Procedures

What people cross the border for

Each page covers what the procedure actually involves, how many trips it needs, and which doctors with a confirmed licence offer it. The number of trips is the detail most price comparisons leave out, and it's often what decides whether the trip is worth making.

Gastric sleeve

Usually one trip · Surgical

Bariatric surgery that removes a large part of the stomach, leaving a narrow sleeve, to reduce food capacity and change appetite signalling.

What it costs

Gastric bypass

Usually one trip · Surgical

Bariatric surgery that reroutes the digestive tract to a smaller stomach pouch, reducing both intake and absorption.

What it costs

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

Usually one trip · Surgical

Removal of excess abdominal skin and fat with tightening of the underlying muscle, often after significant weight loss.

What it costs

Breast augmentation

Usually one trip · Surgical

Implant-based enlargement or reshaping of the breast.

What it costs

Rhinoplasty

Usually one trip · Surgical

Surgery to change the structure of the nose, for appearance or for breathing.

What it costs

LASIK

Usually one trip · Surgical

Laser reshaping of the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism.

What it costs

Cataract surgery

Usually one trip · Surgical

Removal of a clouded natural lens and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens.

What it costs

Knee replacement

Usually one trip · Surgical

Replacement of damaged knee joint surfaces with a prosthetic implant.

What it costs

IVF

Usually about 3 trips · Surgical

In vitro fertilisation: eggs retrieved, fertilised in the laboratory, and an embryo transferred.

What it costs

Specialist second opinion

Usually one trip · Noninvasive

A consultation with a board-certified specialist to review an existing diagnosis or proposed treatment plan.

What it costs