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Is It Safe to Fly After Breast Augmentation & Lift?

asked 1 year ago by LilyM76 in Canberra ACT, Australia
Latest answer by Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Question viewed 956 times
Tags: flying, travel

I will be travelling overseas for a breast augmentation next week. I plan to stay near my plastic surgeon for 7 days then I will be flying home. It’s a 9 hour flight home. A blood test 3 weeks ago showed that my platelet count is raised at 470 which I believe is due to the fact that I have no spleen and had a tummy tuck in November. I have advised my Plastic Surgeon of this and he says its fine however I am feeling anxious about the surgery and the flight home. Any advice appreciated.

21 answers to Is It Safe to Fly After Breast Augmentation & Lift?

Flying after breast augmentation

My strong recommendation is to have your surgery locally. Short term and long term follow up are facilitated. Implants are imperfect mechanical devices, and the implant-tissue interaction develops over time and can be unpredictable. If you have rippling, wrinkling, infection, seroma, scar issues, implant malposition, or any other problem mandating revision, this will be more easily (and less expensively) accomplished if your surgeon is local (not to mention the... more

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Precaution

One of the greatest risks with any surgery is DVT. Though the risks are low, and intraoperative precautions in our practice are always taken, a long flight may predispose you to the problem. I would suggest using a compressive garment on the flight such as "skins" and walk around on the plane often.

Marc Schneider, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Yes, it's ok

Jes, it is save to fly after the surgery, but it is recommanded that you should use same shots against thrombo-embolya.

Tiberiu Bratu, MD
Romania Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation and Travel

I would recommend you pick a plastic surgeon closer to your home. In addition, given your platelet history, I would recommend a formal evaluation by a internal medicine or hematology specialist. Best of luck.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Flying after Breast Augmentation

Getting on a long flight can always increase risks of clots in your legs (Deep vein thrombosis, DVT). The stress of having a fairly complex surgery can increase those risks a little further. I would recommend that you get up every hour or two to stretch your legs, do calf raises, and knee bends. You might also look into wearing Ted Hose (special support hose). All things considered, you should be ok for the flight. Now, whether you should be flying 9 hours away to have a very... more

Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

dr-rubinstein.com

Safe is a relative term...

and somewhat ill defined in your situation. Certainly flying 9 hours to a surgery, then flying back 9 hours one week later with a platelet count of 470k is not safe compared to flying 9 hours and not having surgery. You should reconsider traveling so far for surgery or staying longer. Good luck! see video

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Flying Home after Breast Augmentation with Lift

I prefer for my patients to not fly for 2 weeks post surgery, such that I can ensure a safe and full recovery. If there are any wound care issues or concerns, it may be necessary to delay the flight home or arrange for followup care in your hometown. In regards to your splenectomy and elevated platelet count, I would recommend consultation with a hematologist prior to leaving to ensure you are not at an increased risk for blood clots. I am a firm believer in taking all... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.drpaulgill.com

Is It Safe to Fly After Breast Augmentation & Lift?

We perform over a thousand procedures on patients from out of state. I think the main issue is the type of procedure and the typical down time from that procedure. Early ambulation is the key to prevent blood clots. Our patients that have augmentation and lift are ambulating the day of surgery and we typically ask them to stay for several days to allow us to take care of any complications that could arise. I think the risk with this particular patient is the length of the flight. Anyone... more

William J. Hedden, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

www.heddenmd.com

Breast augmentation and flying

Flying after breast augmentation and lift is concerning if you have to lift your baggage which will require use of your pecs which I discourage following surgery.

Arian Mowlavi, MD
Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon

Is It Safe to Fly After Breast Augmentation & Lift?

If by saying yes here over an internet Q&A site alleviates your concerns than you are being foolish. We, all, of us posters do not know you or your medical history. Like was your TT locally or did you fly for that? If it was local than I would advise to stay home. The real issue is the altitude and flight time. You are statistically higher to have a real complication by traveling. That is to say you might be OK but if things go south it could be your life. Good Luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

9 Hour Flight for a Breast Augmentation - NOT very safe

Regarding: "Is It Safe to Fly After Breast Augmentation & Lift? I will be travelling overseas for a breast augmentation next week. I plan to stay near my plastic surgeon for 7 days then I will be flying home. It’s a 9 hour flight home. A blood test 3 weeks ago showed that my platelet count is raised at 470 which I believe is due to the fact that I have no spleen and had a tummy tuck in November. I have advised my Plastic Surgeon of this and he says its fine however I am... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

9 hour flight after a breast augmentation - imprudent!

Flying one week after a breast augmentation is OK. However, you have several issues which others have clearly mentioned. A 9 hour flight on an airplane places any one at a higher risk for clots in the leg which can even go to the lung and be fatal. This risk is elevated after surgery without flying, so together, you will have a substantially elevated risk. Then add this to your elevated platelet count ... Not good! With this in mind, if you do travel, you should make sure that you are... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Flying after surgery

I am not a fan of medical tourism for the issues that you raised. Staying in the are of your surgeon I think is important especially during the first week. But what happens if you have ap roblem in the second week? Also long distance flying may set you up for a DVT.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Flying after Breast Augmentation

As has been pointed out, you have three problems with this plan. First is the risk of leg vein clots that can break off and go to the lungs. Though uncommon, this can be fatal. The risk is low with Breast Implant surgery, but your risks are increased because of your increased platelet count and your planned air travel. Although the suggestions given will help, your risk will remain high for at least a month after surgery. The problem with the trapped air is not dangerous, but can cause some... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Postoperative flying

After any surgery you have a higher risk of vein clots and other responders have already given you advice for this. The only other issue with flying is the possible expansion of trapped gas. Any gas will expand as you go up in altitude. Today's commercial airlines have pressurized cabins so you should not have any problems with commercial airline travel following surgery. Make sure you do not have to do any heavy lifting. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Flights After Cosmetic Surgery

Many of my patients come from around the U.S. and other parts of the world. I think it’s a very important rule that the patient stays in the proximity of the plastic surgeon for the immediate post op care until the recovery has been smooth in transition and all sutures have been removed. In general, I keep my patients in Dallas for 5 -7 days for breast augmentation/reduction, rhinoplasties, and eyelid surgeries and for facelifts I prefer 10-14 days. I allow people to travel after... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Risk of DVT

The caution about flying is because of the risk of DVT. DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs as a clot in your veins from sustained inactivity. It can form during surgery or after surgery when you are laying around. Modern advances in medicine have helped to considerably reduce the chance of DVT with special devices that we put on your legs before during and after the surgery while you are asleep. When you are flying or driving long distances, you tend to be sedentary... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

No flying 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after surgery.

Generally this is not advised even though other surgeons may do this the risk of a fatal blood clot is particularly high if an individual travels on a plane within two weeks of surgery. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Flying after breast augmentation

You should be OK to fly after 1 week assuming you don't have any risks for blood clots. Make sure you stay well hydrated, move your feet and legs frequently and walk around every hour or so.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Flying after Breast Surgery

I as my patients to wait a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery but each plastic surgeon has their own specific instructions for patients. The main concern is deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, which are potentially very dangerous.

Jeff Scott, MD
Everett Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation abroad

I am not sure how far you are flying, but make sure you get up and walk around to prevent depp vein thrombosis. I am more concerned that you will be very far a way from your surgeon during your post-operative period.