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Orthognathic surgery cost in Medellín: what your quote includes and how to get one from abroad

If you're searching for the cost of jaw surgery in Colombia, you've probably found very different numbers, and almost none of them explain what's included. That's a fair thing to want to know before you plan a trip for something this important. You won't find a price on this page, and not because I'm hiding it: every case is individual and no two are the same, so your quote is given in writing after I've evaluated your case. What you will find is what the quote depends on, what's always included, what's paid separately and how to get a quote without leaving home.

I'm Dr. Santiago Chaves, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at 5:Cinco Face Lab, office 515, Edificio Forum (Calle 7 Sur #42-70, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia). This is a private practice and you don't need a referral. I see patients in English and Spanish.

What your quote depends on

Two people who say "my lower jaw sticks out" can need very different plans. That's why your quote is built around what your case actually needs, not a standard rate:

• Complementary procedures. Some patients need them and others don't. Which ones you need, if any, is defined in your evaluation.
• Travel logistics. If you need help organizing your trip, my team supports you, and that support is included in your quote.

What's always included

• 3D virtual planning and CAD/CAM guides and splints. They're part of every quote. With the 3D plan you can see in images, before surgery, how your bones are planned to move, and the 3D-printed guides and splints carry that plan into surgery. This is where careful science turns something you live with every day into a change you can see planned in advance.
• All the post-op check-ups your case needs. They're more frequent at first and become more spaced out as you recover, with written instructions for each stage. After you fly home, follow-up continues with virtual appointments.

What's paid separately

• Orthodontics. It's needed in almost all cases and is quoted separately. You can keep your orthodontist back home, as long as there is direct communication between your orthodontist and me; the joint evaluation is non-negotiable. The protocol can be conventional (orthodontics, surgery, then orthodontics) or, in selected cases, surgery-first. If you prefer to do your orthodontics in Medellín and travel here every 3 to 4 months for check-ups, orthodontics can be included in your quote.
• Imaging and other exams. They aren't done at the office. You book them yourself, whenever it suits you, at a separate center that has no connection with the practice. I only request the ones that change a decision.
• The consultation. It has a cost, which we confirm by WhatsApp before booking, and it is not deducted from your surgery quote.

How you receive your quote

Your quote is given in writing. Its validity period is stated on the document; it depends on the time of year, because suppliers adjust their prices every year.

Getting a quote from abroad, step by step

1. Message me on WhatsApp (+57 324 526 8748, messages only) and send the studies you already have, especially any CT scan, even if it's a few years old.
2. We book a virtual consultation on Google Meet, by WhatsApp, at a time that works in your time zone. Medellín is on Colombia time (COT, UTC−5), with no daylight saving changes.
3. The consultation. I review your bite, your jaws, your jaw joints (TMJ), your breathing and the proportions of your face; I listen to what bothers you and what you hope for, and I explain what I find and which paths exist. Sometimes the path isn't surgery, and if so, I'll tell you clearly.
4. Your written quote. If you have at least one CT scan, I can give you the quote after the virtual consultation. If not, I'll tell you which study is missing.
5. Planning your trip. If you decide to go ahead, ideally you stay in Medellín for 10 to 15 days after surgery. If you need it, my team helps with your travel logistics, and that support is included in your quote.

What to have ready

• X-rays, CT scans or other previous studies, even if they're years old. A CT scan is what makes a quote possible after the virtual consultation.
• Records or reports from your orthodontist, if you have them, and their name and contact details.
• A list of the medications you take.
• Any other surgical proposal you've already received. It's useful for the conversation.
• Your questions in writing, including the ones about cost and timing, so none go unanswered.

Plan your time, too

A quote isn't only about money; it's also about time. Time off work ranges from about one week for office work to about three months for high-impact activities. We use a fast-recovery protocol, but recovery times can't be promised: every body responds differently. Read what the first weeks look like in jaw surgery recovery, and if you're still figuring out whether surgery is right for you, start with orthognathic surgery in Medellín.

Frequently asked questions

The first step is a conversation

If you'd like to know what the plan for your case could look like, and your quote along with it, message me, wherever you are. No pressure and no commitment to surgery: first we understand, then you decide.

Message me on WhatsApp

+57 324 526 8748 (messages only, no calls)

Reviewed by Dr. Santiago Chaves · October 4, 2026