When researching plastic surgery options, patients compare price and quality, looking for better value without compromising safety or results. This has led to many U.S. patients discovering that the Dominican Republic, and specifically Santo Domingo, offers access to top-tier surgeons and modern facilities at a fraction of U.S. prices.
This isn't about "discount medicine." It's about world-class outcomes at better value. This post dives into the real numbers behind the cost of plastic surgery, breaking down the price differences between the U.S. and the DR, and what makes CECILIP the standout choice for international patients seeking quality care abroad.
CECILIP Santo Domingo: Accredited Plastic Surgery Clinic
When U.S. patients search for the best clinics in Santo Domingo, they often prioritize three things: surgeon credentials, facility capabilities, and continuity of care. Founded in 1997, CECILIP in Santo Domingo ticks all boxes prioritizing clinical excellence and infrastructure. Beyond a polished patient experience, what sets CECILIP apart is the rigor behind the scenes.
Board-certified surgical leadership
CECILIP's senior surgeon profiles highlight extensive training and society memberships such as SODOCIPRE. When vetting a plastic surgeon in the Dominican Republic, board certification and society memberships such as SODOCIPRE, FILACP, ISAPS, or ASPS international affiliations are practical proofs of credentials.
Hospital-level infrastructure
Media coverage of CECILIP's renovation notes multiple operating rooms, ICU support, on-site imaging, and even a hyperbaric chamber. These capabilities support safer perioperative care and complex revisions when medically appropriate, ensuring patient safety remains the top priority.
Dominican Republic vs U.S. Plastic Surgery Cost Comparison
At first glance, many patients assume that lower prices abroad must mean cutting corners. In reality, the difference has less to do with quality of care and more to do with economic structure.
In the U.S., quoted figures—taken from sources such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—mostly reflect only the surgeon's fee. The true bill grows once anesthesia, operating room time, staff, and facility charges are added. This is why U.S. patient-reported totals often end up thousands of dollars higher than the "headline" number.
By contrast, plastic surgeons in the Dominican Republic operate under a different cost base. Lower cost of living and operating expenses enable accredited clinics like CECILIP to employ internationally trained, board-certified surgeons and still price procedures more affordably.
On top of that, DR clinics typically use a bundled model, where medications, overnight hospital care, pre-op testing (such as pulmonologist consultations, chest X-rays, Doppler and ultrasound scans when indicated), lymphatic drainage sessions for body procedures, and first- & second-stage garments are included in the quoted range. In essence, what looks "cheaper" is often actually more comprehensive.
Procedure Cost Comparison
| Procedure | U.S. Average Cost* | D.R. Average Cost | Typical Savings |
|---|
| Abdominoplasty | $7,700-8,500 | $5,000 – $6,000 | 30–40% |
| Liposuction 360 | $5,000 – $15,000 | $4,500 - $6,500 | 50–60% |
| Facelift | $9,500-$11,400 | $6,000 – $7,000 | 40–50% |
| BBL | $6000-7000 | $3,500 – $4,800 | 35–50% |
*The ranges above are non-promissory. U.S. costs are drawn from public online sources, and Dominican Republic ranges are based on heva's access to CECILIP's doctors.
In all, it is important to note that final quotes always vary depending on the patient's goals, health profile, and surgical plan. Still, when viewed apples-to-apples, patients routinely find 30–60% savings when opting for care in the DR—not because of compromised quality, rather because of a fundamentally different cost structure and pool of opportunities.
heva Platform: Transparent Pricing & Secure Medical Tourism
Choosing care often raises fair concerns such as: conversational friction, hidden fees, payment security, slow response times, and issues booking appointments. heva exists to remove those pain points and make your journey abroad feel as professional and easy-going as possible.
24/7 access via AI-powered agent
Our heva agent handles inquiries, medical Q&A (with human escalation when needed), pre-op prep, and time-zone-friendly scheduling—even outside business hours, always working on the patients' timing.
Transparent, personalized quotes
heva connects you with elite, board-certified doctors—such as CECILIP's surgeons—and provides line-item clarity for every procedure, add-on, and recovery-care option. No surprises.
Multiple secure payment options
heva processes payments in more than a single currency, with methods such as credit and debit cards, ACH, and Zelle all through Stripe, also partnering with financing tools like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm—so you can move forward on a realistic timeline.
Frictionless coordination
From uploading files to confirming OR dates and check-ins, heva keeps all details in one place—so you're not juggling WhatsApp threads, PDFs, and bank transfers. All of your information is handled on a high-security platform to protect your personal, medical, and financial information.
Why this matters: When you stack up USA vs Dominican Republic surgery, the clinical piece is only half the decision. Process confidence such as clear numbers, secure payments, and smooth scheduling, is becoming the deciding factor. heva's role is to give you both: world-class care and professional grade logistics.
Conclusion: Dominican Republic Plastic Surgery Cost Savings
For many U.S. patients—from New Jersey and New York to Atlanta and Oklahoma—the Dominican Republic offers a compelling alternative: credentialed surgeons, sophisticated facilities, and disciplined care pathways that deliver world-class outcomes at better value.
When you understand the cost drivers, compare realistic price ranges, and insist on licensed facilities and board-certified surgeons, plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic becomes a conversation about smart access—not shortcuts. In today's day and age, top-tier quality care is found outside of the U.S. and is becoming the go-to option for most patients.
Sources, Notes & Disclaimers
- U.S. reference costs (surgeon fees; totals vary): ASPS on tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift, breast lift; RealSelf on mommy makeover totals and patient-reported costs.
- DR reference ranges: BBL (Tania Medina); Tummy tuck (Bookimed); Liposuction (Tania Medina, PlacidWay overview); Facelift (Bookimed); Breast lift (Bookimed); Mommy makeover in Santo Domingo (Bookimed; UMT range context).
- CECILIP capabilities (operating rooms, ICU, hyperbaric chamber) reported in national media.
- Accreditation/"habilitación" in the DR; why accreditation matters (ASPS context).
- Professional societies: SODOCIPRE (DR); CECILIP surgeon profile lists memberships.
This article provides educational information and price context. It is not medical advice. All surgery carries risk; individual candidacy and final quotes are determined by your surgeon after clinical review. heva shares this as a facilitator to help patients make informed choices.
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