Frequently Asked Questions

On an escorted tour to India or Mexico, I travel with you personally from Auckland Airport. I organise and book your flights (as a fully qualified TAANZ bonded travel agent), your hotel accommodation, all airport and hospital transfers, your surgery booking, and all pre-operative coordination. In India, our on-ground partners IndiCure handle all local coordination and also assist with your visa. In Mexico, everything including your hotel stay in San Diego, transfers to Tijuana, and your hospital nights are included. Prices vary by destination and package — contact me for a personalised quote. Please note: escorted tours run with a minimum of five passengers.

Absolutely — and many of my clients do. Having someone with you is wonderful, both for emotional support and for the practical realities of recovery. In Mexico, companions stay with you at the hospital during your recovery nights, and this is absolutely accommodated. In India, partners join the group and are warmly welcome. There may be an additional cost for a companion — this will be included in your personalised quote.

Yes, absolutely. Independent travel is available for all three destinations. In Thailand, this is now the only option I offer (I no longer run escorted group tours there). For India and Mexico, you can also choose to travel independently — I organise all your surgery, accommodation, flights, and transfers, and arrange a Zoom consultation with your surgeon beforehand, but you travel on your own schedule. Contact me to discuss which option suits you best.

The earlier the better — particularly for escorted group tours, which run four times a year to India and four times a year to Mexico. I recommend enquiring at least 3–6 months before your preferred travel date to allow time for your initial consultation, any pre-operative requirements, visa applications (for India), and travel bookings. That said, if you have a more urgent timeline, please contact me and we will see what is possible.

Yes — for all destinations, I arrange a Zoom video consultation with your surgeon before you travel. This is your opportunity to ask every question you have, review your options, discuss your medical history, and feel completely confident before you commit to anything. In India, IndiCure also reviews your case and connects you with the right specialist for your specific procedure. You will never arrive somewhere without having spoken to your surgeon first.

Your surgical team will ask for a full medical history, a list of all current medications and supplements, any previous surgical procedures, and details of any existing health conditions. For some procedures — particularly bariatric surgery — you may also be asked to provide recent blood tests or other diagnostic results. For cosmetic surgery, you will typically be asked to submit photos of the area you wish to have treated so the surgeon can assess your case and provide an accurate quote. I will guide you through exactly what is needed for your specific procedure.

Yes — and this is very important. Blood-thinning medications, including certain vitamins and supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, garlic supplements, and aspirin, must typically be stopped at least two weeks before surgery. Your surgical team will provide you with a specific list based on your individual medications and procedure. Please be completely honest with your surgeon about everything you take — including herbal products and vitamins. This information is what keeps you safe.

Yes — and not just standard travel insurance. Standard New Zealand travel insurance policies do not cover elective surgery overseas. You need specialist medical travel insurance, and I strongly recommend arranging this before you travel. I work with Global Protective Solutions, who offer a policy specifically designed for medical tourists. Their cover includes the procedure and any complications for up to six months after your procedure date — including care back in New Zealand. You can enrol through my dedicated link at www.globalprotectivesolutions.com/enroll/bumstumsgums.

It depends on your procedure. As a general guide: cosmetic surgery such as a facelift or breast augmentation typically requires 10–14 days overseas before you are cleared to fly. Bariatric surgery in Mexico requires a minimum of 5–6 nights post-procedure before airlines will allow you to board (a fit-to-fly certificate is arranged by your surgical team). Orthopaedic surgery such as a knee or hip replacement typically requires 2–3 weeks before you are comfortable to travel. Your surgeon will give you a specific recommendation based on your individual procedure and recovery. Please do not book a return flight that is too soon — your recovery and safety come first.

This is something I take very seriously. All of the hospitals I work with provide documentation and discharge summaries that your New Zealand GP or specialist can work from. Your Global Protective Solutions insurance policy covers complications for up to six months after your procedure date — including care you receive back in New Zealand. Your surgical team in India, Thailand, or Mexico remains contactable for follow-up questions. And of course, I am always available as a point of contact to help you navigate any concerns. You are not on your own once you get home.

This is one of the most common concerns I hear — and it is completely understandable. The surgeons I work with are known for natural, balanced results. They are not in the business of creating extreme or obviously surgical-looking outcomes. The aim is always to make you look like a refreshed, rested version of yourself — not to make it obvious that you have had anything done. I would also gently say: I have had a facelift, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and bariatric surgery myself. I walk the talk. If you want to know what the results can genuinely look like, ask me.

Most patients lose 60–80% of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery. But I always tell people — the number on the scale is just the beginning. What changes is everything else. The energy. The mobility. Blood sugar normalising. Sleep apnoea resolving. Joint pain easing. The ability to do things with your family that you couldn't do before. Long-term success requires commitment to the dietary and lifestyle changes your surgical team will guide you through — and with 12 months of online nutritionist access included in the Mexico package, you have support well beyond the operating theatre.

Significantly cheaper — and I mean significantly. As a general guide: cosmetic surgery such as a facelift in India can cost a fraction of the NZ private rate. Orthopaedic surgery such as a knee replacement in India starts from around NZD $10,100 compared to NZD $25,000–$35,000+ privately in New Zealand. Bariatric surgery in Mexico starts from USD $4,499 (approximately NZD $7,650) all-inclusive, compared to NZD $21,000–$35,000 privately in New Zealand. Dental treatment in Thailand can be 70–80% less than New Zealand prices. Please visit the relevant destination pages on this website for detailed pricing, or contact me for a personalised quote.

India: Yes — a medical visa is required, and I organise this for all clients travelling with my tours. We use a simple Google Form linked to our partners at IndiCure, who handle the official High Commission application on your behalf. Please see the India Visa page on this website for full details and the step-by-step guide.

Thailand: Entry requirements vary depending on passport, purpose of travel and current Thai immigration rules. Jackie will advise you of the appropriate entry requirements before travel.

Mexico: No — New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for stays under 180 days. No visa is required for Mexico travel.

I believe very strongly in transparent, no-surprise pricing. All surgical costs I quote are based on information provided by your surgeon after reviewing your photos and medical history. For bariatric surgery in Mexico, additional costs that may arise during surgery — such as hernia repair (USD $700) or scar tissue removal (USD $500) — are clearly disclosed in advance and only charged if the surgeon finds these conditions during your procedure. For cosmetic and orthopaedic surgery, your surgeon provides a personalised quote before you commit. I always recommend asking for a written quote that outlines exactly what is and is not included before you confirm anything.

Of course it's normal — in fact, I would be more worried if you weren't at least a little nervous! This is a big decision. You are travelling to another country for surgery. Of course there are nerves involved. What I can tell you is that feeling nervous and making a well-informed, carefully considered decision are not mutually exclusive. The clients who do best are the ones who ask the most questions, do the most research, and then make the decision that is right for them — not the decision that anyone else made for them. I am here to help you get to that point. I can answer your questions, connect you with past clients who have been through the same journey, walk you through every step, and be there with you when you arrive. You will not be doing this alone. And on the other side of those nerves is something that, for most of my clients, turns out to be one of the best decisions they ever made.