Long haul flight 6 weeks after Lipo, will I be ok?

Question

I have had lipo on my inner and outer thighs plus hips.I need to fly from Sydney to the UK in 6 weeks.Is there anything special I need to do on the flight? Thanks

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

At 6 weeks, you should be ok. Just make sure that you drink a lot of water and that you get up frequently to stretch and walk the cabin. Also, speak with your surgeon as to whether you should wear your compression garment. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

There's no problem going on a long flight even a few days after liposuction. Make certain that you take this journey well hydrated and get up and move around the cabin periodically.

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. There should be no issues with taking a long flight 6 weeks after liposuction. The most important precautions you can take would be to remain well hydrated, take regular walks around the cabin during the flight and wear compression stockings, and taking a baby aspirin. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Brenda Pache, MD · Answer

Hi!!! .....There is not any  problem going on a flight, move your legs while sitting, walk after 1 or 2 hours  during 15 or 20 minutes, drink  fluid , wear compression stockings, and take aspirin. Contact your surgeon he or she will do the best the recommmendations for you...Good luck on your flight!!!Dr.Brenda Pache

Narongdej Jiarapeepan, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi,You will be ok to fly. Just drink plenty of water and stay active in the plane :)We have hundreds of clients a year that do liposuction and fly back home from Thailand, we ask them to stay minimum 10 nights in Thailand. So in other words I do not think you have anything to worry about.Dr. NJ

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

You should in general be okay at 6 weeks (check with your PS to be sure).But you raise many important concerns.  Long flights, as well as other activities that are characterized by prolonged immobility, are increasingly known to be associated with blood clot formation in the lower legs.  (The same thing can happen with general anesthesia more so than with intravenous sedation since it - GA - is a vasodilator and more likely to cause blood to pool in the veins of the lower legs.)  Even aside from the peri-operative period, the tendency to get on a long flight, have a drink or two (which dehydrates), go to sleep for many hours and remain immobile, with the legs bent at the knees - is a setup for blood clot formation (also called deep vein thrombosis) and, at its extreme, pulmonary emboli.The risks can be abated by making sure that you drink lots of water, get up and move around (drinking lots of water will ensure that you have to get up!), do some stretching or motion exercises in the aisles (that's part of what those people are doing) and, generally, maintain movement.At 6 weeks you should be largely back to normal - but really not completely.  It takes up to 6 months to see the final results of a lipo, which means that before then you still have at least some swelling.  For that reason, I'd suggest that you be that much more vigilant and pro-active during your flight.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of #RealSelf100

Long haul flight 6 weeks after Lipo, will I be ok?

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