13hr international flight after a mommy makeover. When will it be safe to fly?

Question

I am planning a mommy makeover during my 5 weeks vacation and intend to schedule surgery first week of arriving at my desired location. After 'vacation' I am to return to work and that means taking a 13hr international flight. I won't be carrying luggage or anything except my light handbag. How soon after a mommy make over can one fly?

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.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

You want to wait at least two weeks before flying after surgery. Longer if you can swing it. My best,Dr. Sheila Nazarian@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Before taking such a long flight you should be completely healed and fully functional. This would be a minimum of two weeks.Four weeks would probably be better.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello. It is typically advised that such travel be done at least 4 weeks after the surgical procedure.  This would allow adequate follow-up postoperatively. Lower extremity blood clots are increased after surgery as well as with long travel.  The time afterwards would hopefully be adequate to lessen the chance of this is unfortunate complication.  Hope that this helps. Best wishes!

Ajay Mahajan, MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

It is not advisable to board a long haul flight about four weeks "before" or after a major procedure as it can incerase the risk of clots in your legs or lungs that can potentially be life threatening. Thre are lots of other things that you need to consider...  Although, you may get a good deal in going some 
where far from home, there are quite a few problems with medical 
tourism. At the end of the day, although it is a cosmetic procedure, it 
is still is an operation and it needs to be respected as such. Quality, Safety and Risks: The
 standards of the clinic you go to or the surgeon operating on you may 
not be regulated. There are significant risks with travelling long 
distances immediatly before of after your surgery. Patients may not 
tolerate travel very well, or may not have inherent resistance to some 
of the diseases in the host countriesPatient satisfaction:The
 overall experience may leave you dissatisfied and once you return home,
 you cannot pop down the road to consult with your surgeon again.Clinical outcomes:Clinical
 outcomes can be variable, but it is not uncommon for us in the NHS to 
be picking us the pieces of patients who have been abroad for cosmetic 
surgery. A survery of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive 
and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has shown that 37% of us have seen a 
patient in the National Health Service with 
complications arising from overseas cosmetic surgery. In another survey 
in the UK, 60% of complications were of emergency nature requiring 
inpatient admissionContinuity of care - before and after your surgery:Unfortunately,
 this vital part of your treatment is non existent. Medical tourism 
involves travelling to another country and your body may take time to 
aclimatise to that country's ecosystem. A detailed physical examination 
is not possible prior to your procedure and the contemplated surgery is 
at its best a good guess as to what you may need. You may contact 
disease that it completely irrelevant to your surgery in the country you
 are travelling to. Long haul travell immediatly before or after your 
surgery increases your risk of clots in your legs or lungs which can be 
potentially life threatening. Should you be unfortunate enough to have a
 complication once you return home, your surgeon (who should be your 
principal carer after your surgery), will not be around. Privacy and confidentiality:This
 is very variable and difficult to regulate outside your own country. 
Data protection may not have the same confidentiality when you are 
travelling and your photographs could potentially end up on the 
internet. Infection and cross-border spread of antimicrobial resistance and dangerous pathogens:This
 is a serious problem and not only does it lead to spread of rare 
infections from country to country, but it can result in a patient 
returning from a country and being sick with symptoms that the local 
physicians may not be familiar with. This can delay diagnosis and 
treatment and can have serious implications on the health of the 
patient. External Quality Assessment and accreditation:Medical
 tourism services  remain largely  unregulated  and  a  huge  issue  
that  needs  to  be  faced  up  to  is  whether or  not  the quality and
 safety standards on offer through medical tourism are to be trusted. 
One of the major concerns related to medical tourism is the ethical 
aspects of treatment and if treatments offered are justified or simply 
offered to run a business. Accreditation:It is very 
difficult to verify the qualifications of your so called plastic surgeon
 when travelling abroad. In the UK, a fully trained and qualified 
Plastic Surgeon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Plastic 
Surgery (FRCS Plast), is on the Specialist 
register for plastic surgery with the General Medical Council (GMC) and 
is
 usually a member of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive 
and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and British Association of Aesthetic 
Surgeons (BAAPS).

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you will be healing following surgery.

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question. The biggest concern with travel following surgery is the development of blood clots in the leg (DVT) which have the potential to travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). It is wise to have post-op follow ups with your surgeon to monitor your progress healing. I think four weeks of recovery should be sufficient, but I suggest informing your surgeon regarding your travel plans. Hope this helps and good luck with your procedure!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The best answer will largely depend on the type and extent of procedures involved with your Mommy Makeover.  In general most patients are best served with follow-ups with their original surgeon for 2-4 weeks after surgery to ensure that their healing progresses without complication.  I would anticipate that your 4-5 weeks of recovery should be sufficient, but voice your concerns with your surgeon.  It would also be wise to follow precautions when on the plane to prevent blood clot formation, including staying well-hydrated and walking the aisle every hour of flight time.  Hope this helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Generally speaking you will want to be at least three weeks post op before considering flying after a Mommy Makeover.  This could vary based on surgeon preference, details of your surgery and how you progress through recovery.  Your surgeon may recommend using medication prior to flying to lower the risk of blood clots.  In addition it is important that you move about the aircraft when it is safe to do so.  Other helpful tips would be wearing compression stockings and moving your ankles regularly while seated.

13hr international flight after a mommy makeover. When will it be safe to fly?

Answers (9)

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