Why can't I fly to Spain 4 days after my hair transplant?

Dear Angela,Thank you for writing in with a question. My answer is based only on my experience in performing exclusively hair restoration for the past 12+ years, and is not a comment in any form or fashion about your treating physician. Bottom line: I cannot answer this question for you. At our Center, I have our patients irrigate their newly transplanted grafts with a nutrient spray once-an-hour while awake following their procedure for the first 3 days, then 5-6 times a day until the scabbing is 100% gone. The most important days are days 1 through 3. I have many patients flying in from other States and countries every month, and I advise them that they are able to travel back to their country on the 4th day after the procedure. At that time, the irrigation of the new grafts needs only to be done about once every few hours, which allows for travel on a flight. You spray down your grafts with the ATP nutrient solution prior to leaving for the airport, then again when the seatbelt light goes off once you’re airborne, and you’ll still be on schedule. If any complication from the procedure were to happen, it nearly always happens within 4 days following a hair transplant procedure.

Do you look different now (after surgery) that your face doesn't match your passport photo?Do you have a plane ticket?Are you on a TSA watch list?Did you go scuba diving?Is it surgery related?Did you ask your doctor "WHY"?  You can't expect much of an answer without any history. It will be guess work.In general you can travel the next day after surgery.

...4 days after a hair transplant shouldn't be a problem.  You will still have "evidence" of a hair transplantation, but pain should be tolerable and the altitude and cabin pressure shouldn't affect graft survival. We often have patients flying out by day 4.  Never had an issue. 

The transplanted hair settle down within 72 hours of surgery. SO, there is no problem in your flying four days after surgery. Infact, many of my patients fly the next day after surgery and I have never found any problem in them.

In our clinic we have volume of International clients. They can safely travel out the second day after the procedure.

Be sure to speak to your surgeon about reasons why you might not be able to fly. There might be specifics to your situation.In broad terms, many patients fly in, have their surgery and fly out the next day after 12 pm. That's the protocol at our centre.  Patients with health concerns, or more complex surgeries may be advised not to fly for a few days. It's a patient by patient recommendation. In summary, check with your surgeon for specific guidance on whether it's safe and/or appropriate for you to fly. 

In all honesty I see no reason why you cannot fly to Spain 4 days following a FUE procedure unless there's some underlying medical condition that would preclude you from traveling.Did you discuss this with your doctor prior to having the procedure?In my experience I have done many patients that have traveled great distances whether by car or plane to have a procedure performed by  me, and it is my protocol that they stay the nightof the procedure and in the morning if there are not any unexpected findings they're permitted to travel. Since my technique does not involve any suture lines, surgical clips, staples or significant bleeding, once proper wound instructions areexplained and understood I see no reason for my patients not to travel the following day after they check in with me prior to leaving.

We have many patients who fly in to have hair transplants from the middle east, Asia and Europe. We allow them to fly within 2 days after the hair transplant. There is no reason not to fly providing there is no bleeding at the time you fly out;

You will probably swell more if you climb on a plane within the first 5 days after a procedure, but that should not be a problem other than the discomfort/unattractiveness of having a swollen head!  Good luck!

Usually our clients can fly out after four or five days.  We have our clients stay for a few days after the procedure so that if they have any questions or concerns we are close by for a follow up, however after five days it is not necessary to stay around.  If your doctor is concerned then you can ask for the reason.