How Long Should I Wait to Fly After a Mommy Makeover?

Question

Will be getting a (bigger version of) Mommy Makeover in India. Live in UK. After flying IN to India, how long should I wait b4 I get the surgeries? How long should I wait to fly back to UK after I have HAD the surgeries? Thank you!!

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

In general two weeks is an acceptable time to wait before flying. However, I would recommed a compression garment for your legs as well as an asprin to help prevent the possibility of a blood clot in your legs. I would also recommend that you get up and walk every hour while you are on the plane and keep yourself well hydrated.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.  Generally, most patients can fly within 2-4 weeks after mommy makeover operation. I wish you all the best.

Marie E. Montag, MD · Answer

A mommy makeover is a great surgery to address numerous areas
that are affected by pregnancy at the same time, but we also have to plan for
longer recuperation time for bigger surgeries.Usually after a single surgery I would recommend a patient
refrain from air travel for 10-14 days if possible and get up and walk
repeatedly throughout the flight. In
your case you are talking about multiple surgeries at once and long airplane
rides so the risk is higher.The biggest
risk is blood clots forming and traveling to the heart and lungs.This happens due to prolonged immobilization
(like when you are confined on an airplane).These can potentially lead to death, so we do not take the situation
lightly.Immobility before surgery can
also set you up for blood clot problems.Ideally I would recommend that you try to arrive one week before your
surgery—make sure you are active between your arrival and the procedure.Plan to stay at minimum 2 weeks post-op, but
if possible, longer would be better.In
the early post-op period your doctor will need to see you frequently to check
for infection and to take out drains and stitches when they are ready.During these appointments they will also
advise you on activity, compression garments, and returning to work.Those things can be difficult to handle when
you are hundreds or thousands of miles away.Also, be sure your doctor at home is aware of what you are planning so
that he/she can be ready to take over some of these responsibilities when you
get home.(Not all primary care MD’s
like to do that, so you need to make sure you have support lined up for when
you return home.)Last but not least, be
flexible enough to go back to India for some follow-up if your plastic surgeon
requires this.Good luck with your surgery!

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Travel of any type following mommy
makeover surgery can potentially complicate the postoperative course. In most
cases, patients have recovered sufficiently to travel in about two weeks
following surgery.

Air travel often involves
prolonged periods of immobilization and because of this, patients may be at
risk for the development of blood clots in their extremities. These blood
clots, known as DVT’s, can potentially represent a life-threatening phenomenon
when they occur.

There are several risk factors
associated with the development of DVT’s. These include the length of the
surgical procedure, use of hormonal replacements or birth control pills,
cigarette smoking, obesity, a history of cancer, family history of hypercoagulability,
advanced age, and previous history of blood clots.

When travel is necessary following
mommy makeover surgery, every step should be taken to avoid this complication.
Patients should use anti embolic compression stockings, maintain hydration, and
ambulate frequently when traveling. In patients who have multiple risk factors,
anticoagulants such as Lovenox may be necessary.

If you have plans to travel in the
immediate postoperative period, make sure you discuss this issue with your
plastic surgeon. It’s important to remember that every patient’s situation is
unique. For this reason, treatment needs to be individualized for every
patient.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Most of the surgeons in this forum agree that 2 weeks is within the bell curve of normal in terms of convalescence after tummy tuck.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

In general most surgeons would advise that you wait a minimum of 2 weeks after prolonged surgery under general anesthesia prior to flying.

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD · Answer

I would guess that you could have surgery soon after arrival in a foreign country as long as you are well hydrated after the plane flight. It is my professional opinion that your surgeon should be able to care for you for at least 3 weeks after the surgery. Most postoperative complications occur during this time period. I am somewhat possessive of my patients and do not want them ending up in some emergency room too far from me for me to able to care for them, so I advise anyone traveling to me for surgery that they need to stay in town for 3 weeks postoperatively. Most importantly for you, you should be asking your surgeon these questions. If you trust him or her enough to travel abroad to have this elective surgery, you should feel comfortable getting this advice directly from him or her. If you are not, you might reconsider your plans to undergo major surgery abroad.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Travel to a foriegn country as you are planning is becoming increasingly popular as a means of saving costs. Certainly there are qualified plastic surgeons in many countries now, but the issue of travel home and care for any problems that develop later is one without a simple answer. With a mommy makeover, the most serious problem would be blood clots  (pulmonary embolism) which is more likely with a long flight. Fortunately this is rare but it is only one of the problems that can occur after multiple surgeries. Your own surgeon can best advise you on your specific question but I would not recommend a long plane flight any earlier than 10 days after, preferably at least 2 weeks or more. you will need a lot of help too with handling luggage etc.

	You may wish to visit the website of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS.org) which has an advisory statement on international travel for surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

This question is best answered by your surgeon who is most familiar with the details of your surgery.  Generally you will need to fly in before your surgery for a preoperative visit and potential lab work.  After surgery you will want to stay near your surgeon to address any potential complications and to have drains, sutures, etc removed.  Generally you can fly after a few weeks, though this may vary by surgeon.  When flying be sure to get up and move about when it is safe to do so.  Your surgeon may suggest wearing compression hose too.  You will likely still have lifting restrictions in place so you will need help with handling your luggage.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD · Answer

In general, you should probably plan on spending at least 2 weeks in a location near where you are undergoing your mommy makeover, as you will most likely want to have access to your surgeon during that period of time for routine post-operative management and follow up. In addition, you should be wary of spending too many hours sitting in an airplane to avoid increasing the risk of blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT).

How Long Should I Wait to Fly After a Mommy Makeover?

Answers (13)

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