Flying 9 days after BBL?

Question

I'm going to be flying 9 days after my bbl, i keep reading that we should sit using a bbl pillow for short durations like take off and landing but what am I supposed to do the whole 4 hour flight? Just stand in the aisle? Or walk up and down the plane for four hours? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

Sitting on the pillow should be fine, as long as you are well hydrated, taking an aspirin prior, flexing your feet while seated, and getting up every hour to walk the aisle.  All of these steps should minimize clotting risk, but discuss this with your surgeon
Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Generally, I recommend that patients travelling from out of town not return home until 2 weeks post op. This will allow for adequate initial follow up time so as to minimize the likelihood of a major complication arising after your return trip. This will obviously vary from one surgeon to another.
However, I believe it is always prudent to consider surgery as close to home as possible. In reality, it is impossible to predict when a complication will arise (if we could they would never happen). With that in mind, dealing with a complication is always easiest without the challenge that distance creates.
With regards to your specific question, there are a number of points to consider with regard to post operative travel. Lengthy flights have their own inherent risks (including immobility & thromobotic risk). Offloading is crucial to the success of fat grafting. A pressure mitigating pillow and intermittent walks and positional shifts should be adequate.
As always, I would recommend following the advice of your board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) and when flying take the proper precautions for positioning and mobilization so as to limit any risk of serious thrombotic events as well offload your newly grafted buttocks.

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You are not going to be able to stand or walk around for the entire 4 hour flight. I would recommend sitting on a BBL pillow for the duration of the flight.   You will need to stand up and stretch from time to time.  Hope this helps!

Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is a good one and I don't think there is any one right answer-- I would discuss this with your surgeon and have him or her give you their postop plan for activity and positioning restrictions, and I would recommend following it as best you can to get the best possible results.

Sam Jejurikar, MD · Answer

Obviously you cannot stand for the entire flight. Use an offloading device behind your posterior thigh and lean forward to minimize the contact between the inferior pole of the your buttock and the seat. Examples of offloading devices include a rolled up towel or blanket, BBL pillow, or yoga pillows. Also, whenever possible, get up and walk around (every hour or so). That will help prevent blood clots from forming and will additionally offload your buttocks.Hope this helps! Sam Jejurikar, MD

Flying 9 days after BBL?

Answers (7)

Answer: Travel after BBL

Answer: Travel after BBL

Answer: Offload the buttock during your flight

Answer: Offload the buttock during your flight

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Flying 9 days after BBL?

Answers (7)

Answer: Travel after BBL

Answer: Travel after BBL

Answer: Offload the buttock during your flight

Answer: Offload the buttock during your flight

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.