What Happens to Breast Implants on a Plane Trip?

How are breast implants affected by altitude or high pressure? Are there some changes to implants at high altitude? What happens and what precautions are needed?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Are Breast Implants Attected by Air Travel?

No, No, No, and NO. There is 100% no problem flying on an airplane after breast implants. In fact you can become an astronaut if you like and do space travel. One astronaut had breast implants in her college years and then flew in the shuttle. Did her implants explode? Implode? No and No again. Her implants tarveled to the space station with her and returned happily. If your liver, heart, brain, anf big toe... more

Nothing will happen to your implants regardless of the altitude

When I was in training one of my plastic surgeon professors had been a flight surgeon before becoming a plastic surgeon. He was still active with the aerospace program and there for had access to the altitude chamber. He like many, felt that if you ended up at a very high altitude, there would be significant problems with your implants. So he set up a camera to video the implant and then used the chamber to take the atmospheric pressure to extremely high altitudes. He was surprised to see... more

It's an urban myth

I understand there was a certain airline company several years ago that spread a rumour. They were finding that a lot of their staff were taking time off after their cabin crew were getting breast implant surgery, so they started spreading a rumour that implants could explode in mid air. So, the crew stopped getting implants and normal flight services were resumed! Nothing should happen to the implants, but whenever implants are inserted, there's a small amount of air that goes into... more

Effect of altitude and pressure on breast implants

Altitude and pressure have no effect on breast implants. Flying after surgery can be a problem only if you have to tote and lift heavy bags in the early post-op period. Fly, SCUBA, parasail, parachute jump; enjoy life. Most surgeons would recommend waiting for six weeks afer surgery, though, before engaging in vigorous physical activity that might impact your chest.

Effect of altitude on breast implants

You may be surprised, but I get this question a lot. As far as pressure goes, there is high pressure and low pressure. On an airplane, you have low pressure. Typically, the interior of the plane is pressurized (certainly for any commercial airplane or any airplane going very high), but not pressurized all the way to sea level pressure. Scuba diving is high pressure. You typically get one atmosphere of pressure for every 33 feet of depth, so at 33 feet, you have two... more

Breast implants and extreme changes in altitude

Breast implants are very durable and resilient products. They will not be affected by altitude changes( i.e in an airplane) or under the sea while scuba diving.

Steven Wallach, MD

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Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and airplanes

On a normal plane flight after a new augmentation, you may feel some pressure changes, just like in your ears. if there is a sigificant pressure change in the airplane cabin, you have bigger issues than your implants going on!

Breast implants are safe during air travel.

Breast implants are not affected by altitude or high pressure. So flying with breast implants is safe. Rest assured and have a fun trip!

Safe to fly with breast implants

Implants are not, as far as I know, affected by altitude or high pressure. I understand your concerns in regards to limitations and rules to follow after having breast surgery. There are no limitations when having breast implants. I have many patients flying in for surgery for breast augmentation and they are able to fly home within a few days. During the recovery period, it is important to avoid any heavy-lifting and strenuous activity for the first few weeks after surgery to avoid implant... more