When Michael, a 54-year-old engineer from Toronto, was told he needed a total hip replacement, the wait time was 18 months. His pain was already affecting his daily life — he couldn’t walk his dog, couldn’t sleep through the night, and was considering early retirement. “I didn’t have 18 months,” he told us. Michael chose myMedVia. From his first online consultation to returning home fully recovered, the entire process took 10 weeks.
Here is exactly how that timeline breaks down.
Week 1: Initial Consultation & Diagnosis Review (Days 1–7)
Your journey begins with a virtual consultation. You submit your medical records — imaging reports, lab results, diagnosis letters — through myMedVia’s secure portal. Within 48 hours, a specialist at our partner hospital in China reviews your case and provides a preliminary treatment plan and cost estimate.
What happens: Online case review, specialist assignment, treatment plan discussion Time required: 2–3 days Source: myMedVia partner hospitals — Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai Renji Hospital International Medical Center
Week 2: Treatment Planning & Visa Preparation (Days 8–14)
Once you confirm the plan, myMedVia coordinates the detailed treatment schedule. Simultaneously, you apply for an S1 or S2 medical visa. China’s medical visa processing typically takes 4–7 working days for applicants from Canada, the UK, the US, and most European countries.
What happens: Surgery date confirmation, visa application, travel booking, pre-departure health checklist Time required: 5–7 days Source: China Visa Application Service Centre — standard medical visa processing times
Week 3–4: Arrival & Pre-operative Preparations (Days 15–28)
You arrive in China. A myMedVia coordinator meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hospital. Over the next few days, you undergo comprehensive pre-operative testing — blood work, ECG, imaging confirmation — and meet your surgical team.
What happens: Airport pickup, hospital registration, pre-op testing, anesthesia consultation, informed consent Time required: 5–7 days of on-ground preparation Source: JCI-accredited international hospitals in China — standard pre-admission protocols
Week 4–5: Treatment or Surgery (Days 29–35)
Your procedure takes place. For orthopedic surgeries like Michael’s hip replacement, the hospital stay is typically 3–5 days. For cancer treatments, this phase may involve surgery, first round of chemotherapy, or radiation planning.
What happens: Procedure day, post-anesthesia recovery, initial inpatient monitoring Time required: 1–7 days depending on procedure complexity Source: Chinese Ministry of Health — average length of stay data for major procedures
Week 5–8: Inpatient Recovery & Early Rehabilitation (Days 36–56)
After the procedure, you remain in the hospital or a nearby recovery facility. Physical therapy begins within 24–48 hours for most orthopedic cases. Oncology patients receive their first follow-up assessments.
What happens: Daily physiotherapy, wound care, pain management, nutrition planning, discharge criteria evaluation Time required: 7–14 days for orthopedic; 5–7 days for minimally invasive procedures Source: World Health Organization — post-surgical recovery guidelines
Week 8–10: Return Home & Follow-up (Days 57–70)
You are cleared to travel. myMedVia provides a detailed discharge summary, medication plan, and a home rehabilitation protocol. Remote follow-up consultations are scheduled at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months post-treatment.
What happens: Final medical clearance, travel arrangements, remote follow-up scheduling, home care instructions Time required: 2–3 days for discharge procedures and travel Source: International Society of Travel Medicine — post-treatment travel guidelines