Will Flying on a Plane Immediately After Eyelid Surgery Affect Healing?

Question

I booked a flight for home immediately--about 2-3 hours after my eyelid surgery. I'm flying from Southern California (where my surgeon is) back home to San Francisco.   Now I'm concerned that flying on a plane at high altitudes can have some kind of effect on the start of my healing process. I will be following the post-op healing instructions once I get home, but I am especially concerned since I am undergoing eyelid surgery and being in an aircraft tends to dry out eyes.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Leaving on a plane several hours after surgery is a really bad idea. As was previously mentioned, cabin pressure after surgery is not the issue. The issue is that there would be no ability for the surgeon to see you in the event of a problem. Unfortunately, situations such as this tend to invoke Murphy's law. Don't tempt fate if you don't have to.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

I do not recommend flying immediately after surgery. I would wait at least 3-5 days until all sutures are out as this may cause significant swelling.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for your question.
Flying probably has no effect on healing. Planes are pressurized so that the pressure in the cabin is close to that on the ground. If this didn't happen we'd all get the bends. However, I would not recommend it so soon after surgery. 
More importantly, you should be worried about how soon you are leaving.The most dangerous complication of eyelid surgery is a hematoma.
Its best to stay over night in your surgeon's city.You can leave once he/she gives you the okay. Your eye sight isn't worth the risk.
Best regards,
Dr. Speron

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

Let me add to the bulk of opinions here. I, too, would strongly recommend against flying immediately after the procedure. It's not the cabin pressure that I'm worried about, it's the lack of access to your surgeon for follow up in the next day or two and the complete lack of access to care while in the air (think bleeding complications, blindness, acute angle closure glaucoma, etc.) There is no E.R. in the air and there is no surgeon to evaluate you.
Talk to your doc about follow-up and flying. If your doc is comfortable with you flying hours after surgery, find another doctor!
All the best,
--DCP

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Boarding an airplane 2-3 hours after blepharoplasty is completely unnecessary, and should be avoided. Rushing to the airport, passing through security, along with the stress involved with this plan could increase your risk of hematoma. If you're attached to your surgeon, then stay in Southern CA till your sutures are removed, around 3 or 4 days after surgery.
I hope this is helpful for you.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

This is one of the biggest mistakes that can cost you your vision. The changes in air pressure in the cabin can open up a blood vessel that was cauterized during surgery and lead to a hematoma (collection of blood under skin) that starts pressing on your optic (eye) nerve and causes BLINDNESS.
For upper eyes without much fat removal the earliest you can fly is one week.
For lower eyes three weeks.
Regards

Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Answer

If you're just having upper lid skin removed under local, the flight will not change your wound healing in any way. If you're having a real anesthetic (anything from IV sedation to general anesthesia) then flight immediately afterwards is a terrible idea and you shouldn't follow through with it. Make sure your board certified plastic surgeon knows what you've got in mind.
Best Wishes.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Not all eyelid surgeries are the same. For example if you are having isolated upper lid skin removal, flying on a pain is of little concern and I would see no problem in returning home as long as you had someone to carry your bags.
However, if you are undergoing a more extensive upper and lower eyelid procedure, I would personally be uncomfortable sending you home and would strongly prefer to see you in followup the nex day.  
Only your surgeon knows the plan of the extended procedure, and you should ask him or her for their specifc recommendations following the planned surgery.

Julian De Silva, MD · Answer

Boarding an airplane just hours after your surgery would potentially
put you at risk in the healing period. The first 24 hours after your
blepharoplasty surgery are the most important in terms of your recovery and,
considering you are likely having this procedure for aesthetic purposes, you
will not want to compromise your results by flying home too soon. I generally
advise patients to avoid flying in airplane for 5-7 days depending on the type
of blepharoplasty they have undergone and to be in town for follow-up visits
with your surgeon.

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD · Answer

Eyelid surgery can have a low but significant risk of bleeding after the surgery, especially if you are up and about immediately afterwords. Increases in heart rate cause corresponding increases in blood pressure which increase the risk of bleeding & complications.

	All injuries, including surgical injuries, increase the clotting factors in the blood for the next 30 days, and thereby, sitting for lengthy periods can put you at greater risk for blood clots in the legs.

	I am also impressed just how difficult the idea of convalescence can be to people today. Consider that treating yourself to surgery may include treating yourself to the recovery as well.