Jamaicans interested in cosmetic surgery are being encouraged to look to Cuba as a more affordable and reliable option, compared to other countries that offer the service.

According to Dr Osvaldo Hector Ardisana, a commercial specialist at Cuban Medical Services Unit in Havana, patients are so pleased with the cosmetic surgery services offered in the country that they often return to have additional work done.

“People come again and again for different surgeries. First time they do a face lift, next year they do breasts, and the next year they do tummy tuck. If they were not satisfied, they would not come again. Hundreds of patients come from Canada and they are satisfied with their surgery. They spend a week in recovery and when they go home, people say ‘Hey, you look different’. It’s the surgery,” Ardisana told the Jamaica Observer after sharing information about the work of the unit with a group of Jamaican travel agents.

The travel advisors, who are from 10 agencies, are currently on a familiarisation tour of Cuba organised by Jamaican company, Caribbean and Latin Travel Consultant Limited to boost travel to that Spanish-speaking island.

Ardisana disclosed out that breast enlargement is one of the services in high demand and Jamaicans are among a long list of clients who fly to Cuba for surgeries.

“We see a lot of Jamaicans and people from different countries coming here. Cubans that live abroad
— in Spain, Italy and the United States
— when they decide to have that kind of service they come home and do it here. That is because no matter what their political ideas are, or what they think about government systems or whatever, they are familiar with their health system and they feel safe here. They are close to their relatives. When people have to have surgery, it is better to be surrounded by family,” he said.

“The other reason is because the price is good. For example, breast enlargement here would cost about CAD$3,450 to CAD$4,000. We don’t do buttocks implants here. What we do is fat transfers, liposuction. We take fat from the waist and then we arrange it in the buttocks. It is nothing strange. The general cost of the services in Cuba in comparison to other countries is about 50 per cent less. If you compare it with Canada, which is one of our main markets for implants surgery, it is about 30 per cent less,” Ardisana said.

He also said Cuba has a better record in relation quality and safety.

“In some countries, for example, some people have that surgery done in like a garage and it is done by some kind of technician with a training of two weeks. They probably have like their sister as their assistant. Here in Cuba, we have clinics with all the medical requirements and it is 100 per cent professional,” Ardisana asserted.

His presentation went over well with the Jamaican travel agents.

“Regarding the body enhancement surgeries, it is definitely a selling point for Cuba considering the lower costs and the high quality of medical personnel they have here,” Kaylene Myrie from Cosmopolitan Travel Agency told the Observer. “A lot of people nowadays are going in for cosmetic surgeries for an enhancement here or there. After having heard the presentation, it is something I would include when offering packages to clients.”

Brandy Walters of Travel Incorporated Limited agreed.

“I feel like the customers and persons interested in cosmetic surgery will want to come to Cuba, especially because of the prices. Here is a must go. It is a good place to do your liposuction 360. The Cubans are innovating things on a daily basis and they have the know-how,” Walters said.

General Manager of Caribbean and Latin Travel Consultant Limited Yeni Larrahondo said that her company has already been facilitating Jamaicans interested in health tourism.

“People interested in cosmetic surgery can visit our office for assistance. What we do is facilitate the communication between Jamaica and Cuba for them to get a proposal programme for the cosmetic services they require,” she said.