Days 1–2 in Colombia: Landing, Altitude, and Settling In Before Your Procedure
Your procedure isn't until day three or four. But your trip starts the moment you land — and how you handle these first 48 hours affects how well your body responds to surgery. Here's what the first two days actually look like.
Altitude Comparison — Colombian Cities vs Common Origin Cities
The Altitude Question
If you're flying into Bogotá, you're arriving at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) — higher than Denver. If you're coming from a coastal US city like Miami, Houston, or New York, that's a jump your body will notice. Mild headache, slight breathlessness on stairs, poor sleep the first night — these are normal. They're not dangerous for a healthy adult, but they're relevant context before surgery.
If you're flying into Medellín, altitude is less of a factor. At 1,495 meters (4,905 feet), Medellín sits in a comfortable middle zone — high enough to notice if you're sprinting up a hill, low enough that it rarely causes symptoms in healthy visitors.
Landing Day: The Only Agenda Is Rest
Get to your accommodation. Unpack. Buy water. Buy fruit. Set up your medication on the nightstand. Walk to the nearest pharmacy to scout it — don't buy anything yet, just know where it is. Eat light. Sleep early. That's the whole day.
What "Settling In" Actually Means
Settling in isn't unpacking your suitcase. It's making your recovery base functional:
Hydration infrastructure: Buy a case of water. Colombia's tap water is potable in Medellín and Bogotá, but bottled water is cheap and eliminates any variable. Get electrolyte packets from the pharmacy. You want to be over-hydrated before surgery, not catching up after.
Food reconnaissance: Walk (slowly, calmly) to the nearest restaurant, bakery, and fruit stand. Note what's available, what hours they keep, and whether they deliver. This saves your companion from hunting at 7 a.m. on surgery day.
Pharmacy visit: Find your nearest droguería. Don't buy post-op supplies yet — your surgeon will give you a specific list at your pre-op appointment. But knowing where the pharmacy is (and that it exists) reduces one variable on day three.
Communication check: Confirm your WhatsApp connection to your clinic works. Send a test message. Make sure your phone plan covers Colombian data, or buy a local SIM at the airport or any Claro/Movistar/Tigo shop.
Pre-Op Day: Clinic Visit and Final Prep
Your pre-op appointment happens here — blood work, anesthesia consult, surgical markings, and final Q&A with your surgeon. This is your last chance to ask questions. After this appointment, your only job is eating a light dinner, hydrating, and going to bed early.
The Pre-Op Appointment
This appointment typically includes:
| Step | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-op blood work | Basic panel — CBC, metabolic, coagulation | 15–20 min |
| Anesthesia consultation | Review of medical history, allergies, current medications | 15–30 min |
| Surgical marking | Your surgeon marks the operative areas while you're standing | 10–20 min |
| Consent and Q&A | Informed consent, final questions, post-op expectations | 15–30 min |
| Payment finalization | Remaining balance, if not paid in full at consult | 10 min |
Bring your passport, medical records, medication list, and any clearance letters. Wear comfortable clothing that's easy to change in and out of. Your companion should attend if possible — they'll hear the post-op care instructions directly.
What Not to Do in the First 48 Hours
Don't drink alcohol. Not even one beer. Alcohol thins blood, disrupts sleep, and dehydrates you — three things that work against surgical outcomes.
Don't eat heavy meals. Rich, fried, or unfamiliar foods the day before surgery risk GI issues under anesthesia. Stick to what you know: grilled protein, rice, vegetables, fruit.
Don't exhaust yourself sightseeing. Medellín is incredible. Bogotá has world-class museums. But you're not here to tour — you're here to prepare. Save the exploration for the second week of recovery, when short walks are therapeutic rather than draining.
Don't skip your surgeon's pre-op instructions. If they said no aspirin for a week, no supplements containing vitamin E, no food after midnight — follow it exactly. These aren't suggestions.
Postcard Takeaway
- Bogotá sits at 2,640m — expect mild altitude effects if you're coming from sea level
- Medellín at 1,495m rarely causes altitude symptoms in healthy adults
- Day 1 agenda: arrive, hydrate, buy water, locate pharmacy, sleep
- Day 2 agenda: pre-op appointment, light dinner, early bed — no sightseeing
- No alcohol, no heavy meals, no aspirin, no exhausting activities before surgery