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Cosmetic Surgery
Board-certified surgeons, modern facilities, and significant savings in the Caribbean
Cosmetic Surgery in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of the world's top destinations for cosmetic surgery, with board-certified plastic surgeons performing thousands of procedures annually. Recovery houses and luxury villas provide comfortable post-operative care in a tropical setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does cosmetic surgery cost in the Dominican Republic compared to the US?
- Most procedures run 40-70% below US prices. A tummy tuck that costs $8,000-$12,000 in the US typically runs $3,500-$5,500 in the DR; liposuction runs $2,000-$4,000 versus $5,000-$9,000; a BBL runs $3,000-$5,500 versus $8,000-$15,000. Quoted packages commonly bundle the surgeon's fee, facility fee, and anesthesia, but confirm exactly what's included before booking — recovery-house stay, follow-up visits, and garments are sometimes separate line items.
- How long should I plan to stay for recovery?
- Most surgeons require 7-14 days in-country before clearing you to fly, depending on the procedure — liposuction and breast augmentation are typically on the shorter end, while combination procedures (a "mommy makeover" or BBL paired with lipo) run longer. Your surgeon sets the exact timeline at your pre-op consultation based on how your recovery is progressing, not a fixed calendar date.
- What is SODOCIP and why does certification matter?
- SODOCIP (Sociedad Dominicana de Cirugía Plástica) is the Dominican Society of Plastic Surgery — the professional body that credentials board-certified plastic surgeons in the country. Confirming a surgeon's SODOCIP membership independently, before booking, is a documented, verifiable step; it is not a guarantee of outcome or safety, and it doesn't substitute for your own physician's advice.
- What is a recovery house and do I need one?
- A recovery house is short-term lodging staffed for post-operative care — typically nursing check-ins, compression-garment assistance, meals, and transport to follow-up appointments. Many surgeons include a few nights at a partner recovery house in their package or recommend one; for longer or combination procedures, travelers often extend the stay or upgrade to a private villa once cleared for more independent recovery.
- Will my US health insurance cover anything?
- Elective cosmetic surgery is almost never covered by US health insurance, whether performed at home or abroad. Some travelers separately purchase short-term international medical or travel insurance to cover unrelated illness or injury during the trip — that's a distinct product from coverage for the procedure itself, and terms vary by provider, so read the policy before assuming it applies to surgical complications.
- What documents do I need to travel for a procedure?
- A passport valid for your full stay, any pre-op medical clearance or lab work your surgeon requires (often done in the days just before surgery), proof of onward travel, and your clinic's post-op documentation for re-entry to your home country. Confirm your specific clinic's checklist directly — requirements vary by facility and by procedure.