At some point in your research a PDF lands in your inbox or WhatsApp with a clinic logo at the top and a number at the bottom. In Colombia it is usually called a cotización. Patients tend to read only the last line. That is understandable, but a quote is also the first written document a clinic gives you, and how it is put together tells you a lot about how the clinic works.
This guide is not about whether a price is good or bad. It is about reading the document so you know what you are actually agreeing to pay for, and spotting the gaps before they turn into surprise bills in Medellín.
Step one: who and where, before how much
Before you look at any figure, find three names on the quote.
- The surgeon. A full legal name, not "Dr. Carlos" or "our specialist team." You need the full name to check the surgeon's specialty in Colombia's government register. Our verification guide explains how.
- The facility. The name and address of the clinic or hospital where the operation will take place. A quote that lists only the sales company's office address leaves out the most important location.
- The anesthesia provider. Ideally a named anesthesiologist, or at least a written statement that anesthesia will be given by a specialist anesthesiologist.
If any of these are missing, ask for them before going further. You cannot judge the value of a price when you do not know who and what it buys.
Step two: read the procedure description
The procedure lines should describe the operation clearly enough that someone else could understand what is being done. "Lipo 360" or "lipoescultura" alone is shorthand, not a description. Look for the specific areas to be treated, whether fat transfer is included, and whether any extra procedures are bundled in.
Compare this with what you discussed at consultation. If you talked about treating the abdomen, flanks and back, and the quote says "abdomen," that difference matters. It may mean the plan has changed, or that the extra areas will be billed separately.
When the quote is a range
Some clinics quote a range, or a base price with conditions. That is not automatically a problem. A surgeon may not know until they examine you in person how much work is needed. What you want is a clear explanation of what moves the price up or down, and a commitment that you will receive a final, fixed quote before you are on the operating table.
Step three: the line items, one by one
Quotes from different Medellín clinics are formatted differently, but most surgical costs fall into the same buckets. Use this table to check whether each one is covered, excluded or simply not mentioned.
| Item | What to look for | Question if unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon's fee (honorarios del cirujano) | Listed separately or bundled | Does this include the assistant surgeon, if one is used? |
| Anesthesiologist's fee (honorarios de anestesiología) | A separate line, or explicitly included | Is this the full fee for the expected length of surgery? |
| Facility and operating room (derechos de sala) | Operating room time, recovery room, consumables | What if the operation runs longer than planned? |
| Overnight stay (hospitalización) | Whether a night in the clinic is included | If my surgeon wants me to stay an extra night, what does it cost? |
| Pre-operative tests (exámenes prequirúrgicos) | Blood tests, ECG or imaging | Which tests are included, and can I do any of them at home? |
| Implants or devices | Brand, type and size range if relevant | Will I receive the implant documentation? |
| Compression garments (fajas) | How many, which stages | Will I need to buy a second stage garment separately? |
| Medications | Discharge prescriptions, blood-thinning injections if used | Are post-operative medications included? |
| Follow-up visits (controles) | Number of in-person visits included | How many follow-ups before I fly, and is drain removal included? |
| Post-operative therapy | Lymphatic drainage sessions, if offered | How many sessions, and are they with a licensed therapist? |
| Pathology | Lab analysis of removed tissue where relevant | Will tissue be sent to pathology, and is that included? |
Step four: the fine print that costs money later
The most expensive parts of a surgical trip are often the ones that are not on the quote at all. The CDC Yellow Book notes that cosmetic surgery abroad is often marketed as a low-cost, all-inclusive package, and that complications such as infection or the need for revision can add to the original cost. It also advises confirming which follow-up costs are included and whether follow-up happens at the same facility (CDC Yellow Book, 2026).
Look for, or ask for, written answers on:
- Complications: If I need to return to the operating room or be admitted to a hospital, who pays?
- Revision: What is the policy if I need a touch-up, how long does it apply and what would I still pay for (facility, anesthesia, travel)?
- Cancellation and rescheduling: What happens to my deposit if the surgeon or anesthesiologist postpones surgery because of my lab results or health on the day?
- Validity: How long is the quote valid, and does the price change with exchange rates?
The deposit question
Many clinics ask for a deposit to hold a surgery date. Before you pay, make sure you know exactly whom you are paying (the clinic, the surgeon, or a separate agency), what the deposit is for, and under what circumstances it is refundable. A deposit request that arrives before you have spoken to the surgeon is a reason to pause. The NHS advises not paying for a hospital or surgeon you have not seen (NHS, accessed 2026).
Step five: currency, taxes and payment method
Medellín clinics quote in US dollars, Colombian pesos, or both. If the quote is in pesos, the dollar cost will move with the exchange rate between now and payment. If it is in dollars, ask how they convert at payment time if you pay locally. Also ask whether card payments carry a surcharge and whether the price includes any applicable taxes. These are not huge items individually, but they make two quotes that look identical end up different. For more on payment methods, see our payment and financing guide.
Step six: everything outside the quote
A surgical quote covers the medical side. Your trip costs more than that. Build a second list for flights, accommodation for recovery, meals, local transport, a companion's travel, extra garments, time off work and a buffer for a longer stay. Keeping the two lists separate stops you mistaking a cheap surgical quote for a cheap trip.
Comparing two quotes fairly
Once you have two or three quotes, line them up using the same table. The aim is to compare like with like.
- Normalise the scope. If one quote treats more areas or includes fat transfer and another does not, they are not the same operation.
- Add back the exclusions. If one includes garments, an overnight stay and follow-ups and another does not, estimate what you would pay for those separately.
- Compare the people. A named, verifiable surgeon and anesthesiologist in a licensed facility versus an unnamed team is a difference no price gap can paper over.
- Be wary of the outlier. A quote far below the others for the same operation usually means something is missing, or something is different about who is operating or where.
Red flags on a quote
- No surgeon's name, or a first name only.
- No facility named, or a facility you cannot find any information about.
- "Anesthesia included" with no mention of who provides it.
- A deadline discount ("valid 48 hours") attached to a major operation.
- Payment requested to a personal account rather than a business account.
- Refusal to put revision, complication or cancellation terms in writing.
What a good quote feels like
A well-prepared quote is boring in the best way. It names people and places, describes the operation clearly, separates what is included from what is not and has terms you can read in your own language. When you send follow-up questions, the answers come back in writing and match what you were told at consultation. That consistency is worth more than a small price difference.
Related from the network
- Medellín Cosmetic Surgery — packages, recovery, procedures (sibling)
- SCCP Verification — the step-by-step guide
- Anesthesia Safety in Colombian Clinics
- Clinic vs Hospital Operating Rooms: habilitación
- Malpractice & Legal Recourse in Colombia
- colombiamedical.co — Colombia medical tourism hub
- Colombia BBL — dedicated BBL resource
- Hair Transplant Medellín — dedicated hair resource
Frequently asked questions
What is a cotización from a Medellín clinic?
It is the written quote for your procedure. A useful one names the surgeon, the facility and the anesthesia provider, describes the operation and lists what is included and excluded, along with payment and cancellation terms.
Why does my Medellín quote not include the anesthesiologist?
Some clinics bill anesthesia separately, others include it. Ask whether anesthesia is included, who will provide it, and whether the fee covers the expected length of surgery. Get the answer in writing.
Is a quote with a price range normal?
It can be. Surgeons sometimes need to examine you in person before finalizing the plan. Ask what would move the price within the range and make sure you get a fixed final price before surgery.
How do I compare two plastic surgery quotes from different clinics?
Put them side by side using the same line items, make sure they cover the same operation and areas, add back the cost of anything one excludes, and compare who is operating and where. The lowest number is not always the lowest total.
Should I pay a deposit before my consultation with the surgeon?
It is wise to speak to the surgeon first. The NHS advises not paying for a hospital or surgeon you have not seen. Before paying any deposit, confirm who receives it, what it secures and when it is refundable.
What costs are usually not on a surgical quote?
Flights, accommodation, meals, local transport, a companion's travel, extra garments and time off work are usually outside the quote. The CDC also notes that complications or revision can add to the original cost, so ask how those are handled.
Have a quote you want to understand?
Send the desk your quote and your questions. We can help you work out what is included, what is missing and what to ask the clinic in writing.