Is Medellín Safe for Medical Tourists?
A straight answer on safety in Medellín for surgery patients: the surgical safety protocol, Dr. Franco's credentials, and staying safe in the city.
Two questions, two answers
People ask about safety in two different senses, and both deserve a straight answer. The first is surgical safety. The second is day-to-day safety in the city. They are related, and you can plan for both.
Surgical safety
A facelift is surgery, and the main risk is a hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin. Dr. Franco's protocol keeps systolic blood pressure under 120 during and after surgery, and in published studies that cut the hematoma rate from 3.76 percent to 0.5 percent. He also uses tranexamic acid, which a 2025 review found reduced drain output by about 71 percent. The full detail is on our science and safety page.
Credentials that matter
Dr. Diego Franco is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 15 years of experience, registered with ReTHUS, the national registry of health professionals in Colombia. He operates in a JCI-accredited surgical facility with an anesthesia provider, not in a back office. You can verify his registration yourself.
Staying safe in the city
Medellín has the same rules as any large city. Stay in the neighborhoods patients use, such as El Poblado and Laureles. Use the clinic's airport transfer or registered taxis and ride-hailing apps rather than informal drivers. Keep your phone and wallet out of sight, and do not flash cash or jewelry while you are recovering.
What the team controls
Your recovery coordinator arranges your transport, your lodging, and your follow-ups, so you spend less time navigating an unfamiliar city and more time resting. Most patients move between the clinic, the recovery house, and a short list of safe, familiar places.
Related pages
- Facelift in Medellín: the full overview
- The science of facelift safety
- Recovering in Medellín: climate and comfort
- Blood work before international surgery
Next steps
Send three photos from the front and one from each side, and Dr. Franco will walk you through the safety protocol and what it means for your case.
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