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Are There Risks in Flying After Rhinoplasty?

asked 2 years ago by Tavia12 in Toronto
Latest answer by Ramtin Kassir, MD
Question viewed 4,545 times
Tags: nose, recovery, risk

I'm planning to have a Rhinoplasty augmentation overseas. However, I've read on the newspaper before that someone's Breast augmentation collapsed in the airplane due to the high pressure or some sort. I'm wondering whether there is a possible chance of that happening with Rhinoplasty augmentation.

18 answers to Are There Risks in Flying After Rhinoplasty?

It is safe to fly 6 days after rhinoplasty.

The main concern with flying is a sinus block when the plane descends. For the past 35 years I have had my patients buy Afrin and spray it in both nostrils 10 minutes before the plane starts its descent. None have had any problems.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

How long after rhinoplasty can I fly?

We have many out of town and international patients- the amount of time depends on how fast the incisions in the nose heal. A week is usually enough, and if they've had turbinate or septal surgery 2 weeks. Spray your nose with Afrin 30 minutes before take off and landing and you should be fine.

Ramtin Kassir, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flying after Rhinoplasty

We have many rhinoplasty patients from other states or out of the country who return home one week after surgery without problems. Nasal sprays and chewing gum minimize sinus and ear congestion secondary to residual nasal swelling.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flying after rhinoplasty

There are no real risks of flying after rhinoplasty, but it is important to make sure that you are healing appropriately prior to leaving your surgeon. It is also important that there is no infection present. It is not a bad idea to carry a bottle of Afrin with you on the airplane should you have a nosebleed. Your nose will remain slightly swollen because of the lack of air pressure for the first few hours during and after the plane flight.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Flying after Rhinoplasty

The issue is pressure changes when flying, in particular, upon descent. I usually require my patients to be available for two weeks after any cosmetic surgery. Regarding rhinoplasty, the two issues are pressure discomfort and potential nose bleeding. Your ability to 'pop your ears' can be affected by rhinoplasty. This can lead to ear and facial discomfort during flight. Bleeding from you nose is a risk but after two weeks, is very unlikely. If you must fly, I recommend using a nasal spray... more

Randall Latorre, MD
Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon

Air travel after nasal surgery

Generally, one should wait at least 2 weeks following nasal surgery before flying. The main issues which may occur during air travel are Bleeding Pain Nausea Infection If you are still in the early recover period after rhinoplasty surgery, many airlines will not let you board the plane. If you still have a nasal cast, many will require a doctor's note to board the plane. Speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon to determine when air travel is appropriate for you. Best of luck....

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flying after rhinoplasty

Hello, The issue that may arise when flying after rhinoplasty is an increase in swelling. Nothing inside your nose will collapse. I recommend waiting a minimum of two weeks before flying after rhinoplasty. If you fly before that time it is likely you will experience swelling. Hope this helps answer your question. Thank you, and best of luck. Dr. Nassif

Paul S. Nassif, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flying following rhinoplasty

I like to have my patients around for at least a week prior to flying home or to convalesce. The risks of air travel following rhinoplasty are mostly related to changes of pressure and equalization. You will likely have some congestion and nasal edema which can effect your sinuses and eustachian tubes, but simple precautions like an over the counter nasal decongestant spray should be able to prevent this problem.

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgeon

African American Rhinoplasty

Hi, I don't think its a problem as long as you wait 7 days before flying. Most nasal augmentation material does not contain deflatable materials. Best, Dr.S.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

Rhinoplasty and flying

I usually like my patients to stay in town until the sutures are removed. This means about 1 week. The main issue with flying is that you may feel a bit congested, so having Afrin may be helpful.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Flying after rhinoplasty

Typically, the only issues after flying involve pressure changes which can result in a nose bleed. The other potential issue is if you have swelling inside your nose for example if you had septal surgery at same time, you may have difficulties clearing your ears with the pressure changes on the plane. I typically recommend that my patients not fly for at least a week after surgery and up to two weeks in some cases. This varies from physician to physician. If you absolutely must fly... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flight after Rhinoplasty surgery

For the record, I am opposed to cosmetic surgery tourism, it is just a bad idea. Having said that, I am not sure exactly what you mean rhinoplasty augmentation. However, if you are healed enough, you should be fine to fly from the nose point of view. Perhaps you may have an increased risk of nose bleed from dry air, possibly pressure changes, perhaps not. Breast implants will be unaffected.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Flying after rhinoplasty

Flying related concerns following rhinoplasty are legitimate. However, there are many instances when patients have surgery and then fly home soon after (5-7 days) their procedure. I generally recommend that patients do not fly for 2 weeks after surgery. The main concerns with flying during the first 2 weeks are: Bleeding: after surgery on the nose, your highest risk of a post-operative bleed is in the first 7-10 days. The recirculated air in the plan cabin tends to be very drying. That may... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Flying after Rhinoplasty should be okay after 10 days

Try not to fly for 10 days after the Rhinoplasty. Then you should be O K. Otherwise, I would get the surgery in your home town. Regards.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Travel after rhinoplasty varies from doctor to doctor but may as soon as a week

Each surgeon has personal preferences when it comes to flying after a nosejob. There is no inherent danger from actually flying regarding the nose. The nose is congested for a week so flying in less time would be akin to flying with a bad cold; not a good idea. Other concerns are lifting bags and the hustle and bustle of travel ling. If my patients are very careful, I let them travel 8 or 9 days after surgery, but they need to be "prima donnas." I do have one question for you?... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Commercial flights are very safe

No matter what surgery you have, flying commercial aviation should not be a problem. There is some cabin pressure changes but it should not affect the surgery. The biggest problem you might have is if you have a cold with congestion and you may feel some pressure in your ears or sinuses. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Flying Commercial Planes will NOT collapse Breast Implants or Noses

All commercial planes are pressurized and passengers are NOT exposed to extreme pressure variations. But even if they were not , it has been PROVEN that it would take more than flying at 40,000 ft to blow up breast implants. So what you heard about exploding breast implants is an urban legend. Really. If you are recovered from your surgery there is NO reason why you could not fly as long as you move about and keep hydrated to lower the risk of blood clots. What you SHOULD be worried about is... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Nose job (rhinoplasty) and air travel

Each surgeon may have different recommendations and guidelines regarding postoperative limitations and restrictions. Certaiuntechniques such as rib cartilage harvesting may impose other limitations on airflight. If you ahve pre-existing sinus disease, airflight could be uncomfortable in the postoeprative period. However in the vast majority of instances, air travel is possible in the post operative period.