Verify credentials and experience
Board certification, hospital privileges, and years of focused practice in the specific procedure you are considering.
The Patient Guide
Planning Your Surgery
A practical guide to preparing for surgery, traveling to Brazil, and recovering with confidence.
A Quiet Roadmap
Considered preparation is the first act of healing.
This guide is for patients quietly preparing for one of the most personal journeys of their life. We've gathered the questions to ask, the documents to bring, the small details that bring peace of mind — written from years of welcoming international guests into our recovery home.
- 01Choosing the Right Surgeon
- 02Learn From Real Patients
- 03Planning Your Timeline
- 04Taking Time Off Work
- 05Why Recovery Matters
- 06Hotel vs Airbnb vs Recovery Home
- 07Arriving in Brazil
- 08What to Pack
- 09Nutrition & Healing
- 10How We Support Our Guests
Chapter OneThe Decision
Choosing the right surgeon.
No decision shapes your outcome more than this one. Take your time, and let evidence — not aesthetics — guide you.
Look beyond social media
Polished feeds are marketing. Seek out unfiltered before-and-afters and ask what a typical outcome — not the best one — looks like.
Review healed results
Request photos at six and twelve months post-op. Early results can look very different from final healed outcomes.
Communication and responsiveness
How a surgeon's team handles questions before surgery is often how they will care for you afterwards.
Trust your instincts
If something feels rushed, dismissive, or transactional, give yourself permission to keep looking.
Ask thoughtful questions
What are the risks specific to my anatomy? What does revision look like? Who covers my care if complications arise?
Consultation Checklist
Questions to ask during your consultations
- How many of this exact procedure do you perform each year?
- Can I see healed results from patients with a similar body or feature to mine?
- What are the realistic risks and possible complications?
- What does your post-operative follow-up include while I'm in Brazil?
- Where will my surgery be performed, and what is the hospital's accreditation?
- What is your revision policy if I need additional work?
- Who do I contact if I have an urgent question after I return home?
- What recovery timeline do you recommend for someone traveling internationally?
Chapter TwoResearch
Learn from real patients.
The best research is rarely on a surgeon's own website. It lives in the quiet corners of patient communities, where stories are told without polish.
Speak with former patients
Many surgeons will connect you with past patients on request. Hearing about real recoveries — the easy days and the hard ones — is invaluable.
Read patient experiences
Look for detailed accounts that describe the full arc of recovery, not only the result.
Research patient communities
Reddit, private forums, and procedure-specific groups often surface candid feedback you won't find on a surgeon's own pages.
Look for patterns, not single voices
One glowing review or one bad story tells you little. Patterns across many voices tell you almost everything.
Chapter ThreeThe Calendar
Planning your timeline.
A gentle, well-paced plan removes the pressure of last-minute decisions and gives your body and mind room to prepare.
Phase 01
Several Months Before
- Research surgeons and shortlist your top choices
- Schedule virtual or in-person consultations
- Begin gathering medical history and any imaging
Phase 02
One to Three Months Before
- Confirm your surgeon and procedure
- Request time off work and arrange support at home
- Book recovery accommodations and flights
Phase 03
One to Two Weeks Before
- Prepare documents, prescriptions and copies of records
- Pack recovery essentials and compression garments
- Confirm airport and appointment transportation
Chapter FourThe Calendar, Continued
Taking time off work.
Healing is biological — it does not negotiate with your calendar. Plan in real recovery time, not the minimum you can get away with.
Plan generously
Recovery timelines vary by procedure and by surgeon. Where possible, give yourself more time than the minimum recommended.
Allow for rest after returning
The first week home is often the most underestimated. Build in quiet days before resuming meetings or travel.
Avoid major commitments
Weddings, conferences and large social events soon after surgery rarely feel as enjoyable as they sound on paper.
Chapter FiveThe Truth
Why recovery matters.
Surgery is one chapter. Recovery is the long, quieter one that shapes how the story actually ends.
Swelling
Often peaks days after surgery, not on the day itself.
Fatigue
A natural part of the body redirecting energy toward healing.
Mobility limits
Simple movements may feel different for weeks.
Emotional waves
Highs and lows are common and entirely normal.
Rest and support
Both quietly determine the quality of your result.
“Surgery lasts a few hours. Recovery lasts much longer.”
Chapter SixThe Comparison
Hotel, Airbnb, or recovery home?
Each option suits a different kind of trip. The differences matter most in the first ten days, when comfort, care and quiet are not amenities — they are essentials.
What's included
Hotel
Airbnb
Recovery Home
Airport & appointment transportation
Meal support tailored to recovery
Daily assistance with mobility & care
Appointment coordination
Recovery-focused environment
Translation & cultural support
Limited
Privacy and discretion
Limited
Limited
Peace of mind for loved ones
Chapter SevenThe Arrival
Arriving in Brazil.
The first hours in a new country, especially before surgery, should feel calm and cared for. A little preparation goes a long way.
Travel preparation
Confirm your passport validity, any necessary visa, and travel insurance that covers post-operative care.
Airport arrival
International arrivals at GRU São Paulo move quickly through immigration with proper documentation in hand.
Important documents
Keep your passport, surgeon's letter, medical records and accommodation details together in one folder.
Transportation planning
Pre-arranged transportation removes the stress of navigating a new city tired from a long flight.
A note from our team: Guests staying with us are welcomed at the airport and accompanied through arrival, with transportation directly to the recovery home whenever applicable.
Chapter EightThe Suitcase
What to pack.
A small, considered suitcase is far more comfortable than a heavy one you must lift after surgery.
Passport
Identification
Medical records
Medications
Comfortable clothing
Compression garments
Chargers & adapters
Slip-on shoes
Recovery essentials
Chapter NineThe Table
Nutrition & healing.
What you eat in the weeks after surgery quietly shapes how you feel and how well you heal.
Protein
The raw material your body uses to repair tissue. Steady, daily intake matters more than any single meal.
Hydration
Quietly powerful. Hydration supports circulation, reduces swelling, and helps medication work as intended.
Balanced nutrition
Whole foods, gentle fibre, anti-inflammatory ingredients — small choices, repeated daily.
Dietary preferences, allergies, and restrictions are warmly accommodated. Our meals are prepared in-house, with care for both your healing and your comfort.
Chapter TenOur Care
How we support our guests.
Comfort, safety and peace of mind, woven into every day. Quiet care that anticipates needs before they're asked.
Airport transportation
A familiar face at arrivals and a smooth ride to the home.
Appointment transportation
We coordinate every visit to your surgeon and clinic.
Nursing support
Hands-on care from trained recovery nurses when you need it.
Laundry service
Quiet, daily care for garments and linens.
Nutritious meals
Prepared in-house with your recovery in mind.
Translation assistance
Comfortable communication with your medical team.
Personalized support
Adjusted to your procedure, energy and preferences.
Wellness & recovery services
Gentle, recovery-appropriate practices to soothe body and mind.
A Warm Invitation
Have questions about planning your recovery?
Our team is happy to help you understand the process, answer your questions, and determine whether our recovery home is the right fit for your needs.