You have found a surgeon abroad with impressive before-and-after photos, a beautiful clinic website, and pricing that seems too good to be true. How do you know they are actually qualified?
This is the most important article you will read before booking any medical procedure abroad. A 30-minute credential check can be the difference between an excellent outcome and a nightmare. Here is exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Verify the Medical License
Every country has a medical licensing authority. The surgeon's license number should be verifiable through a public registry:
- Colombia: Check the ReTHUS database (Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud) at the Ministry of Health website. This confirms medical degree, specialty training, and active license status. For plastic surgeons specifically, verify SCCP (Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica) membership — this is the gold standard for cosmetic surgeons in Colombia.
- Mexico: Verify through CONACEM (Consejo Nacional de Certificación en Medicina) and check the specialty board relevant to your procedure.
- Turkey: The Turkish Medical Association maintains a registry, though verification can be more complex for English speakers. Ask the clinic for the doctor's diploma number and TC Kimlik (identity number) prefix.
- Thailand: The Thai Medical Council maintains a searchable registry. JCI-accredited hospitals in Thailand conduct rigorous credential verification internally.
If a clinic refuses to provide their surgeon's license number or gets defensive when you ask, that is your answer. Walk away.
Step 2: Confirm Specialty Board Certification
A medical license means they are a doctor. Board certification means they completed additional specialty training and passed examinations in that specific field. These are different things.
For cosmetic surgery in Colombia, look for SCCP certification. For dental work, verify the dentist's specialization (prosthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist) through their university credentials. For IVF, confirm the reproductive endocrinologist's fellowship training.
Red flag: a general surgeon performing cosmetic procedures, or a general dentist performing oral surgery. Specialization matters enormously in outcomes.
Step 3: Check Hospital Affiliation
Where a surgeon operates is as important as who they are. Hospital or clinic affiliation tells you about oversight, equipment quality, emergency response capability, and peer accountability.
- JCI accreditation is the international gold standard. JCI-accredited facilities undergo rigorous safety audits. Colombia has 6+ JCI-accredited hospitals.
- National accreditation in Colombia (through ICONTEC) covers an additional 55+ facilities and is a strong quality signal.
- Ask if the surgeon has admitting privileges at an accredited hospital — even if they operate out of a private clinic. This means a hospital has independently verified their credentials.
Step 4: Research Their Training
Where did they go to medical school? Where did they complete their residency and fellowship? Many top surgeons in Colombia, for example, completed portions of their training in the US, Europe, or Brazil. This is verifiable — ask, and then confirm.
Search Google Scholar for publications in their name. Surgeons who publish research, present at international conferences, or teach at universities are invested in their professional reputation in ways that cannot be faked.
Step 5: Evaluate the Before-and-After Portfolio
Look for these quality indicators:
- Consistent lighting and angles in before/after photos (not flattering angles that make every result look perfect)
- A range of body types and ages — not just ideal candidates
- Cases similar to yours — if you need revision rhinoplasty, seeing primary rhinoplasty results is not relevant
- Volume. A surgeon with 20 before/afters may not have enough cases to assess. A surgeon with 200+ gives you a real picture of consistency.
Be cautious of portfolios that look too polished. Some clinics purchase stock before/after images or use aggressive photo editing. Ask for unedited photos. Ask if you can speak with previous patients.
Step 6: The Virtual Consultation
A legitimate surgeon will offer a virtual consultation before you fly. During this consultation, evaluate:
- Are they assessing you honestly, or just selling?
- Do they explain risks and limitations clearly?
- Do they have a clear pre-operative protocol (lab work, medical history, medications)?
- Can they articulate their surgical approach specifically for your case?
- Is the surgeon communicating directly with you, or is everything filtered through a "coordinator"?
Red Flags That Should Stop You Cold
- No verifiable medical license or board certification
- Instagram or TikTok is their primary marketing channel with no professional website
- They promise specific results or guarantee outcomes
- Heavy pressure to book quickly with "limited availability" tactics
- They operate out of a facility you cannot find on any accreditation list
- They are dismissive of your questions about credentials
- A third-party "fixer" or "facilitator" is managing everything and the surgeon is invisible until surgery day
- Pricing that is dramatically below market rate for the procedure (there is cheap, and then there is suspicious)
Read our companion article on medical tourism red flags for more warning signs.
Want Help Vetting a Clinic?
We research surgeon credentials, hospital accreditation, and patient history so you do not have to do it alone. Tell us who you are considering.
Request Clinic Verification →