How soon after rhinoplasty is it safe to fly home?

Question

If I get a rhinoplasty out of town, how many days must I wait to fly home? Does it depend on the length of the flight? What kind of risks am I taking on if I fly earlier than that? Also, is it safe to recover alone in a hotel room? Or is it more safe to fly home where there is family nearby?

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

We suggest that our out-of-town patients stay nearby for at least the first week since there are at least a couple post-op visits in that time-frame. Airplane cabins are dry, so lots of nasal saline spray can help with comfort. Nasal congestion can make it harder to clear middle ear pressure, especially on descent, so we recommend a couple squirts of Afrin about 30 minutes before the flight. It lasts about 10-12 hours. I also suggest that patients get up and move about the cabin every hour or so to avoid DVTs (blood clots in the deep veins of the legs...a risk after any surgery).
Even after the first week, there are a number of important post-op visits that we like patients to attend, so it's important to be flexible with any travel schedule.
All the best,
--DCP

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. You should be able to flying by 1-2 weeks after your surgery. But this is valid only with assuming postoperative recovery is uneventful. If any unexpected incident happens in your treatment process, this time can be extended or shortened. I wish you all the best.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is safe to fly home approximately 7-10 days after rhinoplasty when the cast is removed at the doctor’s office. It is important to stay close to where your surgeon is located, that way in the event you have post-operative complications he/she will be able to assist you.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

It is advisable to stay in town for at least 7 days after Rhinoplasty. This allows for early packing removal and cast/suture removal on postoperative day seven.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This depends on what procedures were performed. With a tip rhinoplasty, you could theoretically fly home immediately. However, with extensive septal, turbinate and/or sinus work it may be best to wait 10 days when the risk of bleeding and infection are tremendously lower.

Darrick E. Antell, MD, FACS · Answer

Airplane cabins are pressurized and I have had people fly back and forth from NYC for their appointments. On the day of surgery, you would need to be in NYC, and depending on the extent of the needed operation you may be able to fly home as early as the next day, or on the far side 5 to 7 days.

	No heavy lifting or bending over, to avoid increasing pressure in your head which could cause a bloody nose. On the day of the surgery we can arrange for a private nurse to escort you to your hotel and stay with you an appropriate amount of time.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

The issue of importance is being able to clear your ears on decent of the plane. We have our patients spray Afrin in their nose 10-15 minutes prior to decent.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi New,
What's new?
For my patients, it is okay to fly about 5 days after out of town rhinoplasty, although the longer they wait the better.  You need to confirm the amount of time with your rhinoplasty surgeon.  On the firth day after rhinoplasty, the splint and any stitches are usually removed.
The main risk of flying is bleeding from the cabin pressure change.    The other downside is having limited follow up with your surgeon.  Sometimes arrangements can be made in your hometown with an ENT or facial plastic surgeon who can see you in the immediate follow up period.
It is better if you have someone stay with you the first night.  Your surgeon should be able to contact a nursing service to stay with you one night.
Good luck and enjoy your new nose.
Dr. P

Andrew Jacono, MD · Answer

In my practice, I routinely treat patients from other countries and other parts of the United States. I routinely allow them to fly home 7 to 10 days after surgery and they have no problems.

Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS · Answer

In my practice, I have patients stay in the area for seven days after rhinoplasty. This gives them some time to start healing and allows me to make sure that there are no early complications after the surgery. Flying earlier means that if an infection or post-operative bleeding were to develop, you would not have the doctor there to treat you. the length of the flight is not as important as the timing of it. Patients should not recover alone after surgery, especially the first night. I require an aid to stay with the patient at least or the first 24 hours.

How soon after rhinoplasty is it safe to fly home?

Answers (17)

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