Is a 2 hour flight 2 days after chin liposuction a DVT or PE risk?

Question

I'm getting chin liposuction under local anesthesia will it be safe for me to travel by plane for 2 hours only 2 days after the procedure? Will the flight raise my risk of DVT or PE? will the flight affect my healing process (will be wearing chin garment 24hrs for 2 weeks regardless)

Eduardo Ochoa, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question!
If you are having the procedure done under local anesthesia the risk for DVT or PE is very low, the risk is higher with larger surgeries where the patient is still for several hours. Be sure to discuss this and all your concerns with your plastic surgeon, your surgeon will surely have your medical history and will determine your individual risk for DVT. If you don´t have clotting problems there shouldn´t be a main issue, but there are other risk factors like smoking, obesity, birth control pills intake. Be sure to move your legs during the flight or have a walk every 30 minutes.
I hope you find this useful, wish you the best!

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! You risk of developing a blood clot such as a DVT or PE is dependent on many things. Make sure you have a candid discussion regarding your travel plans, past medical history, current BMI and surgery length with your board certified plastic surgeon. Every safe surgeon performs a DVT/PE assessment on surgical candidates. Most of my patients wear their chin compression garments 24/7 for the first week, then at least 12 hours per day for the first month post op. Be sure to check with your board certified plastic surgeon on what she/he thinks is best.

Gavin M. Dry, MD · Answer

In general, the greatest risk for DVT comes from longer surgeries with general anesthesia. In your situation where you are just having local anesthesia and a short procedure then the risk should be minimal. Getting up and walking during the flight and staying well hydrated would be best. I would recommend discussing this with your surgeon as well. The flight itself should have no effect on the overall outcome of the surgery or interfere with the healing process.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Please discuss your travel plans with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. It is important that your surgeon and medical team approve of your travel plans. You may find that they recommend you stay longer before traveling. Always work with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. 
Best wishes,

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear itsums,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

Kevin Bounds, MD · Answer

Studies have been done suggesting facial surgery under local anesthesia has an exceedingly low risk of PE/DVT blood clots. Unless there are other medical issues or histories to suggest otherwise, your risks should be very low, essentially baseline for a two hour flight. More about the cabin if turbulence allows and flex and extend your ankles periodically as you would for any travel plans.

Charles W. Guy II, DO, FAOCO · Answer

Neck liposuction under local anesthesia is a safe surgical procedure.  All surgical procedures, in general, can increase risk of a DVT but this one would have very little increase in risk.   If you have a history of a clotting disorder, this would be more of a concern even if you did not have surgery.   Always clear your plans with your surgeon as he/she may know something in your history that would restrict you from flying that soon afterwards.  Otherwise, you may want to get up and move around a bit mid-flight.  Good luck and safe travels!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

As long as you're in excellent health and have no prior issues and the surgeries performed under local anesthesia, there should be a very low risk for DVT or PE. Always best to check with your operative surgeon. More important is to make sure you follow up with your operative surgeon 2 to 3 times in the first few months after the procedure to ensure good healing.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would say your risks of a DVT after having only liposuction of the chin/neck (especially if just done in the office setting and not general anesthesia) would be very minimally-raised over baseline. You will want to get up often and exercise your calves throughout the flight and stay well-hydrated. I'd let your surgeon know. Best wishes

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Discuss your travel plans with your surgeon.  Your surgeon may want you to wait a few days before traveling.  Consult with a highly experienced board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations.

Is a 2 hour flight 2 days after chin liposuction a DVT or PE risk?

Answers (10)

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