Quick Answer
Recommended stay: 7-10 days
This allows time for your consultation (Day 1-2), surgery (Day 2-3), recovery and follow-up appointments (Days 3-7), and a final clearance exam before flying home.
Day-by-Day Timeline
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Colombia. Rest and adjust (no jet lag since Medellín is Eastern Time). Light exploration if you feel up to it. Avoid alcohol.
Day 2: Comprehensive Eye Exam
Full pre-operative evaluation: corneal topography, thickness measurement, prescription verification, tear film analysis, retinal exam. Takes 2-3 hours. Surgeon confirms candidacy and discusses procedure details.
Day 3: LASIK Surgery
The main event! Procedure takes about 15 minutes. You'll rest at the clinic for 1-2 hours, then return to your hotel. Sleep as much as possible. Vision will be blurry but improving.
Day 4: First Post-Op Visit
Morning follow-up appointment. Surgeon checks flap position and early healing. Most patients already notice significant improvement. Continue eye drops. Rest, avoid screens.
Days 5-7: Recovery
Vision continues improving. Light activity and sightseeing OK with sunglasses. No swimming, no eye makeup, no rubbing eyes. Continue drops as prescribed. Another follow-up visit around Day 6-7.
Days 8-10: Final Check & Departure
Final examination confirms everything is healing properly. Surgeon provides clearance to fly and complete medical records for your US eye doctor. Pack your bags and head home with clear vision!
Minimum Stay Options
Absolute minimum: 5-6 days
This tight timeline works if you have limited time off:
- Day 1: Arrive + exam
- Day 2: Surgery
- Day 3: First post-op
- Day 4-5: Recovery
- Day 5-6: Fly home
However, we recommend 7-10 days because:
- More time for healing before the dry airplane cabin
- Buffer in case of scheduling changes
- Less stress — you're not rushing
- Enjoy Colombia! You traveled all this way
When Is It Safe to Fly?
Medically safe: 24-48 hours after LASIK. The cabin pressure poses no risk to your eyes.
Comfortably recommended: 5-7 days after LASIK. Here's why:
- Dry cabin air: Airplane humidity is only 10-20%, which can severely worsen post-LASIK dry eye symptoms
- Vision fluctuation: Your vision may still be fluctuating in the first few days
- Follow-up care: Gives time for at least 2 post-op appointments
- Complication buffer: Rare issues are usually detected in the first few days
Tips for Flying Home
- Artificial tears: Use preservative-free drops every 30-60 minutes during the flight
- Air vents: Direct them away from your face
- Sunglasses: Wear them in the airport (bright lights)
- Window seat: Avoid aisle traffic bumping into you
- Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the flight
- Skip alcohol: It dehydrates you
What to Do During Recovery
You're in one of the most beautiful cities in South America — enjoy it! Here are recovery-friendly activities in Medellín:
Recovery-Friendly Activities
- ✓ Coffee tours in nearby farms (wear sunglasses)
- ✓ Botanical Garden (shaded areas)
- ✓ Museo de Antioquia (Fernando Botero art)
- ✓ El Poblado restaurants and cafes
- ✓ Spa day (avoid steam rooms)
- ✓ Listen to live music
Avoid Until Cleared
- ✕ Swimming (pools, hot tubs, ocean)
- ✕ Dusty hiking trails
- ✕ Extreme sun exposure without protection
- ✕ Contact sports
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
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