Before you commit to anything, you deserve real answers. Here are the questions international patients ask us most often, from pre-op preparation to what happens after you fly home.
CuraVita coordinates second-opinion consultations with multiple top Miami spine surgeons — at no extra cost. Send us your MRI or imaging reports and current diagnosis, and we'll schedule consultations with the right specialists. Most second opinions happen within 3–5 business days of receiving your records.
Look for three things: board certification (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurological Surgery), fellowship training in spine surgery specifically, and case volume. CuraVita pre-vets every surgeon in our network — we only work with surgeons who perform 200+ spine procedures per year and have complication rates below the national average. We'll walk you through the options with full transparency.
Standard pre-op requirements include blood work (complete blood count, metabolic panel, coagulation profile), a chest X-ray, EKG, and any imaging already completed (MRI, CT, X-ray). Your surgeon may also require additional tests based on your medical history. CuraVita coordinates all testing — many can be done locally before you arrive in Miami, so your trip is focused on the consultation and surgery, not waiting for lab results.
Some medications must be stopped before surgery. Blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, etc.) typically need to be paused 5–10 days before surgery. NSAIDs should be stopped 5–7 days before. Never stop prescription medications without your surgeon's approval — call your prescribing doctor first. CuraVita's care coordinator reviews your medication list before you travel and gives you a personalized pre-op medication plan.
At minimum: confirm your surgery date and pre-op appointment, arrange a travel companion (you cannot fly solo within 2 weeks of surgery), notify your employer, and organize someone to help you at home for the first 1–2 weeks after returning. CuraVita handles everything else — airport transfers, hotel coordination, hospital admission, translator services. We send you a complete pre-travel checklist 30 days before your trip.
Yes. CuraVita's initial consultation is free — no obligation. We'll review your records, answer your questions, and provide a cost estimate. If we aren't the right fit for your situation, we'll tell you that too. We're confident in what we offer, so we don't charge to have a conversation.
It depends on the procedure. Minimally invasive microdiscectomy: 1–2 nights. Laminectomy or foraminotomy: 1–3 nights. Spinal fusion: 2–4 nights. Artificial disc replacement: 1–2 nights. Your surgeon will give you an expected length of stay at your pre-op consultation. CuraVita's hospital liaison ensures your room is ready, your family can visit freely, and discharge planning starts on day one.
Yes. CuraVita arranges private or semi-private hospital rooms with space for a family member to stay. Many of our partner hospitals have flexible visitor policies for international patients. We coordinate with the hospital admissions team before you arrive so your room setup is ready on day one — no administrative delays.
Absolutely. CuraVita's entire model is built around international patients — the majority of our patients come from Latin America. We provide a dedicated care coordinator who speaks Spanish, arrange bilingual medical interpreters for all consultations and surgery discussions, and can translate all medical documentation. You will never be in the dark about your care.
Yes. CuraVita coordinates with partner hospitals to offer private and semi-private rooms for international patients. Private rooms include dedicated space for a family companion, better sleep environment, and more privacy during your recovery. Let us know your preference and we'll arrange it before you arrive.
Recovery timelines vary by procedure. Microdiscectomy: return to light activity in 2–4 weeks, full activity in 6–8 weeks. Laminectomy/foraminotomy: light activity in 4–6 weeks, full activity in 8–12 weeks. Spinal fusion: walking by week 2, light activity at 6 weeks, full recovery in 6–12 months. Your CuraVita care coordinator schedules physical therapy appointments and monitors your progress throughout.
Most patients can fly home 7–14 days after surgery for short-haul flights (under 4 hours). For spinal fusion or international flights over 6 hours, we typically recommend waiting 3–4 weeks. CuraVita coordinates with your surgeon on a flight-clearance assessment and can arrange medical escort services for longer flights if needed. We monitor your post-op progress and clear you for travel only when it's safe.
Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience: fever over 101°F (38.3°C), increasing redness or drainage from the incision, severe or worsening pain not controlled by medication, new weakness or numbness in your legs or arms, loss of bowel/bladder control, or chest pain or difficulty breathing. CuraVita's care coordinator is on call 24/7 during your recovery — you'll never wait until Monday morning to report a complication.
Most patients begin physical therapy 2–6 weeks post-surgery. CuraVita arranges in-person PT sessions in Miami before you travel home, so your therapist understands your specific case. We also coordinate with PT providers in your home country to ensure uninterrupted recovery. Your PT plan is personalized — it typically includes core strengthening, gait training, and progressive mobility exercises.
CuraVita maintains a 90-day post-op support window after you return home. Your care coordinator can arrange remote consultations with your surgeon, help you find local medical follow-up if needed, and coordinate any additional imaging or testing. We're your point of contact — not a call center. You'll speak with the same person who managed your care in Miami.
CuraVita's coordination fee covers surgeon matching and consultation scheduling, pre-op coordination (records, testing, medication review), hospital admission and room arrangement, airport and local ground transfers, bilingual care coordinator available throughout your stay, translator services at all medical appointments, physical therapy scheduling and coordination, luxury recovery accommodation arrangements, and post-op follow-up support for 90 days after surgery. Medical fees (surgeon, hospital, anesthesia) are billed separately by the providers.
CuraVita is a private-pay concierge service — we do not bill insurance directly. However, many international patients find that out-of-pocket costs in Miami are still lower than their insurance deductible + copay in their home country after accounting for the quality of care. We can provide itemized cost estimates and supporting documentation for patients who wish to submit claims to their private insurance or travel insurance provider.
Coordinating surgery yourself means navigating a foreign healthcare system in a foreign language, while managing airline schedules, hotel reservations, hospital admissions, translator scheduling, and follow-up care — all while recovering from surgery. CuraVita handles all of that. Our surgeon network is pre-vetted, our logistics are already integrated with partner hospitals, and we have a dedicated Spanish-speaking coordinator who stays with you from first call to 90 days post-op. The cost of our service is offset by the time and stress we save — and by avoiding the mistakes that can happen when international patients try to coordinate complex surgical care alone.
We accept bank transfers, wire transfers, and major credit cards for CuraVita's coordination fee. For medical provider fees (surgeon, hospital), our partner providers accept the same methods. We can arrange payment plans for the coordination fee in certain cases. A deposit is required to hold your surgery date; the balance is due before or at admission.
Our care coordinators are available to answer anything not covered here.
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