Is it Okay To Fly 12 Days After Breast Reduction Surgery?

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

The answer to your question is surgeon dependent. It also depends on where you are flying and for what reason. My patients are typically safe and able to fly at 12 days after a breast reduction from a health and healing standpoint. But, I would not yet want them carrying luggage or doing heavy lifting. I would also not want them to be flying out of the country or attending a very important event. The chances are that the healing process would be fine for flying at 2 weeks, but not every patient heals as quickly and as well as the next. If canceling the flight plans at the last minute due to unforseen circumstances would be a great difficulty, I would not make the plans. If you have more flexibility in your schedule, I think that you would most likely be OK to fly (if someone else is carrying your luggage.)

The answer to the question is surgeon dependent. If you are planning to travel soon after surgery, inform the surgeon during the consultation process so he can tailor the post operative care to be suitable in this situation. Of course, part of the decision to travel will be based on how you are healing.

Always best to check with the operating plastic surgeon regarding specific postoperative activity. Your plastic surgeon will be in the best position to advise you given that he knows you, how you are progressing after surgery, and exactly what you have planned.

Best wishes.

My breast reduction sutures remain in place for 14 days postop so I would not permit my patients to fly during this initial postop period, unless your presence was required due to an extreme emergency or death in your family. Barring this, if you haven't had surgery, I would recommend rescheduling it. If you have already undergone surgery, then travel would be at your own risk. You should discuss this with your plastic surgeon but, in my practice, I would consider it against medical advice.

You are paying someone to operate on you, ask them any questions you have. They will tell you what they like to do with their patients

I usually allow my patients to fly 10 days after surgery IF there are no complications. We use only internal absorbing sutures and so suture removal scheduling is avoided. But your doctor will have his own protocol and you really need to ask him the question.