Dr. Carlos Prada

Dr. Carlos Prada is a senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon practising at Hospital CIMA San José, Costa Rica's premier private hospital affiliated with HCA Healthcare International and recognised for serving a large international patient population. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Prada has built a distinguished reputation in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, attracting patients from across Central America, North America, and beyond. He is known for his meticulous surgical technique, natural-looking aesthetic results, and a patient-centred philosophy that prioritises thorough preoperative consultation and safety. Costa Rica is one of Latin America's most popular destinations for medical tourism, and Dr. Prada is one of the country's most trusted plastic surgeons.

Dr. Prada completed his medical degree (MD) at a Costa Rican university and his specialist training in plastic and reconstructive surgery, including residency in Costa Rica followed by advanced training at accredited centres in the United States and Latin America. He holds specialisation in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, with a particular focus on facial aesthetics, body contouring, and breast surgery. He has attended international masterclass programmes and cadaveric workshops to maintain skills at the forefront of evolving plastic surgery techniques. He is a member of the Sociedad Costarricense de Cirugía Plástica, the national body that certifies plastic surgeons in Costa Rica.

Dr. Prada's cosmetic surgery expertise includes rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and reduction, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, eyelid surgery, and body contouring procedures. He has particular experience with post-bariatric body contouring for patients who have undergone significant weight loss and require skin excess correction. His reconstructive work includes post-trauma facial reconstruction, congenital deformity correction, and scar revision. He places strong emphasis on natural, proportionate results tailored to each patient's anatomy and aesthetic goals rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. His anaesthesia and surgical team at Hospital CIMA maintain international accreditation standards.

Costa Rica is one of the world's premier medical tourism destinations and Dr. Prada regularly treats patients from the United States, Canada, and Europe seeking high-quality plastic surgery at significantly lower cost than in their home countries. Hospital CIMA San José has a dedicated international patient department that assists with arrival logistics, concierge services, and post-operative recovery accommodation. Dr. Prada offers pre-operative video consultations for international patients to review photographs, discuss goals, and plan procedures before travel. He consults in Spanish and English. Detailed surgical cost estimates are available upon request.

Dr. Prada has been recognised by the Sociedad Costarricense de Cirugía Plástica for his contributions to advancing plastic surgery standards in Costa Rica, including his role in patient safety education and surgical training. He has presented at the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) congress and at regional Latin American plastic surgery meetings. He has contributed to educational programmes for residents in plastic surgery and serves as a proctor for advanced body contouring techniques. He has been featured in medical tourism publications as one of Costa Rica's top plastic surgeons and is known for consistently high patient satisfaction rates.