Rhinoplasty: Q&A
Ask a QuestionHow Soon After Rhinoplasty is It Safe to Fly Home?
If I get a rhinoplasty out of town, how many days must I wait to fly home? Does it depend on the length of the flight? What kind of risks am I taking on if I fly earlier than that? Also, is it safe to recover alone in a hotel room? Or is it more safe to fly home where there is family nearby?
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14 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
newtoski
in Here
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Rhinoplasty recovery
It is always better to stay in town after surgery until the early post-op period just in case there is a problem that needs to be addressed. If you do have to go home on an airplane shortly after surgery, you want to stay well hydrated to avoid clots in your legs. In addition, you may want to take some Afrin before getting on the plane to help with nasal congestion.
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Flying after rhinoplasty
For many years in practice, I have performed rhinoplasty in people who live at quite some distance from my office. Sometimes they fly home the next day and fly back to have their dressing remove from their nose. More often, they will wait until the dressing is removed from the nose (between 4 and 7 days after surgery) and then they will fly home. Flying, in and of itself should not cause any problems and I have not seen any associated problems or complications related to the flying.
I do...
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Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Flying after rhinoplasty
It is safe to fly home approximately 7-10 days after rhinoplasty when the cast is removed at the doctor’s office. It is important to stay close to where your surgeon is located, that way in the event you have post-operative complications he/she will be able to assist you.
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Rhinoplasty Recovery
All of our patients from out of town, state, or country must have a friend or family member be with them or stay in a recovery facility the night of surgery. They typically fly home after the cast and appropriate sutures are removed on the 6th post-operative day. They are advised to chew gum or use nasal sprays to clear their airway before and during flight.
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Best to fly home after about 7 days after Rhinoplasty
It is advisable to remain in the area for about a week to make sure things are healing well and for bleeding risks to decrease. Having said that, not all patients can afford to wait that long and we've had some patients fly home the next day after we see them in clinic. It is critical that patients avoid any heavy lifting (ie more than 15-20 lbs). It's probably best not to carry on heavy items or have to reach to place things in the overhead compartment. Expect your nose to be stuffy and...
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Fly home 7 days After Rhinoplasty
It is advisable to stay in town for at least 7 days after Rhinoplasty. This allows for early packing removal and cast/suture removal on postoperative day seven.
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Flying after rhinoplasty
We suggest that our out-of-town patients stay nearby for at least the first week since there are at least a couple post-op visits in that time-frame. Airplane cabins are dry, so lots of nasal saline spray can help with comfort. Nasal congestion can make it harder to clear middle ear pressure, especially on descent, so we recommend a couple squirts of Afrin about 30 minutes before the flight. It lasts about 10-12 hours. I also suggest that patients get up and move about the cabin every hour...
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Rhinoplasty and travel
I generally recommend that you wait at least a week prior to travel after surgery. You will be need to be seen by your surgeon for splint removal during this time. You should have someone with you overnight for at least the first day or two after surgery. Your surgeon may be able to reocmmend a private duty nurse if you do not have anyone to fill this need. Flying earlier is mainly a risk because if you experience bleeding or any anesthesia complications, you won't have the necessary...
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Flying in an airplane after rhinoplasty
This depends on what procedures were performed. With a tip rhinoplasty, you could theoretically fly home immediately. However, with extensive septal, turbinate and/or sinus work it may be best to wait 10 days when the risk of bleeding and infection are tremendously lower.
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Flying home safely after Rhinoplasty
Airplane cabins are pressurized and I have had people fly back and forth from NYC for their appointments. On the day of surgery, you would need to be in NYC, and depending on the extent of the needed operation you may be able to fly home as early as the next day, or on the far side 5 to 7 days.
No heavy lifting or bending over, to avoid increasing pressure in your head which could cause a bloody nose. On the day of the surgery we can arrange for a private nurse to escort you to your...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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