Flying after breast lift and implant: Is it possible to fly after surgery within 3 days of surgery?

Question

I want to get a breast lift and implant done in another state because the cost is better but I can’t afford to wait two weeks before flying back home.

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.

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

Normally it is wise to wait a week so the inflammatory cascade after surgery has calmed down and you are at less of a risk for a clot after surgery.  With that said, I recommend that you wear compression stockings and walk on the plane to avoid these complications.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Without knowing the specifics, you should be wary of price shopping in plastic surgery. It is a documented and new media publicized way of increasing your risk for complications and suboptimal results. If your surgeon of choice isn't an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon with a lot of experience, you should think twice. Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear katiellucy,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients and the same goes for flying. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I had a patient who flew home from Philadelphia to Utah the day after breast augmentation with lift surgery with no problems whatsoever. Always a good idea to check with your surgeon's protocol.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hi Katie.I appreciate your question.
Flying after three days is more risky than flying after two weeks as recommended by your surgeon. I suggest you reconsider. Bleeding and the risks of DVT would be a concern, but other risks like infection are likely an additional problem.
Good luck. Dr. ALDO

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, it is best to avoid any stressful environments or significant travel during your first week after breast surgery. You will be sore and you will want to avoid any accidental bumps from other travelers or trying to maneuver in and out of your seat using your upper body. Just a few possible risks include wound separation, bleeding, blood clots, or uncontrolled pain. Most plastic surgeons will also expect to see you during the recovery period to make sure everything is healing appropriately so you may need to make a return flight to your surgeon which will ultimately increase your costs. It is most important to prioritize safety over cost as any complications can dramatically increase your costs and sacrifice your results in the long run. Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

If you're traveling to have your procedure done, you can discuss that with your surgeon but you are having to assume considerable risk as traveling sometimes is related to doing things with your upper body that you did not anticipate and this could lead to a hematoma.  If that happens, you will have to find a surgeon at your destination to take care of this or purchase an immediate return trip to LA and endure the pain that often comes with hematomas.  LA surgeons are no more gifted than local surgeons who have excellent results to show over their careers. Why leave home to have this procedure done?  That doesn't make any sense to me.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Most surgeons would like our patients to stay in town at least a week, and preferably two weeks or more for followup. If you have a lift, you will have incisions that need to fully heal before your implant is out of the immediate period of risk for infection/exposure. It is hard to monitor patients like this from afar. Additionally, flying within a few days of general anesthesia is risky from a blood clot risk standpoint. I usually insist on the patient staying in town a minimum of 7 days postop and try to encourage 10-14 days as a reasonable compromise for the out-of-town patient.

George John Alexander, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for a great question katiellucy!  We have many patients who fly to Las Vegas
from other countries or other states for breast surgery. We individualize the recommendations
on when it is safe to return home based on the patient and the procedures. Flying
home after a few days may be recommended for some patients, but if so we advise
them to travel with someone else and to limit arm movement and to not lift any
luggage, etc.  The best doctor to ask
this question to is your board certified plastic surgeon who will be performing
the procedure.  Best of luck with your
surgery!

Flying after breast lift and implant: Is it possible to fly after surgery within 3 days of surgery?

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