clients to hospitals/spas like Rosenstock-Lieberman Center and Martino Resort & Spa (pictured above). Other agencies, such as MedRetreat, coordinate travel to other countries with respected but reduced-price surgery, such as Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and India.
Instead of paying the local price of more than $35,000 for excess skin removal, Lori Brown, of Nashville, scored a thigh lift, a tummy tuck, an arm lift and implants for $7,000, 20/20 reported. When folks back at the office see how rejuvenated Lori looks after her tropical vacation, they're going to be frantically booking their stay at Martino.
Related Stories:
· Plastic Surgery Travel [Jaunted]
· Cut-Rate Plastic Surgery [20/20]
[Photo via 20/20] ]]>