Are there any specific things I am able to do regarding international flight after BBL/BA?

Question

I am getting a bbl and a breast augmentation on May 10, but I also am going out of country on the 16 of May (it is a 16 hours flight to a third world country.) Since I have been changing my appointment date so many times. I don’t want to delay it. I was given some tips and advice on what to do on flight and to make sure I do not get any blood clots. Are there any specific things I am able to do on my end to prevent anything from happening while on the flight? I have all my supplies ready.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Every surgeon will have a different postoperative routine based upon your health, the procedures performed, how you are recovering, and travel destination along with mode of transportation. Sit with your pillow on the flight and in the car and have your plastic surgeon sign a letter to the flight attendants requesting that they let you walk the aisles every 30 minutes. I would rethink the decision to fly to a third world country so soon after surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear anamkidwai,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
I recommend my patients to wait at least 10 days before flying back home, and you should not sit for more than 30 mins. every two hours, for the first 2 weeks, and always with the help of a boppy pillow. If you have any concerns, I suggest you follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck :)

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I think I’ll patients should think through it every possible scenario after surgery. I do not recommend to patients travel long distances for elective surgical procedures. Having access to your surgeon after the procedure including routine follow up visits in person are important. Patients do not always take in the consideration the complications actually do happen as well as the need for revisions.

Traveling to a Third World country six days after fairly fairly major surgical procedure does not sound like a well thought through plan to me.

Infections are pretty rare but when they happen require immediate surgical intervention.

The chance of that maybe one in 200 but for the person who gets the infection it’s 100%.

I suggest discussing this with your provider.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Are there any specific things I am able to do regarding international flight after BBL/BA?

Answers (4)