Sitting on an Aeroplane After Liposuction?

8 days ago I had liposuction on my love handles, abdomen, inner and back of thighs. The only comfortable position is laying on my stomach. Sitting down upright puts me in excruciating pain. I have a 9hr flight tomorrow, I expected there to be pain of sorts but I didn't think it would be this bad I have spoken to the surgeon who performed the lipo and unfortunately there isn't anything he can do. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make myself more comfortable for this plane ride?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Samantha24

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Flying after Liposuction or Tummy Tuck

I do not recommend flying within 2 weeks after tummy tuck, because this procedure has the highest incidence of DVT with PE. With liposuction, the risk is not as high, but plane trips longer than 2 hours are probably not a good idea either. I do not perform tummy tucks on patients from far away locales unless they plan on staying in the area for the early postoperative period. There is little evidenced based medicine to support firm guidelines or... more

Long Flight After Liposuction

Unfortunately with that many areas treated, you could be in lots of pain after surgery. This is why we recommend that even if you do return to normal activities, you do so gradually and as tolerated. I suggest you try to ambulate as much as you can during the flight, stay hydrated, and take your pain medications as prescribed. Ideally, you'd postpone the trip until you're feeling better.

Air travel after liposuction

You had a lot of liposuction and I am wondering how you came to schedule a flight nine days after surgery. My recommendation would be to reschedule the trip because nine hours is a long time to be on a plane and in pain. I agree that you are at higher than average risk for a pulmonary embolism and, once the plane is in the air, it's not easy to turn around because a passenger is in distress. If you are a "medical tourist" then this is an important cautionary tale. You should discuss Dr.... more

Liposuction, Pain Control, and Airplanes

Your question is complex and very valid. The question you ask brings up several issues. First is air travel safe after liposuction? Yes, it is, but there are conditions. The fact that you are 8 days out from surgery is okay. A 9 hour flight is pretty long. Blood clots and pulmonary embolism are more common on long flights and in surgical patients in the period after surgery. So you are a double risk. You must... more