SAN ANTONIO - The story of the young Dallas woman who recently died after traveling to Mexico for plastic surgery is continuing to spread, and it has doctors opening up to share a message.

• Laura Avila died following plastic surgery in Mexico 
• San Antonio doctor says traveling to another country for surgery comes with risks
• Insurance often won't cover surgery performed out of the country 

"It just breaks my heart. My heart goes out to the family. It is so sad and so tragic," said Dr. Connie Hiers.

Hiers has been a plastic surgeon for 33 years. She says the story of Laura Avila is spreading through the medical community.

"I don't know all the details of the story," she said. 

But Hiers does know that that usually a healthy person doesn't go from being vibrant and full of life to being a remembrance in the hearts of her loved ones.

"Here in the U.S. we have such great doctors. Even in Dallas there are fantastic doctors," she said.

Hiers says this story tells a sad but overlooked lesson about crossing the border for plastic surgery.

"I personally in my training actually spent a little time in Mexico. We would go down four times a year. We would bring all of our equipment though," she said.

She says there are some excellent doctors in Mexico, but simply traveling to another country in general is a risk.

"Cheaper is not always better," Hiers said.

According to the organization Patients Beyond Borders, researchers estimate up to 1.1 million people travel to Mexico for surgery and cost savings can anywhere from 40 percent to 65 percent cheaper compared to the US.

"If there are complications since they did their surgery out of country, some insurances won't touch them. Most insurances don't cover out of country expenses," Hiers said. 

We obtained a statement from the attorney representing Laura's family: 

"Laura was a beautiful woman, powerful and full of life. She had the best of life in front of her until this tragic, unfortunate and senseless death. So that her death is not in vain, people should think of Laura before they look for cross border discount surgery. They should do their homework and investigate the experience, training and track record of anyone BEFORE they sign up. We need to shed light on the injuries suffered by Americans seeking treatment in other Countries. Many people have come forward to tell me their tragic experiences." 

Larry Friedman,
Attorney for Laura Avila