Spinal Surgery in Cancun

Spinal surgery is any surgical procedure performed to correct possible structural abnormalities. Surgeons can move, fix, decompress, and, if necessary, replace vertebral structures through spinal surgery. This is only considered when conservative, non-surgical treatments have not worked and the pain remains persistent, preventing patients from living a normal life and reducing their quality of life. Some common conditions that may require spinal surgery are spinal deformation, compression of the spinal cord, herniated discs, and tumors of the spinal cord, cauda equine syndrome, vertebral fractures, and degenerative disc disease.

There are numerous types of spinal surgery. The type of surgery you will receive depends on your disease or injury, the location, the level of damage, as well as your own characteristics. Some of the most common types of spinal surgery are as follows:

• Spinal fusion – during spinal fusion, your surgeon will join spinal bones (vertebrae) together to prevent pain caused by their movement against each other.
• Discectomy – your surgeon removes part of or the entire disc that slips out of place presses on a spinal nerve, and cause back pain.
• Laminectomy – most commonly used for lumbar spinal stenosis, this surgery involves the removal of parts of the bone, ligaments, or bone spurs in the back to relieve pressure on spinal nerves and ease the pain.
• Disc replacement – your surgeon removes the damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an artificial one.
• Foraminotomy – bones at the sides of your vertebrae is cut away to widen the space where nerves exit the spine. Like laminectomy, this is done to relieve pressure on a compressed nerve and ease pain.
• Interlaminar implant –a U-shaped device is implanted between two vertebrae in your lower back to ease pressure on your spinal nerves by keeping the space between the vertebrae open. This is a minimally invasive alternative to laminectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Cancun?

You may need to stay in Cancun for at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery to allow for your body to recover and attend follow-up checkups, if necessary. During the follow-up checkup, your overall condition will be monitored and the surgical stitches will be removed. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery depends on the specific disease/injury you have, the type of spinal surgery you underwent, and your overall health. If you are healthy and your job is not physically demanding, you may be allowed to go back to work within 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. However, it takes at least 3 to 4 months for the bones to heal, and healing can continue for at least a year. During this period, there might be some restrictions on your activity. Remember, the recovery period is just as important as the surgery.

What Aftercare is Required?

Following all the instructions and recommendations provided by your surgical team is important to avoid complications and speed up your recovery process. You may need physical therapy following your surgery, which is aimed to restore the strength of your spine and help you return to everyday activities gradually. In certain cases, you may also need regular checkups. You can choose to undergo physical therapy and/or regular checkup at home in your local hospital if you prefer.

What's the Success Rate?

The success rate of spinal surgery, in terms of pain relief, is around 70% to 90%, depending on the type of surgery and the condition treated. The success and safety rate of spinal surgery is higher than it used to be and will continue to increase, thanks to the continuous advancement of spinal surgery. For example, today, many types of spinal surgery can be done minimally invasively. This means that no long incisions are needed, leading to shorter operative and recovery times. Still, there are risks you need to be aware of, such as bleeding, infection, blood clots, and persistent pain.

Are there Alternatives?

Spinal surgery is only considered when other treatments have not worked. If you do not want surgery, make sure to discuss this with your doctor for the best possible alternative. When surgery is not needed, you may take a pain reliever or even try acupuncture to help relieve the pain. 

Spinal Surgery in and around Cancun

About Cancun

Occupying a coveted location on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Cancun stands as the country's top-tier coastal attraction. This city, best recognized for its sprawling 21 km stretch of pristine white sandy beaches, also presents exhilarating water-based recreational activities and a lively nocturnal scene.

Cancun is emerging as one of the most desirable destinations for medical tourism. It has world-class healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals. The city hosts two of the five JCI accredited hospitals in Mexico. Furthermore, Multi-million dollar ‘Health City' project is underway and the aim of the project is to establish the largest medical complex of its kind in the country.

Annually, Cancun welcomes thousands of individuals from various global corners seeking to undergo an array of medical procedures. Affordability remains a key attraction, with patients managing to save approximately 60-80% in total healthcare costs, inclusive of travel and accommodation. As an illustration, a bariatric surgery that could set you back by $25,000 in the US could be feasibly done in Cancun for a mere $600.

The gamut of medical procedures offered in this beach-front city spans across dental treatments, alternative therapies, aesthetic surgery, cardiac surgery, cosmetic surgeries, as well as obstetrics and gynecology. The most sought-after treatments are typically dental and cosmetic surgeries, largely undertaken at acclaimed centers such as Perfection Makeover and Laser Center, Cancun Dental Specialists, and Hospital Galenia.

Popular parts in Cancun

Cancun, a prominent resort city, can be broadly classified into two distinctly different areas: the Zona Hotelera Cancun and Cancun Downtown.

• Zona Hotelera Cancun

The area encompasses several suburbs. The zone lies on the 15-mile long sandbar just off the mainland. Beachfront luxury resorts, shopping malls, multi-cuisine restaurants, and lovely Caribbean beaches are the highlights of the area. The nightlife is exhilarating with glitzy bars and salsa clubs. You can enjoy the rotating observation deck on the scenic tower Cancun to enjoy the breath-taking view of the ocean and the city.

Tourists can indulge in a number of water sport activities including snorkeling, windsurfing, paragliding, scuba diving, and water skiing. The natural water park Xel-Ha is ideal for snorkeling.

Your trip will be incomplete without a visit to the age-old Mayan Museum. Cancun is the starting point for discovering Maya Riveria, which houses the world's second largest coral reef.

The picturesque island, Isle Mujeres is just a few miles off the coastal line and has pristine beaches. The world-famous underwater Museum, MUSA is an absolute visual treat for the tourists. The museum has over 500 stunning sculptures. You can admire their beauty from inside the glass bottom boats.

• Cancun downtown

The downtown portion of Cancun is characterized as a bustling hive of lively shops, diverse eateries, and spirited pubs. Tulum Avenue stands out as the primary and most attractive boulevard in the area, boasting an impressive assortment of handicraft shops, theatre venues, departmental stores, and shopping centers.

The city’s expansive open-air market, Mercado 28, enjoys popularity for its vendors specializing in silver jewelry and unique souvenirs. Yaxchilan Avenue, a street forever brimming with animated bars and restaurants, virtually never sleeps.

The residential architecture within Cancun downtown predominantly comprises of apartment complexes and villas.

Weather and Climate in Cancun

Endowed with the quintessential sun-soaked holiday weather, Cancun boasts a tropical savanna climate characterized by two distinct cycles: the dry season and the rainy season. Average temperatures generally oscillate between 23°C and 28°C. Dips below 21°C are fairly rare, just as surges above 34°C.

The optimal time to plan a visit to this city spans from November to April. This timeframe offers moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it an appealing period for a holiday. However, it's noteworthy that accommodation costs tend to hike significantly during these months.

1. Wet season: May to October and the city receives 984 mm rainfall during this season. Yet, during the day, you can enjoy plenty of sunshine. Short episodes of thunderstorms are more common and due to the less favorable climatic conditions, the inflow of tourists reduces during this season.
2. Dry season: November to April. The temperature is warm and it is the perfect time to swim. Occasional showers are common with a few cool and windy days.

Getting around in Cancun

It is easy to get around and navigate in Cancun, as most of the tourist attractions lie in the Zona Hotelera. Taxis, public buses and other means of transportation are available to cater to the needs of the locals and the tourists.

• Bus: Is the easiest and the cheapest way to get around. The one-way ticket can cost you somewhere between 0.50 cents to $1. The existing bus routes connect Zona Hotelera and Cancun downtown. You can visit all the locations on your bucket list by bus. Regional buses are available to travel from Cancun to other tourist towns.
• Taxis: They are not metered, so it is good to agree on the fare before departing. You can expect to pay $40-$50 if you are taking a taxi from the airport to downtown. Normally, inside the city, you need to pay somewhere between $10 and $25 per journey.
• Ferry: Ferry services are available to travel to nearby islands like the Isle of Mujeres. Ferries run at a frequency of 30 minutes and will cost around $19 for adults and $14 for kids for a return ticket.
• Flight: The second busiest airport of Mexico, Cancun International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the Zona Hotelera. Several domestic flights and International flights heading to the US, UK, and Europe operates from here.

Tourist Visa in Cancun

Visa requirements for Mexico:

Citizens of 67 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, the USA, UK, Spain, Japan, and more, are exempt from visas when visiting Mexico for up to 180 days.

Citizens of India, China, and Russia need to apply for a tourist visa in advance before traveling to Mexico. The tourist visa is valid for six months from the date of entry and can be extended for up to six months. The tourist visa fee is around $22 USD.

How to apply for a Mexican tourist visa:

You can apply for a Mexican tourist visa online or at a Mexican embassy or consulate. The online application process is relatively straightforward and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, and contact information. You will also need to upload a digital photo of yourself.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your visa within 5 to 10 business days.

Additional Information

1. Mexico is ethnically diverse. Spanish is the main language widely spoken here. However, you will notice locals conversing in Mayan with each other. There are 68 indigenous languages in Mexico. Most People in Cancun will speak English.
2. The Mexican peso (MXN) is the official currency of Mexico. As of October 11, 2023, 1 USD is equivalent to approximately 19.6 Mexican pesos. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, so it is best to check the latest rate before traveling.
3. ATM machines lie inside the premises of the bank. Money exchange booths are there to convert currencies. Traders accept both credit and debit cards.
4. Almost 89% of the population in Cancun are Catholics.
5. Public holidays in Cancun:​​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​New Year's Eve - January 1
• ​​​​​​​Christmas Day – December 25
• Revolution Day – Third Monday in November
• Independence Day – September 16
• Good Friday
• Constitution Day – First Monday of February