unqualified physicians and having procedures performed in non-accredited surgical facilities," the organization states in a briefing paper on the issue.

The organization also says that vacation activity and post-surgery healing don't mix, unequivocally warning: "Patients should not sunbathe, drink alcohol, swim/snorkel, water ski/jet ski, parasail, take extensive tours (walking or bus), or exercise after surgery."

Colombia's reputation as a budding destination for plastic surgery got a nice kick from news last year that the Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona, who had become obese, slimmed down after stomach-stapling surgery in Cartagena, the country's Caribbean coastal gem.

"Maradona is an international hero and the whole world was very sad for him and now look at him, surgery changed his life. It's attracting lots more people," said Mejia.

Plastic surgery in Colombia: Society for Plastic Surgery in Colombia, http://www.cirugiaplastica.org.co. Company that arranges plastic surgery trips to Colombia: http://www.colombiatourssolutions.com or (011) (57) (1) 636-3932.

Websites with forums for discussion of undergoing plastic surgery outside Canada and the United States: http://www.psjourneys.com and http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/ .

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