From $20,000 contouring surgery in Poland to facial restructuring in China at a 7-star medical spa, cosmetic surgery services and luxury medical tourism are gaining in popularity across the globe.

With the current tough economy, it can be attractive to look at opportunities to combine a surgery and luxurious vacation as a lower-cost package than a procedure in the United States, medical tourism experts say.

"As new cosmetic and plastic surgeries come out, it's advantageous for the patient," said Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association, which counts 100 countries within its organization. "You can have a surgery for the same high quality -- but at 50 percent to 90 percent less -- and take the vacation you never thought you could afford. It's a huge trend and the tourism of the future."

All surgeries need to be carefully considered as a serious medical procedure, said Dr. Steven Svehlak, who operates a plastic surgery practice in Los Angeles.

"If you do your homework and take your time to research these doctors and facilities," Svehlak said, "than you will be able to find reputable places to go to. But you need to be extremely careful."

Ref: http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/medical-tourism-bargain-plastic-surgery-luxe/story?id=14372305