I had FFS with Dr. DiMaggio in Buenos Aires (a year ago) and money was tight for me, too. My circumstance was a bit unfortunate, so the entire trip cost me around $2,600, but it could have been much cheaper:
- Reserving a plane ticket ~6 months in advance is about $600.
- You can rent a place for four weeks, in DiMaggio's recommended neighborhoods, for about $700. Maybe even less. These are places that include utilities and internet.
- Food and travel expenses for four weeks are probably about $200-500, depending on you. I remember taking a taxi across the city was something like $5 for me, and I spent, at most, $50 a week on groceries.
I could definitely see someone getting by on $1,600.
If you're wondering why my trip was much more expensive, it's because I set it up with a companion in mind. I ended up buying a two week out plane ticket around their schedule ($1,300), a fancyish flat in the party district for 6 weeks ($1,000), and the rest went to food - which I bought at the very expensive grocer nearby - as well as taxis.
I imagine that DiMaggio would charge more than usual for surgeries done state-side. You may end up saving money by going to Buenos Aires, but I honestly don't know. I didn't have a clue that he did surgeries in the US, so anyone's guess is really as good as mine.
I hope it all pans out for you.
