'Paid 8k cash and I’m alive!': New moms are crossing the border to Mexico for 'mommy makeovers' to cut costs on cutting sizes

And, increasingly, women are leaving the U.S. to undergo these procedures.

“I went to TJ, best experience ever!” one Reddit user wrote in a thread of new moms seeking advice on where to go. “Super easy to work with, paid $8k cash and I’m alive!”

She had a tummy tuck, a Brazilian butt lift, 360 lipo and chin lipo, calling it the “best decision” she had ever made.

Medical tourism has surged as patients seek lower prices, shorter wait times and all-inclusive packages that bundle surgery, transportation, accommodations and recovery care. For Americans paying largely out of pocket, the savings can be substantial, with cosmetic procedures in Mexico, in particular, often costing 40% to 80% less than comparable surgeries in the United States.

“We have really good doctors, very good personnel, great hospitals and it’s close to the border and easy for [patients] to come from San Diego,” Dr. Jocelyn Loubet, MD., who works on the pre-operative care team for triple-board-certified Dr. Carlos Illich Navarro of Mommy Makeover Tijuana, told Moneywise. “It’s safe and more accessible for the patients (…) Our doctors here also prepare in the States, so it’s very trustworthy.”

Why moms are flocking to Mexico for cosmetic surgeries

Mexico is one of the world’s leading destinations for cosmetic surgery, with a significant share of its international medical tourism market driven by aesthetic procedures. The country estimates one to three million international medical tourists annually — the highest volume in Latin America. In fact, Mexico’s medical tourism market was valued at $2.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $10.6 billion by 2034 at a growth rate (CAGR) of 18.96%.

Among Mexican destinations, Tijuana has become the epicenter of cross-border cosmetic surgery. Just steps from San Diego, the city allows patients to fly into Southern California and cross the border for treatment. It’s home to hundreds of hospitals and clinics that cater largely to North Americans, offering board-certified plastic surgeons and recovery homes tailored to international patient needs.

Reddit users have agreed that “abroad is the way to go,” explaining that, when they find cosmetic work they admire, they turn to Reddit threads and Facebook groups to find previous patients who’ve been before — especially when the prices “almost seem too good to be true.”

But, “even if you’re in Tijuana, Mexico, it can still be expensive,” Dr. Loubet said.

“It’s not as much as in the U.S., but a mommy makeover could go from $10,000 to $16,000,” Dr. Loubet said, which compares to around $34,000 to upwards of $50,000 in the U.S. “That’s why we offer financial options, and it’s why a lot of patients come to us. We offer financial solutions through Klarna and Afterpay (…) [Patients] can also make payments each week or each month, whatever suits them better.”

Mommy Makeover Tijuana also offers an all-inclusive package that includes a virtual consultation with Dr. Illich, who is recognized by the American Association of Plastic Surgeons.

“Here with Dr. Illich, we give you a full experience; it’s not just having surgery, and then you’re let go,” Dr. Loubet said. “We are with you from the beginning, we prepare you, and, once you are out of here, we keep up with you.”

Once patients are home, they’re also entitled to six months of post-operative care with the nurse — or for as long as needed.

What to keep in mind before traveling for cosmetic surgery

Unfortunately, the rapid growth of medical tourism has also led to an increased number of unlicensed clinics and, as such, post-surgical complications and even fatal emergencies.

Of course, even when you go to a board-certified plastic surgeon in a hospital, however, any medical procedure inevitably comes with risks. While Dr. Loubet tells Moneywise that less than 1.2% of patients at Mommy Makeover Tijuana have had complications, she says that patients’ “safety always comes first.”

Blood clots are an obvious concern, especially when it comes to flying home following surgery. Mommy Makeover Tijuana makes sure that patients are always wearing compression socks and taking time to stand up, walk around and get their blood flowing throughout the recovery journey.

Dr. Loubet also tells patients who’ve had breast augmentation of any kind not to lift their arms over their heads, which can open wounds or move implants.

“They’re expected complications,” she said, adding that Mommy Makeover Tijuana covers any costs of repairing complications should they arise.

Sometimes, however, complications arise days or weeks after surgery, when it can be difficult for patients to fly back to Mexico. And it can also be challenging to find a surgeon at home who can help without racking up emergency room bills.