Breast Implants Outside US - How Long Before I Can Safely Fly Home?

I am researching surgeons and the implant process in Costa Rica. (Husband's co worker has 2 family members who have used same surgeon in CR and highly recommend.) I am not sold on the idea.

I am concerned with the time issue (along with other things). How long after surgery do I need to wait before flying home? Or is flying after surgery not even a valid concern? We were planning on a 10-14 day trip. Having the surgery on day 3-4 hopefully. Please advise! Yes, we are on a budget...but I want to do this as SAFELY as possible.

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Dragonfly Mom

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Air travel after breast augmentation

There is going to be a wide variation of opinion on this issue, however I feel that it should be safe to fly home after breast augmentation three to five days after your surgery. Bleeding after augmentation is the greatest immediate risk, and should be apparent by three days after if it is going to occur. Your flight home in a good snug bra should be safe and comfortable, provided that someone else will do the lifting for you. Complications such as infection, or a poorly placed implant can... more

Breast augmentation in Costa Rica

You should plan to stay at least 10-14 days after surgery in the event of complications. While there are many excellent, qualified surgeons outside of the US, you should carefully research yoru surgeon's credentials to make sure that you are in the best of hands. Once your surgery is done and you are back in the US, if you have any problems, it won't be easy to make another trip to Costa Rica. Best wishes and good luck, /nsn.

Costa Rican breast augmentation

If you choose to do this you should stay 2 weeks after surgery because it is possible to get a hematoma by raising your heart rate and blood pressure for 2 weeks after surgery. Please consider that if you have any problems afterward like size concerns, capsular contracture or asymmetry it will cost you much more to fix these if you have to find a US surgeon who didn't do your original surgery.

Breast Implants on the fly

A short comment on operation overseas. Even if you carefully chose your surgeon, you need to consider the consequences and cost of complications, should you have them. Such complications will eat away any savings you realized by having the surgery abroad. A breast augmentation is not a very complicated procedure and you should be able to travel with 5-7 days after surgery. For extra safety, I would recommend waiting 7-10 days before flying / traveling anywhere for more than an hour at a... more

Surgery in South/Central America

Hi there- Because I practice in Central Florida, I am FREQUENTLY contacted by women who have gone to Central or South America for Plastic Surgery... Why am I hearing from them? Because after returning, they have problems requiring attention. That's bad.... Here's what you should know: While I am convinced there are many very good plastic surgeons outside of the US, I am not convinced that the standard of care is as high in some locations. The quality of materials used is not always as high as more

Breast implants outside the USA: medical tourism

Bleeding and infection are the two most serious concerns after breast surgery and these are more likely to be apparent by 10 days after surgery. However the greatest issue is more likely to be less dramatic and involve minor questions concerning recovery, acitivities, asymmetry, long term results, etc. Trying to communicate and get answers for these long distance is very difficult. Your surgeon will most likely advise you to come in for a visit and that is not practical. In the event you... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Your friends may have been lucky or this may be one of the best surgeons in the world

But no matter who does your surgery, there is always the potential for things to not go perfectly. Even if you have a minor problem, such as making a bad scar or displacement of you implant, your surgeon is a long way away. I'd recommend finding someone closer to home that is within your price range and who is reputable.

Safety with plastic surgery

Your last comment in your question begs the discussion that many of my colleagues are getting at. If SAFETY is your primary concern, I would strongly recommend a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who has the experience and credentials to practice in the United States. Surgeons in this country are held to strict standards in manners ranging from training to sterility in the operating room- these standards are not often met overseas. Having had to... more

Breast implants overseas

I would tell you that you are better off having the surgery in the US close to home. If you have a problem, what are you going to do? Fly back to Costa Rica?

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Travel after overseas surgery

The offer you cite is indeed very compelling and there are certainly a number of qualified plastic surgeons around the world. There is of course the issue of travel expense, and accomodations in addition to the surgeon's charges. More important than when you travel home is long-term care. If you were to have your surgery closer to home, you could always see your plastic surgeon for any issues that might arise, and many of the potential problems with breast implants don't manifest within... more