While Mexico is not Europe, it is far above other Third World countries, especially in the cities.

The University of Guadalajara has the best medical school in the country, and is where many American doctors receive their medical degrees. The prestigious Institute of Reconstructive Surgery, which has been training doctors from all over the world in the latest surgical techniques for over 35 years, is in Guadalajara.

There are almost 100 certified plastic surgeons just in Guadalajara, and most of the hospital facilities are superior. While most American doctors seem hurried to get their patients in and out the door, doctors in Mexico will spend time listening to their patients' needs and assuaging their concerns.

Worried about the language barrier? Most Mexican doctors speak at least some English, and they took graduate courses or did internships or residencies in the US. Some of them are even Board Certified by agencies in the US.

Guadalajara is not the only city in Mexico where you can find quality plastic surgery. Mexico City and Monterrey also have many good plastic surgeons. There are clinics along the border with the US, but the risks at those clinics of a lower level of care quality are higher. If you plan on visiting a clinic on the border, make sure you investigate the doctors and facilities.

In Guadalajara, a facelift costs about $2500 US. Adding more services, including lifting the eyelids and forehead, raises the price to about $6000, including all costs of your hospital or clinic stay. Botox injections are also significantly less expensive.

You can arrange for transportation through companies such as Airlift, Inc., which is owned by a nurse, which will bring you down to Mexico and handle your accommodations while you are there, even negotiating your nursing and hospital fees for you.

In many cases, you can choose to recover in a scenic facility with 24-hour nursing care. This will give you the peace of mind to be ready to travel back home by the time your swelling and bruising have gone away.

There is one significant risk, however. Malpractice insurance is one reason that US care is so expensive. In Mexico, there are no laws governing malpractice; if something goes wrong in your surgery, you do not have the right to sue your doctor in Mexico. So, the cost is less, but the risk is significantly more.

However, despite the risk, thousands of people from all over North and South America rush to Mexico for face-lifts and other cosmetic surgeries.

Make sure you check out your doctor's credentials, and get references. If possible, visit the city where you will get your operation, so you can meet your doctors, and tour some of the facilities available to you. Many of these cities have large expatriate communities from other countries, who will be willing to give you advice and references. These residents are often the most frequent consumers of cosmetic surgery.

So, if you are willing to accept some risk, and you want to save thousands of dollars on your plastic surgery, try out Mexico!