Please read through the following information carefully for the last details about your surgery holiday. If there is any additional information that you require, please contact your GG Manager prior to travel.

You may wish to print this handy reference during your stay in Mexico. Click here to download and print this as a PDF document.

Care in Mexico
All clients travelling to Mexico will have a dedicated Client Service Manager.
Your holiday includes all airport and medical transfers, including follow up appointments. If you would like Dental, LASIK, or pampering treatments, your service manager will also assist you in making the appointments and transfer you to/from your appointments.
We will confirm all appointments during your holiday, as they will depend on your how you feel and your recovery. Please note that we ask you to give as much notice as possible for all appointments and transfers, as surgeons, dentists and other services are usually extremely busy.
Your service manager is contactable 24 hours for emergencies during your time in Mexico, and you can also call our office in Canada - we have extended office hours, including weekends and evenings.

Cancun and Cozumel Airports
Clients can choose to fly into Cancun international or direct to Cozumel airport which is a 30 minute flight from Cancun International airport. Some clients like to arrive a few days earlier and spend the night in Cancun and take a flight to Cozumel or the ferry the next day.  Please ensure we have your details where you will be arriving to so we can make sure to greet you when you arrive in Mexico.

Mexico Entry Requirements
During your flight you should be given given two forms to fill out - one for Immigration (Tourist Card or FM-T) and another for Customs (Customs Declaration Form). It will speed up everyone's passage if you complete these before you land. However, if you don't receive the forms on the flight, extra copies are always available in the airport. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Mexico, but they do require a filled in tourist card.
When you enter Mexico, you will need proof of citizenship. These can be documents such as original birth certificate (must have a raised seal), a valid passport, or even naturalization papers. If you are using your birth certificate you must also have a current photo identification like a driver's license or an official ID.
It is required that you carry your Mexican Tourist Permit with you at all times. You will receive this after the Mexican border officials approve your proof of citizenship. The permit can be issued for up to 180 days. If you decide to stay longer you can have the requested time added to your tourist permit by visiting an official immigration office. You can not leave Mexico without this permit. Take care to keep your passport and tourist permit in a safe place while you are traveling. Do not have it where it can easily be taken by a would be pickpocket.
In the case that you are traveling with your children under the age of 18 where only one parent is going on the trip, then you will need to have a notarized letter from your spouse stating that they give you permission to take your children with you to Mexico.
When entering Mexico, custom officials will check your luggage for items that you are not allowed to bring into Mexico. You are of course, not allowed to bring in any type of illegal drugs or firearms. If you do have prescription drugs that you have to take with you, it would be best that you also have a copy of the prescription or a written letter from your physician. Also, do not carry more than you will need for you trip.
You are allowed to carry with you two cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 1 liter bottles of wine or liquor, 12 rolls of film, a laptop computer, camera and equipment, and even sports equipment. Do not try to bring anything into Mexico that looks like it could be resold such as 3 or 4 laptop computers. They will think that you are up to no good.
Please note that since January 8th 2007, all US citizens will need a passport for their Mexico visit. A drivers license and birth certificate are no longer valid forms of identification for a visit to Mexico when travelling by air. If you arrive at your departure airport without one, you will not be allowed to board.

Cancun Customs
Once you have passed immigration and have collected your bags you will now have to queue again to pass customs. All bags pass first pass through an electronic scanner and at this point you hand in your customs form and if you have 'nothing to declare' you will be invited to press a button which will show either a green or red light.
A green light indicates that you can pass whereas a red light will indicate that your bags will be hand searched. Searches are normally cursory unless of course something is discovered which may arise further suspicion, the list below indicates the most common restrictions:
•    Many food items - especially meats, plants, seeds, vegetables etc.
•    Cigars and cigarettes - more than 20 packs per person
•    Liquor and wine - more than 3 liters per person
•    Film or videocassettes - more than 12 rolls/cassettes
•    Medicine for personal use - you must have a prescription if you needed one to get the medicine in the first place

After Customs
The first thing you will notice is that there will be many people thronging the arrivals exit. There will be a mixture of porters, van drivers, travel reps, and people handing out vouchers and brochures. It can be a little daunting at first, but try to steer clear of the porters who want to carry your bags and a healthy tip will be expected.
Try not to get into lengthy conversations with people who are offering free trips or meals, these are timeshare sharks and there is no such thing as a free lunch. However, do look out for the ladies in Mayan dress handing out small plastic bags. These are filled with money off vouchers and useful maps and guides.

Arrival and Pick Up
After you collect your baggage and go through customs, you will come out through doors with a lot of people holding signs. Look for our driver holding a sign with your name on it. He will normally be standing on the left hand side.
Please do not leave the area until we/you find us, if you are unable to locate our driver, please call your service manager who will give you their dedicated number prior to departure.

You may be approached by other drivers asking for you to get a taxi, just politely decline them, saying that you are being picked up. Take no notice if a driver says that your driver is late and you need to get a taxi, these drivers are just trying to get your business. Instead, please call our office or your service manager if you have any problems locating our driver.

In Cancun, it will take you about 30 – 45 minutes to reach your hotel. If you are in Cozumel, it will take you about 15 – 20 minutes.

Depending on the time that you arrive, you will either be taken direct to the hospital for a consultation or to the hotel to check-in. Please check your itinerary although sometimes changes are made at short notice.
If you arrive before 3pm in Cancun or before 4pm in Cozumel, you will be taken to the hospital where our manager will meet you and take you for your consultation and tests with the surgeon.
If you arrive late at night, then your appointment will be the following day. Your manager will call you late morning (so you can sleep in!) to let you know the time of your consultation and pick up.

Welcome Meeting
On the day that you arrive, or the following day, your service manager will take you through your holiday - surgery, itinerary and other treatments that you would like.
Please use this time to confirm all details, times etc. as well as letting them know of other treatments or activities you would like to do so we can plan all appointments.

Important information on Surgeons
Cancun: Consultation cut off is 5pm, so for flights arriving in Cancun later than 4pm, your appointment will be the following day, even if the following day is your surgery day.
Cozumel: Consultation cut off is 4pm, so for flights arriving in Cozumel later than 3pm, your appointment will be the following day, even if the following day is your surgery day.
There is a possibility that surgeon time and even date may change occasionally due to emergencies or sickness. Post surgery appointment times can change as well.
If you come during the major holidays then please expect delays or lesser consultations than normal. You may check with your manager regarding the exact days for each year as it varies year to year.
When a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday is considered a statutory holiday; if a statutory holiday falls on Saturday, Friday will be considered statutory holiday. Please see this list of statutory holidays in Mexico.

Accommodation Package
Your holiday price covers your daily room (and breakfast only if specified), and hospital nights for the duration of your stay. If you are travelling independently, we advise you to check-out of your hotel room during your hospital stay for best security and also to save costs should your hospital stay be extended.
Extended stay in the hotel or hospital, additional meals, beverages, laundry, tour packages, pamper rejuvenation services or personal car hire will need to be paid directly to the hotel or service providers.

Photos
It is necessary to take before and after shots of the areas that are treated. These photos are a requirement for the surgeon's and GG records, so we can document your results. They will remain completely confidential. If you don't want them taken, or prefer them to be taken with swimsuit or bra, let me know, but I recommend you have them taken, as it is good reference for you as well.

Medical Compression Garments
For your comfort and better support and results, we will provide you with a medical compression garment. These garments are recommended by the surgeon to give you the best results, as liposuction and abdominoplasty needs compression to reduce swelling and lumps and bumps.
These are included in your package however some people choose to bring their own brand or garment from home.

Weather
Most of the time the weather in Mexico is beautiful. You can swim year-round, but you may have a specific climate in mind, which if travelling with your family may find most attractive for a vacation.
The average annual temperature of Mexico is 25.5 degrees Celsius [78 degrees F], with fluctuations of five to seven degrees. Frequent daytime highs range into the high eighties with periodic cloud coverage. However, everywhere is air conditioned, including taxis and the train, so the heat is not uncomfortable.

Packing
Tips for packing:
- Don't pack much, the shopping in great in Mexico and if you purchase too much, you will have to pay excess baggage
- Cancun is a warm and relaxed environment but it is recommended that you cover up with light clothing: t-shirts and long shorts, long skirts. Natural fibres and casual clothing is best, such as long cotton shirts and skirts are best to keep you cool.
- There is a laundry in the apartments, and room service laundry at your hotel.
- The hotel, and most indoors are all air-conditioned, so you can dress up when you go out.
- Cover-up is necessary to keep scars out of the sun: hats, sunscreen, scarves.
- If you are having any face treatments, bring a scarf for your head and face and big dark sunglasses for the first few days.

Passport Validity
Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months and over for entry into Mexico.

Vaccinations
There is no requirement or need to have any vaccinations before you depart, and it is recommended not to have any unnecessary medications that may delay your recovery.

Mexican Culture (please read - important)
Mexicans are extremely friendly people, and you will find they go out of their way to help you. However, you must be aware that their culture is different in some respects, especially in regards to the western understanding of time. You may find that they are not focused on specific appointment times, as they are people orientated rather than time orientated. Please be patient and understand that this is not a reflection on the quality, it is simply a cultural difference.
Along with this, your appointments may be changed at short notice, especially surgery consultations, due to emergency or extended surgeries that the surgeon may have to do. Do not worry about this as your appointment may just be delayed, not cancelled, and you will always get your consultation as soon as the surgeon becomes available. Most of our surgeons are accommodating and flexible; working at nights and on weekends, so you will always been seen, although not always given a specific time.
This flexibility is also beneficial to you, so you can make or change your appointment should you wish at short notice.

Before Surgery (advice from the surgeon)
Do not take Vitamin E, medication containing Aspirin (such as Motrin and Advil) which could result in excessive bleeding. Some dietary supplements - herbs, mixing herbal medications may cause similar problems.
It is important to stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. Smoking is known to delay healing since the blood supply to the skin is reduced. To minimize possible complications such as skin loss and big scarring, smokers must stop from using tobacco. Nicorette gum and nicotine patches release the harmful vasoconstrictor and cannot be used.
Do not eat or have any fluids the night before the surgery (you will be told by the surgeon what time you need to start fasting).

Please note our Shared Responsibility policy: We will work with you to reduce risks and recover as fast as possible, but we will need your full cooperation. Read more about this policy here.

Preparation for LASIK
If you wish to have LASIK procedure, please remove your contact lens before the procedure. The recommended length of time to remove your contact lens is:
Soft lens – 4 days before consultation
Semi hard lens – 10 days before consultation
Hard lens – 2 weeks before consultation

Pre and Post Care for Surgery
There are treatments and supplements that you can take before and after your surgery to assist in healing, and reduce swelling and bruising.
Please read our information here for advice on how to prepare for surgery and the treatments that you can take to reduce scarring and swelling:

What to take for your Hospital Stay
Wear loose, comfortable clothing especially if you need to accommodate drains for body surgeries. For facial surgeries, try to wear buttoned blouses/shirts, so you don’t need to pull clothing over your head.

Bring with you:

• Nightgown
• Toiletries: toothbrush and paste, towel
• No valuables, small amount of money needed only for snacks or drinks from hospital sundry shop
• Reading material – magazines, books
• Any medications
• Contact lenses or glasses
• Healthy snacks
• Bottled water (if you prefer to bring your own)

Currency and Payment
Mexican currency is the Peso but your  payment will be in $USD. In today’s electronic world the best way to get pesos is to use the ATM machines. You will find them in all the banks, some hotels, large grocery stores, and Sam's Wal-Mart, and Costco. (Yes, Sam's Wal-Mart and Costco is in Mexico)

Check with local bank before leaving home and make sure you have your debit card or credit card, both work fine – and don’t forget your pin number. If you have dollars and want to exchange them for pesos finding a place to exchange your money will never be a problem. Exchange booths "Casa de Cambio" are on nearly every block in downtown Cancun. Don't exchange at the hotels- you will get less pesos for your dollars. Many of the banks at their teller windows also exchange dollars for pesos and give good rates. And always count the money before you send it into to the person making the exchange and ask for a receipt.

The Cancun Airport is also a good place to exchange money. You can get pesos here on arrival and exchange your leftover pesos for dollars on the way out. We do not recommend that pay for anything in Cancun in dollars. You will lose every time on the exchange rate. Tipping in dollars is OK.

Prices: All surgery and treatment prices quoted are for planning purposes only to assist you in budgeting. These prices are for standard, non-complicated cases, based on the information that you have given. Prices can change if you have not given an accurate picture of yourself, if you have not provided accurate medical information which will affect your surgery, or if you decide to change your surgery treatments because the surgeon feels a different procedure is more appropriate, at the time of consultation e.g. a more or less extensive tummy tuck. Please take into consideration that any different or additional surgery, nights in hospital, medications, personal nursing must be paid to the hospital at the time of care.

Payment: Full payment is required direct to the hospital after your consultation. Payment can be made in advance via foreign exchange , wire transfer or Credit Card. Your bank may impose its own credit card fees and/or currency conversion rates. Please contact your credit card issuer to find out more information about these charges.

If you are planning to pay by credit card, please check with your bank before traveling to Mexico that you have enough credit, and also inform them that you are traveling so they do accept the transaction.

This both smoothes the payment process and gives you peace of mind, and also ensure that your surgery goes ahead as planned. If payment in full is not made the hospital reserves the right not to go ahead with surgery. There are no fees placed on credit cards by the hospital, although your bank may impose its own credit card fees and/or currency conversion rates. Please contact your credit card issuer to find out more information about these charges.

Traveler’s cheques are generally not advised as they attract the highest fees. The hospital cannot change traveler’s cheques, but we can take you to a nearby bank to change these, but we cannot guarantee the fees and exchange rate that you will get. Cash gets a far better exchange rate, but credit card is the safest to take.

The prices are all inclusive of the surgical procedure, anticipated hospital costs and follow up consultations. Take home medication at the time of discharge is included in the package, however if you require any diagnostic tests or additional medication, including additional cream for applying at the surgery site, sleeping medication or hypertension or diabetic medication or antibiotics, please pay for these direct to the hospital.

If you stay longer in the hospital than advised by your surgeon e.g. you feel more comfortable and secured with a night or two more in hospital, you will be required to pay for additional hospital nights.

Exchange rate: The final amount that you pay in your currency is subject to the exchange rate of the day. Please check the exchange rate regularly before departure to budget for your surgery. GG only offers an exchange rate at the time of booking, which may differ from the time that you make actual payment. The hospital and GG are not responsible for differences in exchange rates with what is originally quoted at booking to the time that payment is made.
:Here is the link to the currency converter which you can check again.

Change only a small amount of money before your surgery, just to cover small expenses, your garments, and meals you want in the first days. After your surgery you can change more money at the hotel or in the shopping centres. Nearly everywhere takes credit card – Visa or Mastercard. For shopping however, you will need cash shopping in the markets or taking taxis or the monorail.
Please note that American Express (AMEX) is not widely accepted in the shops, except for major shopping malls.

Hospital Rooms and Upgrades
Your package price includes your hospital stay, in a single, private ward. You may choose to upgrade to a better room before you depart.
In this case, simply contact your manager and let them know what grade of room that you would like. This will then be added to your package price when you pay direct to the hospital.

Non-Surgical Treatments
There are lots of other treatments that you can have throughout your holiday. Most prices for these are 50-75% of the prices that you pay at home.
If you would like a consultation, please ask your manager at your welcome briefing. Your service managers can make you appointments for:
•    Dental
•    LASIK
•    Chiropracter
•    Skin treatments - Peels, Botox, Thermage, Laser
•    Vitamin injections
•    Optical - glasses
•    Beauty - hair, wigs and hair extensions, waxing and laser hair removal, facials and massages, reflexology etc.

Please note:
There may be a consultation fee chargedfor specialist consultations.
- You will be chauffeured to your appointment, but Customer Service Managers do not accompany to non-surgical appointments, only surgical.
- Before beginning any treatment, the specialist will provide you with a formal quote which you need to agree with before starting. If you don't get one, please request this. It is important to confirm the price before treatment begins.

Post-Operative "Depression"
After surgery, it is completely natural to have a couple of 'down' days. The day following your operation is usually a low day because of the effects of anaesthesia or medications. A lot of our patients experience times of depression and of sadness or anxiety during in the recovery period. This is not surprising as you may be bedridden, bruised and swollen. Also, the period of adrenaline prior to surgery is now gone, so some people are drained after the anticipation stress goes. Also, you may have expected to feel and look better immediately. These feeling are completely normal.

Every person differs with their pain and discomfort, but most people will have a hard couple of days immediately after surgery. There are some remedies that can help you feel better again. Drinking plenty of water helps greatly with recovery, as does the herbal supplement "Arnica".  It is important to get moving as soon as you can.

Finally, just being aware that you will go through these feelings will make you better able to cope in the situation, so if you feel depressed, understanding that this is a "natural" phase of the healing process helps tremendously. If you need extra support, speak with our support team, or your surgeon.

GG Warranty and Disclaimer
Most clients feel quite nervous before they travel and they start to relax when they see the quality of the hospital, and also meet our team, surgeons and nurses.
In general, if you have realistic expectations about your surgery, if you understand that some side effects are usual eg. scarring, swelling and pain, and if you also have a healthy body opinion, then you will be pleased with your surgery results.

Preconditions and Risks
Please be aware that all surgery carries a risk, you must be aware of these risks before embarking on any type of surgery. Please read about surgery risks here.

Terms and Conditions
You must take the risks of the outcome of the surgery, as GG are an organizer of tours. While every effort is ensured that care is taken, we cannot be responsible for service providers or surgery outcomes. Please do read our Terms and Conditions which you will be asked to sign prior to surgery:
http://www.gorgeousgetaways.com/terms-conditions.html

Cancellation Policies
There are no surgery cancellation charges if you decide not to go ahead with surgery, but if you decide to cancel or return home early, there are some fair cancellation charges:
•    All accommodation bookings must be paid in full, 14 days in advance of check-in date. Bookings not paid for will be cancelled with the surgeon and accommodation
•    Where a cancellation is received in writing over 14 days of arrival; a penalty of 5 nights accommodation will be forfeited + bank and/or credit card fees. Otherwise, if you choose to rebook at a later date, the payment will be a credit towards your holiday, the cancellation fee will be waived and the balance put in credit towards the next booking

•    Where a cancellation is received in writing within 14 days of arrival; a penalty of 7 nights accommodation will be forfeited + bank and/or credit card fees. Otherwise, if you choose to rebook at a later date, the payment will be a credit towards your holiday, the cancellation fee will be reduced to 1 night forfeit and the balance put in credit towards the next booking

•    Where a cancellation is received less than 48 hours before the time of arrival, or in the case of a ‘no show’ the full accommodation charge will be forfeited + bank and/or credit card fees. If you choose to rebook at a later date, the payment will be a credit towards your holiday, and the cancellation fee will be reduced to 3 nights forfeited and the balance put in credit towards the next booking

•    Once travel commences, there are no refunds with accommodation should you want to upgrade or downgrade, or if you decide to return home early. We will assist you with changes and transfers to your booking, however there will not be refunds.

Interested to tell your story?
As you are probably well aware, embarking on a surgery holiday is fraught with nerves and anxieties, and most people love to read past accounts of people who have travelled with us on a surgery holiday.
We would appreciate it if you could answer some questions about your experience so other people can read your story. You are able to change your name, but you would need to agree to the publishing of your before and after photos (which you can select, no nudity is required). Your story and will only published to the Gorgeous Getaways website, and sent out to people who are interested in booking a similar surgery holiday. Your details will not be given or sold to any other company without your prior consent.
This offer is based on selection, as we only can offer this to a couple of people per month, but if you would like to apply for this, please let your manager know when you arrive on your holiday.
Payment is $100 after your story has been submitted with follow up photos when you have returned home. You may submit your story here.

Contact numbers
Please make important note of these contact numbers and give them to your family and friends:

Ms Christine Webster at christine'at'gorgeousgetaways.com

Gorgeous Getaways Canada Office: 1-800-680-0594 or 1-780-757-7772

For accommodation in Cancun:
Ambiance Suites: 1-998 892 0392
B2B Hotel & Plaza: 1-800-230-4134
La Quinta Inns & Suites: 1- 998 872 9400

For accommodation in Cozumel:
Coral Princess: +52 (987) 872 3200
Park Royal: 011- 52 (987) 872-0700
Casa Mexicana: 1-800-227 2639
Playa Azul Cozumel: +52 (987) 869 5160

For accommodation in Merida City:
Meson De La Luna: (999) 930 6999

For hospital in Cancun:
Amerimed: +52 (998) 881 3400
Galenia Hospital: +52 (998) 891 5200

For hospital in Cozumel:
Costamed Clinica: (987) 872 9400

If you have any more questions prior to travelling, please contact your manager or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 C lick here to download and print this as a PDF docum ent.