Plastic surgery is no big deal these days. The number of people wanting to improve their self image with some form of cosmetic procedure is commonplace. Sites like LiftMagic.com even allow you to upload a photo and see a simulated photo of how you’d look with, say, a nose job or a facelift or a lip plumping. The resulting photo can be pretty realistic if done correctly.

What’s really interesting, though, is how many of these people are choosing to have their surgery or procedure done right here in Mexico.

Mexico is close, treatment comes at a significantly lower cost, and it offers the latest in techniques, and excellent facilities and doctors. World-renowned medical schools are found here, among them the University of Guadalajara and the Institute of Reconstructive Surgery. Many American and other international students come here to study.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing one of the area’s leading reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Victor Ledezma, who teaches at both the institutions above, and is also the director of the Florencia Clinic in Guadalajara. Dr. Ledezma has been in medical practice for 33 years, with 27 of those spent doing reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries.

I was really impressed by Dr. Ledezma’s donation of time and services to the Operation Ismael Mexico Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers free reconstructive surgeries for children with facial deformities. According to the doctor, "Plastic surgery helps people to have the confidence they need to succeed in life. Beauty is power in our society. I agree that beauty is important but confidence in yourself and self-esteem is far more important."

Dr. Ledezma uses a morphing program similar to LiftMagic.com, but far more sophisticated, to show you the results before going under the knife so that you’ll be able to work with the doctor to communicate clearly what look you want. "In the end," he told me, "I want the result to be very natural. I want my patients to hear they look younger, happier and well-rested...not that they obviously had surgery."

Dr Ledezma quoted a few prices to me, just to give an idea of the total cost. These are approximations and are converted into USD. Also, these prices include the hospital fees, anesthesiologist, surgeon, etc. Not included are the required blood tests before surgery or the initial consultation fee.

Facelift: $5,000. USD

Tummy Tuck: $4,500 USD

Breast Implants: $3,500 USD

Liposuction: $4,000 USD

Eyelid and Eyebrow Tuck/Lift: $2,500 USD

Since plastic surgery procedures are generally not covered by health insurance, there is little incentive to pay top dollars in the U.S. Plastic surgery clinics in Mexico are offering less expensive options for people who otherwise could never afford to have this work done and in the hands of a recommended and qualified surgeons, the results can be amazing and affordable.

In Ajijic, Casita Montana, a cozy B&B owned by Ann Dyer, caters to people from north of the border who come to Mexico for affordable, elective surgeries who can then recover there at her B&B while being pampered and taken care of by a registered nurse.

Ann, originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, until she moved to Ajijic in 1987, has seen the growing trend among foreigners seeking cosmetic surgery south of the border where the quality of the procedures is world-class and the cost is about a third of that north of the border.

According to a Toluna Poll asking whether or not men or women would consider plastic surgery, 78 for men saying they would consider it. This number continues to rise each year.

Ann has two surgeons that she recommends (one of them being Dr. Ledezma) and both are extremely qualified, and of course, board certified medically and for cosmetic surgery.

They are equipped with state-of-the-art hospital facilities. The procedures are performed in Guadalajara, and Casita Montana provides transportation to and from Guadalajara, about 45 minutes away.

Many people have been coming to this area but had no place to recover post-surgery. Ann is filling that niche beautifully and to date, she is the only one doing so in the Lake Chapala area.

People can recuperate after having cosmetic surgery procedures done in Guadalajara and relax in the quiet and beauty of Las Casita Montana with transportation, post-surgical medical care from an RN, special meals, light exercise regimens, meditation and hypnosis given before and after the procedures. They also offer complete spa services such as massages, manicures, pedicures and facials and a complete make-over package, which means after healing and before returning home, a professional beauty consultant will work with you for a new image, new hair style, maybe new hair color, makeup and clothing style suited to the person, etc.

Because Mexico has high-quality professional health care, many choose to travel here for medical procedures other than cosmetic surgery such as permanent make-up, dental care, chelation therapy and laser eye surgery. Guadalajara has the most options for cosmetic surgery in the world and Anne cares for her guests during their post-operative recovery time with professionalism and compassion.

Anne says, "We want the person to feel and look beautiful, in all ways, spiritually, physically and emotionally, ready for a new beginning. The cost is so much less than in the states or Canada and some of the best people and care in the world are right here."

The package including the cosmetic surgery, re-patterning and beauty procedures usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for a complete new look as well as a rejuvenating feeling of well-being. Recovering from cosmetic surgery usually takes about 7 to 10 days for most procedures.

In our next installment on plastic surgery, we will be following a Focus Alumnus and a friend of ours who have both agreed to show us before and after pictures and tell us about their experiences here with cosmetic surgery and recovery at Ann’s health spa and B&B. afterwards.

If you’re ready for a new you, and you wish to make a reservation, give Anne a call.

From the US & Canada:

1-918-770-4089

From Mexico:

01-376-766-5513

E-mail: casitamontana@yahoo.com .

Or click here to use Casa Montana’s online contact form.

• In certain cases, plastic surgery can be tax-deductible, but, if this is important to you, you should check with your financial advisor or tax accountant, before proceeding.