Breast Augmentation - When is safe for me to fly short/long haul flights?

Question

I am a Business Consultant and our clients are based all around the world. After my breast augmentation, how long until it is safe for me to take short haul flights 1-3 hours? Then how long until I can take long haul - 6 hours plus? Please not this would not be a one off journey, I would be hopping on and off the plane each week for months if assigned to the project.

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  No real data has been studied to address this issue.  During the healing from surgery one concern is the integrity of the incision and another is the body's response to surgery and changes in physiology that occurs.  Depending upon the incision location, the size of implants and the health of a patient it is possible to be able to fly within a week or so.  After a surgical procedure the body has several wound healing factors that circulate and one of those factors may increase the body's ability to form clots.  This could be disastrous if one were to form a clot in the legs during the post operative period.  there are many opinions regarding safe flying after surgery but it is really not known with good evidence.  In my practice I would prepare patients prior to surgery to ensure they have no travel plans for at least three to four weeks and if they travel they consider taking an aspirin prior to the day of departure and daily until they return.  Please speak to your surgeon regarding their protocol.  Good luck.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. You should be able to go on vacation by 3-4 weeks after your surgery. But this is valid only with assuming postoperative recovery is uneventful. If any unexpected incident happens in your treatment process, this time can be extended or shortened. I wish you all the best.

Robert P. Schmid, MD · Answer

Thanks for ur question! It's a really important thing that u don't over exert urself too early after surgery. In my experience of doing thousands of these surgeries, I usually let my patients fly "short hauls" after 1 week, & "long hauls" after 2-3 weeks. B careful to have help with heavy luggage; I try to keep my patients to lifting no more than 15-20 pounds for the first 3-4 weeks post op. Of course, every sugeons post op protocol is different depending on their experience, so check with ur surgeon. Best of luck!

Mark E. Mason, MD · Answer

It is safe to fly approximately one week after surgery if you have not had any complications. I advise my patients not to lift anything over 10 pounds for the first 6 weeks after surgery as well as avoiding lifting your arms over your head. You should also avoid vigorous exercises or weightlifting for 6 weeks too. The more that you move your arms, the longer it will take for the swelling to go down after surgery. I hope that this is helpful to you.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would also recommend speaking to your board certified plastic surgeon about this as every surgeon has their own protocols. Regards,

Arthur Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

You should be fine to travel one week after your surgery. Assuming the implants are placed under the muscle, I would avoid exercise for 4 weeks and that would include any heavy lifting of your bags. Hope this helpsDr. J

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Usually patients can travel two weeks after augmentation. However if you plan to fly away for months then you should not take any chances. It is always better to be safe than sorry. In your case I will recommend caution and wait at least one month before flying away for months.Shorts flight from which you come back can be undertaken as soon as two weeks after breast augmentation.

Julio Clavijo-Alvarez, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question. I can
appreciate your concern.Breast augmentation its a procedure with fairly rapid recovery. Usually 2 weeks is the window that i have to determine if potential complications such us bleeding or infection were to occur. if your trips are business related, be careful with the luggage efforts. Always clear with your surgeon, to establish his preference.

Wishing you the best in your journey

Benjamin J. Cousins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You should be fine to fly after about a week, but remember each Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will have their own specific recommendations about return to activity. The recovery after BA surgery
varies widely from patient to patient as well as their level of discomfort
during this time. Generally, the first 4-7 days are reserved for rest and
overall recovery, and after that patients can slowly work their way back with
gradual low risk activities. I prefer to wait at least 6-8 weeks for
repetitive upper body lifting/movements and arm use so that the muscles,
skin incisions and breast tissues have had adequate time to heal and
settle before being stressed. The recovery routine will best be determined
by your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon so be sure to touch base with him/her
on their specific recommendations.
Benjamin J. Cousins MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

John Dean, MD · Answer

You should be able to resume your normal work routine in less than a week which includes flying.  Like any passenger, you should get up and walk the aisle every hour or so, in order to keep the lower extremities from pooling blood, thereby reducing the chance for venous clotting.

Breast Augmentation - When is safe for me to fly short/long haul flights?

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