The ultimate guide to Breast Reduction in Costa Rica

Last fact-checked: 3 September 2020

Women, as well as men, with overly large breasts can benefit from a breast reduction in Costa Rica.

Easy to reach from the US, patients are able to find the same quality as back home just for much less—especially when booking in at one of our quality-checked Costa Rican clinics. 

Why Would I Need a Breast Reduction?

Disproportionately large breasts can lead to a number of health issues, including neck and back pain, as well as lower self-esteem. Individuals with large breasts may also experience many other problems, including skin irritation and difficulty in leading an active lifestyle.

To be a good candidate for breast reduction, you should have realistic expectations and be in good overall health.

Why Consider Breast Reduction Surgery in Costa Rica?

If you have always dreamed of enjoying a tropical getaway, having a breast reduction performed in Costa Rica can give you the ability to enjoy some R&R while also improving your self-image. Costa Rica offers an incredible array of spectacular sights, including Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest. With so much to see and do in Costa Rica, you may find it to be a good idea to allow time for sightseeing prior to your breast reduction procedure. 

Prospective patients will also find that Costa Rica has an exceptional healthcare system, including English-speaking physicians, many of whom were either educated in the United States or are members of professional organizations. Facilities in Costa Rica adhere to the highest standards, including those established by the International Standards Organization.

Healthcare procedures also tend to be less expensive in Costa Rica than in many other parts of the world, including the United States. Patients are often able to save more than 50% on the price of their treatment.

Booking with Medical Departures

At Medical Departures, our goal is to assist you in finding highly qualified medical facilities for your breast reduction in Costa Rica. We only include facilities on our list that we have thoroughly vetted. Before including a clinic or surgeon on our list, we:

• Confirm qualifications and professional memberships
• Perform civil and criminal background checks
• Speak to real patients about their experience with that facility or surgeon
• Visit each facility in person to gain an understanding of how things are done

Only when we are completely satisfied with our findings do we include a clinic or physician on our list.

How Long Does a Breast Reduction Take and What Is the Recovery Like?

Prior to your surgery, your physician will meet with you to discuss your goals and medical history. Your consultation will also include a measurement of your breasts to assist in determining the amount of tissue that will need to be removed during the procedure.

This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes between three and five hours. Your physician will begin your procedure by making several incisions. Next, they will remove excess fat, tissue, and skin.

Depending on your goals, liposuction may also be used to remove excess fatty tissue and skin.

Many patients also have the underlying breast tissue lifted and shaped. You should also be aware that in order to achieve your cosmetic goals, it may be necessary for your physician to reduce the size of your areola. Prior to suturing your incisions, the physician will also reposition your nipple.

Results are typically visible immediately following a breast reduction. 

Key items to note about your recovery from breast reduction surgery:

• After the procedure, you should expect to have surgical tape or adhesive to support your breasts.
• Swelling is common after this procedure but should subside within a few weeks.
• An overnight stay is not usually required for this procedure. Drain tubes may be present to assist in reducing swelling and are removed within a couple of days following the surgery.
• Stitches are typically removed within two weeks following a breast reduction
• Depending on the nature of your work, plan to take off at least one week from work. You should also limit physical activity for several weeks after your surgery, which includes heavy lifting.

It is normal to experience some discomfort and pain following their procedure and can be managed with oral painkillers. 

What Is the Cost of a Breast Reduction in Costa Rica Compared to the U.S. and Canada?

The average price of a breast reduction in Costa Rica is about $3,200 (AUD $4,491, GBP £2,308, EUR €2,929).

This can be compared to a staggering $12,500 in the United States (AUD $17,684, GBP £8,618, EUR €11,201). (Even patients with good health insurance may still find that they will incur significant costs)

Please note: These are estimated prices at the time of writing. Check out updated prices, as well as photos, surgeon profiles, patient testimonials and more at these leading clinics in Costa Rica for breast reductions:

• Gustavo Chavarria
• Miguel Alfaro Dávila

What's Next?

Learn more about our quality-checked medical facilities and the benefits they offer.

Ready to book an appointment for your breast reduction? It's as easy as picking up the phone to speak with our Customer Care Team (for free), or booking directly through our site to guarantee the best prices in Costa Rica. 

Sources:

International Organization for Standardization. Website accessed 3 September 2020. https://www.iso.org/home.html

Breast Reduction Surgery. WebMD. 3 February 2019. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-breast-reduction-surgery

Chidyllo, Stephen, MD, DDS, FACs. Is breast reduction covered by health insurance? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 19 January 2018. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/is-breast-reduction-covered-by-health-insurance

Costa Rica. UNESCO. 2019. http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cr

Image by: Arturo Sotillo licensed under Creative Commons