Leading national and international specialists gathered this week in Tijuana for the 33rd International Congress of Plastic Surgery, hosted by the College of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Baja California (CCPERBC). The event served as a forum for sharing the latest knowledge and updates on body contouring, breast surgery, reconstructive procedures, and other specialty-specific surgical interventions.
At the opening ceremony, held Thursday at the Quartz Hotel in Tijuana, Dr. Alicia Sigler Moreno, president of CCPERBC, underscored the growing prestige of the region’s plastic surgeons and the significance of hosting such a significant event in the city.
“We are joined not only by outstanding national experts but also by international guest instructors,” she said. “Our goal is to exchange knowledge that enhances clinical practices and ensures efficient, safe care for all patients.”
She also noted that certified surgeons in the area report that approximately 80 to 90% of their aesthetic and reconstructive patients originate from the United States and Canada. She attributed this influx not merely to competitive pricing, but to the high standard of medical care, consistent surgical outcomes, and the city’s comprehensive support services.
“Tijuana now offers certified recovery centers where international patients can remain under professional supervision during their post-operative period, rather than returning home immediately,” she added.
In addition, Dr. Martín de la Cruz Lira Álvarez, president of the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, reaffirmed Tijuana’s strong standing in the global medical tourism landscape.
“Body contouring surgeries such as liposuction, liposculpture, and abdominoplasty, as well as breast implants, are among the most requested procedures in the city. Demand has also increased for certain procedures among male patients and for gluteal implants,” he stated.
He also emphasized that U.S. patients choosing Baja California for surgery are driven largely by the quality of results and the expertise of local specialists, not solely by the lower price.
He also urged prospective patients to thoroughly verify their doctor’s credentials, especially in light of the increasing number of practitioners and facilities that use the term “aesthetics” without holding formal specialization in plastic surgery.
The congress, which runs through Saturday, August 15, features a program of lectures and specialized sessions. Topics include post-bariatric and massive-weight-loss body contouring, breast implant placement and removal, mastopexy and breast reduction, reconstructive techniques, abdominoplasty, liposuction, complication management and safety protocols, rib remodeling, and gender-affirming transgender surgeries.
