Brazil

Brazil boasts more than 4,500 licensed cosmetic surgeons, with the highest per capita number of practicing cosmetic physicians in the world. Most international patients head to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's two largest cities. Smaller, cozier destinations, such as Porto Alegre and Santos, are also popular.

Prices vary widely. While the celebrity "surgeons to the stars" command fees comparable to the highest found in the US, dozens of excellent, lesser-known clinics serve patients from all regions and income brackets. Brazil is home to the internationally revered Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, the world's most renowned plastic surgeon. The clinic and institute bearing his name were established in 1963, and more than 4,000 surgeons have visited there for training, workshops, and continuing education. Pitanguy and his protégés have set a standard for cosmetic and aesthetic surgery higher than anywhere else in the world.

Yet, for all its notoriety, Brazil lacks the medical travel infrastructure found in other medical travel destinations. In fact, until recently, Brazilian doctors were not allowed to advertise, and any commercialization of medical services was frowned upon by peers. However, this is changing, as the Brazilian government has now chosen to follow the rise in international medical interest with corresponding investment, like its counterparts in Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Health travel services are gradually gaining ground, with the numbers of conscientious, reliable agents, recovery accommodations, and travel support services growing. Health travelers intent on Brazil should redouble their efforts to work from a base of reliable information or through a trustworthy third-party agent.

Note: If you’re planning to go to Rio, you may want to be aware of the annual Carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese) festival. This grande dame of all street fairs occurs in late February or early March, and it makes our Mardi Gras look like a needlepoint convention. If you wish to avoid the chaos, steer clear of those dates. If you wish to enjoy the revelry, make sure you reserve air travel and lodging well in advance.

At a Glance

•   Language   Portuguese (some English)
•   Time Zone   GMT -3
•   Country Dialing Code   55
•   Electricity   127V and 220V (Brazil's electricity is notoriously nonstandard); check your specific destination for plug type
•   Currency   Real
•   Recommended Immunizations   Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid Booster
•   Treatment Specialties   Cosmetic, Dental, Ophthalmology, Weight Loss
•   JCI-Accredited Hospitals   Porto Alegre: Hospital Moinhos de Vento  Rio de Janeiro: Hospital Copa D'Or; Hospital do Câncer I (INCA); Hospital do Câncer II (INCA); Hospital do Câncer III (INCA); Hospital São Vicente de Paulo; Instituto Estadual de Hematologia-Hemorio; Instituto Nacional de Traumato e Ortopedia (INTO)  São Paulo: Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz; Hospital do Coração; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; Hospital Sírio Libanês; Sociedade Hospital Samaritano
•   Standards and Accreditation   Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Dentistry, JCI

 

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