The Canadian woman who was badly beaten in Mexico has had "successful" facial reconstructive surgery and is beginning the long road to recovery, her husband says.

Sheila Nabb, of Calgary, was found in an elevator at the Mexican resort where she had been vacationing with her husband last month, suffering from a vicious beating that resulted in multiple broken bones in her face.

A statement issued by her husband Andrew Nabb on Thursday said she is making progress.

"Sheila's injuries were very serious and she has a long recovery ahead, but we are looking forward to having her back home where she belongs," the statement reads.

The statement said Nabb, 38, underwent extensive reconstructive surgery on Saturday, a procedure which "doctors say was successful."

"Since this time she has spent a few days recovering in the Intensive Care Unit. Although she is still sedated, she has been very responsive and we are happy to see small improvements every day."

The note went on to thank Canadians across the country for their concern and support, and asked for continued prayers and "positive energy."

Nabb, a 37-year-old office manager in Calgary, and her husband were vacationing at a five-star resort in Mazatlan, when Nabb was found beaten and bloodied on Jan. 20.

Her uncle, Robert Prosser, said she left her room late at night and was found early Friday morning. Her husband didn't realize she was gone until he woke up at 6 a.m. and went looking for her.

"As far as we know, she left the room on her own, got in the elevator, and that's where it happened," Prosser told CTV Atlantic.

Nabb was initially treated in Mexico, then put into a medically-induced coma and flown home to Calgary for further treatment and surgery.

Meanwhile in Mexico, authorities have arrested Jose Ramon Acosta Quintero, 28, and charged him with attempted murder in relation to the attack.

However, he has since said he signed a confession under duress and wasn't permitted to read the document outlining the crimes he was confessing to.