The Dominican Republic is experiencing a surge in plastic surgery procedures, with an estimated 50,000 surgeries performed annually. The demand for these services is steadily growing, fueled by both domestic and international patients, as reported in Listin Diario.
Medical tourism has played a significant role in this trend, with many patients traveling from countries such as the United States, Spain and other European nations.
According to Dr. Severo Mercedes, director of the School of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at the Salvador B. Gautier Teaching Hospital, liposuction is the most sought-after procedure, followed by breast augmentation and abdominoplasty.
Mercedes presented these findings at the 13th Ibero-Latin American Congress of Medical Law in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, during a lecture titled “Impact of Media Power on the Practice of Plastic Surgery in the Dominican Republic.” He emphasized that the increasing number of patients seeking plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic is driven by the high quality of services, the trust and confidence in local specialists, and the growing number of specialized centers, particularly in Santo Domingo.
Dr. Mercedes highlighted the significant influence of the media on shaping public opinion and decision-making regarding plastic surgery. Media outlets, both traditional and digital, play a crucial role in shaping beauty standards and influencing individuals’ desires for cosmetic procedures.
He highlighted the Dominican Republic is a new global medical tourism destination. According to the World Medical Tourism Association’s “Medical Tourism Index 2020-2021,” the country ranks first in the Caribbean, second in Latin America, and 19th globally.
The Dominican Ministry of Public Health reports an annual growth rate of approximately 15% in the number of plastic surgery procedures.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
6 November 2024