How long after getting a BBL is it safe to fly?

Question

I don’t want to risk anything more than it already would. I would have to fly from Boston to Miami to get surgery. How long after would I be very safe to fly?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

After a BBL, the safest timing to fly depends on your health, the length of surgery, how much liposuction was done, your mobility, and whether there are any early complications. In general, I would not plan to fly home immediately. Many surgeons prefer patients to stay locally for at least 7 to 10 days, and sometimes closer to 2 weeks, so they can be checked after surgery and so the highest-risk early recovery period has passed.

Flying too soon can increase concerns about blood clots, swelling, dehydration, wound problems, and difficulty managing pain or drains if they are used. There is also the practical issue that you should avoid prolonged direct sitting on the buttocks after fat grafting, so travel needs to be planned carefully with your surgeon's instructions.

Before flying, you should be walking comfortably, off strong pain medication or using it safely, eating and drinking well, and cleared by your operating surgeon. During the flight, get up and walk when allowed, hydrate, and use compression garments or stockings if your surgeon recommends them. If you develop chest pain, shortness of breath, calf pain, marked swelling, fever, or increasing wound drainage, do not travel and seek urgent medical care.

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. You can fly after your BBL procedure once you're finished with your required post-op visits and your doctor has advised you it's ok. You will need to use a BBL pillow during your return flight home. It is crucial to minimize or avoid sitting for prolonged periods since the transferred fat has not yet integrated to your tissues. Therefore, I advise my patients to minimize sitting for one month and to use a bbl pillow. After a month, I allow my patients to sit regularly although many continue to avoid it for several weeks. Please always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Take Care, Dr. Moises Salama, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Reserved606279
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello  @Reserved606279, thank you for your question.  It is always important to take into consideration the opinion of the specialist who is performing surgery.  It depends a lot on the surgical technique and the technology used in this procedure. Usually 15 days is a prudent time. Best wishes!  Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS),International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

After a BBL, it's generally recommended to avoid sitting or lying on your back for at least two weeks to allow the transferred fat to settle in its new location.

As for flying, there is a risk of developing blood clots in the legs during long flights, especially if you are sitting for an extended period. This risk may be higher after a BBL, as the procedure can cause swelling and inflammation, which can increase the likelihood of blood clots.

Therefore, it's generally recommended to wait at least two weeks after a BBL before flying. During this time, you should avoid sitting for long periods, stay hydrated, and move around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of blood clots. It's also a good idea to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling and promote healing.

However, it's important to note that every person's recovery is unique, and your plastic surgeon is the best person to advise you on when it's safe for you to fly after a BBL based on your individual circumstances.

Best of luck !

Frank Lalezar, MD · Answer

After surgery, your body is in a hypercoagulable state and therefore prone to clots. I typically will tell patients to wait 10 days before flying again. However, with a BBL procedure, it would be 2 weeks because I would not want you sitting on your buttock for that period of time. Additionally, make sure you have your BBL pillow during the flight. Please consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to determine your exact needs.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I do not recommend patients travel long distances for elective surgical procedures. People do not seem to appreciate the importance of having multiple in person, consultations before scheduling surgery, the number of patients who have significant issues after surgical procedures, that complications actually happen, or the number of people who end up needing revision surgery.
Delivering consistent quality, liposuction and fat transfer results is more difficult than most people believe. In order to minimize having negative life long consequences. Patient should be highly selective of choosing providers correctly. Personally, I recommend patients do this by having multiple in person consultations. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients with similar body characteristics to your own. An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing it before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. 
There are major differences among providers offering this procedure. If done poorly people can be left disfigured. Poorly done, liposuction and fat transfer are difficult and often not possible to correct.
Flying isn’t a thing. Patient should worry about after surgery. What patients should be concerned about is having certainty that they’ve chosen the correct provider and that is best done by having multiple in person consultations which gives you a chance to properly vet each provider.
Each provider will have their own recommendations for postoperative care, and when it’s appropriate to travel. If you travel is needed after your procedure, then you should ask your surgeon who should guide you in the decision making.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

How long after getting a BBL is it safe to fly?

Answers (7)

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