Air travel and car travel especially over long distances carries a risk of a blood clot in the leg or DVT - deep venous thrombosis. The risk of DVT is higher after surgery particularly with sugery that is extensive and involves general anesthesia. The risk of DVT is markedly reduced after tumescent liposuction... more







1 post
26 Jan 2009
Pls can you tell me how long I should wait with a 12hours flight if: liposuction is done on tummy & legs for lipoaugmentation in breasts. I have varicose veins and some water retention in my legs and sometimes blood-circulation problems. I am only 33 years old though and texture of skin etc. is overall rather good. I have to take weight in view of the operation caus not enaugh body fat. My surgeon is very nice but doesn't seem to have enough time to answer me these repeated questions which however are evry important to me. Thank you so much for your answer!
13 posts
21 Jul 2008
The largest concern with flying after liposuction is the risk of getting a blood clot in your legs. The risk of getting blood clots is based on multiple factors. Major factors directly associated with liposuction include: how much fat was removed in total how much fat was removed from each area treated how many areas of your body were treated which areas of your body were treated if you had other surgeries performed at the same time, such as a tummy tuck or breast augmentation These factors relate to how much 'injury' your body has received. The surgery itself can damage blood vessels, the swelling and garments after surgery can compress blood vessels, thus slowing blood flow, and your soreness after surgery isn't going to let you walk around right away like you did before surgery (resulting in less blood pumping through your legs). All these factors will play a role in increasing your risk for blood clots. Now, if you are getting lipo of your neck line and that's it, the risk isn't too high. If you are considering getting lipo of your inner/outer thighs, waist, abdomen, and lower back - that's a whole different risk level and you probably don't want to be sitting in an airplane and not moving right after that one. If you do want to fly afterwards - you also need to look at your own personal risk factors for blood clots. Major factors increasing risk include: increasing age after 40 having a history of cancer a histroy of a blood clot in you or a relative having a bleeding disorder Certainly waiting until you are fully and easily mobile is advisable. Many surgeons will give you a medicine to help prevent blood clots. Also, getting foot pumps that squeeze your legs while you sit there is a good idea. Overall, your surgeon will be the best to help you with your case.