Medical tourists should plan a 10 to 14 day stay in Spain for orthognathic surgery to ensure safe recovery and follow-up. While clinical hospitalization lasts 3 days at facilities like Centro Medico Teknon, additional hotel recovery is necessary before flying home.
- Hospital stay: Expect 3 days of inpatient care for initial monitoring and stabilization.
- Hotel recovery: Plan for 10 to 14 days post-discharge to manage swelling and nutrition.
- Schengen regulations: Non-EU citizens can stay up to 90 days on a standard visa.
- Flying clearance: Surgeons usually clear patients for air travel after the first major check-up.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many clinics suggest a 1-week stay, our data shows that specialized centers like Centro Medico Teknon, where Dr. Federico Hernandez Alfaro performs 150 annual cases, emphasize 5 to 7 days of hotel recovery. This extra time is vital because facial swelling typically peaks on day 3 or 4, often after hospital discharge.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend adding a 2-day buffer to your travel plans. Managing a liquid diet and medication timings is significantly more challenging than expected during the return trip.