Leaving Town for Mommy Makeover & Hernia Repair, is It a Bad Idea?

asked 9 months ago by Richardson9068
Latest answer by Phillip C. Haeck, MD
Question viewed 184 times
Tags: opinion, risk, travel

After being diagnosed with an umbilical/and super-umbilical hernia, I decided since I had to undergo surgery and recovery AGAIN(previous - myomectomy and 2 C-sections, most recent 4 1/2 years ago), I'd like to have something to look forward to. After 3 consults, in which a mini-tummy tuck with breast aug were recommended, I am flying out of state where I have family, to get my work done. The plan: follow up 7 days post-op and flying home that evening if approved by dr. (3 hour flt). Thoughts?

9 answers to Leaving Town for Mommy Makeover & Hernia Repair, is It a Bad Idea?

This may not be your last flight to this surgeon

Where I live in Seattle we get asked this type of question all the time from women who live in remote areas of Alaska, Montana and Idaho. So the rules I have developed include the following. First of all, in this situation you are going to have to be flexible. If you are still having pain at day seven and don't feel like flying, or you are still having some minor problems, can your ticket be changed without an exhorbitant fee? If you go home with your drains still... more

Phillip C. Haeck, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Flying out of town for Mommy Make-Over

Many patients choose to travel out of their immediate area to have cosmetic surgery. I don't see that as a problem at all. If you have family to take care of you, that is great. My main concern about leaving the area 1 week post op surgery would be the drains. Normally, with a tummy tuck procedure, you will have drains that need to be removed (on average 1-3 weeks post op) so you would need to have another surgeon back home that could take care of that for you... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Leaving Town for Mommy Makeover & Hernia Repair, is It a Bad Idea?

I would recommend at least a 10 day follow up within the contingency if you are doing OK to leave in 7 days. See if the PS in the out of town area for your surgery has a colleague in your hometown to see you if there is an issue.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Need to consider some of the issues with out of town cosmetic surgery

Many people do go out of town for their cosmetic surgery for a variety of reasons but there are several issues that you need to consider. One week follow-up is not long enough for what you are undergoing. Unless you have a plastic surgeon back home who is willing to see you in follow-up, you may not be able to obtain the most ideal care if needed. How will you deal with potential complications or untoward issues, even minor ones like open wounds, delayed healing, sutures coming through the... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Leaving town for a tummy tuck

Flying out of town for a tummy tuck brings up three issues. If you have insurance for your hernia repair, leaving town might place you out of your network, so double check to see if your coverage might be at risk. Second, the issue of travel home, the risk of blood clots is real, and you may wish to look into special stockings for your flight, and walk frequently. Aspirin has no proven benefit in reducing DVT. Finally, if you develop a seroma or delayed healing, who will care for the other... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Flying Out of State for Mommy Makeover

In general, you should be carefully followed by your surgeon for at least 2-4 weeks after a Mommy Makeover, and thereafter less freqeuntly than that. If for example, you have drains for the tummy part, they usually stay for 1-2 weeks. You need to be prepared to come back to see your surgeon as early as 2 weeks after the surgery (for drain management or care of any post-operative problems) if you are flying home after a week, and then return as often as necessary. You... more

Arnold S. Breitbart, MD
Long Island Plastic Surgeon

But what if you have a late problem.

I am always a proponent of local surgery, providing there are competent board certified plastic surgeons. What happens if you have a complication 8 or more days post surgical? Are you going to fly back to the operating Doc? Who will take care of you at home? Even though both of the other doctor's answers are correct and you can fly, there are other considerations.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mommy Makeover out of town

In general I think it is fine to stay where your surgeon is for a week, then fly home after that. It is important to get up a few times during the flight and walk around. Surgery is a risk factor for blood clots in your legs and so is sitting for prolonged periods of time. I think the Aspirin suggestion is a good one if your surgeon is ok with it. Of course, complications can come up after a week. It may be harder to deal with some of them once you get home, and... more

Laurence Weider, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Mommy makeover

Not sure I really understand your question. I think you are asking if it is OK to fly 7 days after your mommy makeover. Most likely "yes" though you will still be a bit sore from the tummy tuck. Also, hydrate well and plan to get up several times during the flight in order to keep the blood moving and avoid blood clots. You might also ask your surgeon if it would be OK to start some aspirin a few days after surgery. Good luck.