How long should I wait to fly after surgery? I will be doing liposculpture with local anesthesia and plan to fly 10 days postop.

Question

I plan to go to Ecuador for the holidays after surgery. Is 10 days a safe time frame for lipo from the abdomen only? And because of high altitudes, is traveling to Ecuador from CA safe post surgery?

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The best person to advice you will be your specific surgeon as every surgeon will have his/her own preferences as to recovery for specific procedures. I have my patients stay for a week before flying. That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  A key quality indicator is Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

There are several reasons to hold off on flying immediately following surgery.  The risk of blood clots developing in the legs is especially high in the first four days if one has had general anesthesia. This risk is not there if one has had local anesthesia. Also, if one has had general anesthesia and has sinus issues, it is always wise to wait a few days prior to traveling. There is also the common sense reason to wait a few days if one has had either general or local anesthesia. In the first 24 to 48 hours one does not want to cause any bleeding by excessive activity and motion of the body. Too much motion early on can also cause fluid buildup under the skin. By 10 days one should be safe to travel. However remember many plastic surgery procedures require aftercare and if you are traveling for surgery or traveling after surgery, remember the importance of postoperative follow-up with her surgeon to guide your management for the optimal results.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Recommend that you ask for your surgeon's opinion regarding boarding the flight from CA to Equador. Neither are there hard and fast rules on when to fly after this procedure nor is there little evidenced based medicine to support firm guidelines or recommendations on timing of air travel.  Most would recommend a week or two before flying.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with your Doctor about their protocol for flying after your treatment. You may have swelling, which can last 3-6 months after your procedure. I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear prosette,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. 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

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Yes, you should be perfectly fine, flying home 10 days after surgery, but please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Olivier Deigni, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Without any in-person physical examination, it is difficult to give you any specific answers. However, you state that you will be having liposuction of the abdomen only. Your recovery will likely vary based on how much fat is removed and how much experience your surgeon has. In general, by 10 days you will still have a fair amount of swelling and will likely be wearing compression garments. Your liposuction incisions should be done draining by then and should be healing well. However, anything may be possible. If you develop a complication like a seroma, infection, or a hematoma, you may need active treatment and flying may not be advisable. However, if your postoperative recovery is going well then your surgeon may allow you to travel by plane. This is something you would have to discuss with them in detail.
I recommend that you seek a consultation with a board-eligible or board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and be sure they address all your concerns about liposuction and including the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time and postoperative course, and when it is safe for you to travel by plane. 
I believe a key component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. If you don’t feel you have a good connection after your consultation, then they may not be the best surgeon for you. 
Good luck!
Olivier A. Deigni, MD, MPH
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Sybile Val, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

10 days after this surgery sounds fine, but ask your plastic surgeon what she/he recommends. It is also a good idea to walk around during your flight. Thank you for your question and good luck to you!

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

Since you are having only local anesthesia with oral sedation, there is NO reason that you cannot fly the next day. It is not uncommon to have some fluid leaking from the incisions overnight but you could fly the next day!!!! Therefore, by a week, there is certainly nothing to worry about. The problems occur that after a general anesthesia, there is an increased risk of DVT (blood clots) especially if the case is over 3 hours and especially for certain procedures like hip surgery etc. you should have no problems flying after local anesthesia. of course, you will continue to improve for 6 months after your Smartlipo, so you will still be improving at this early stage. The higher altitude will make no difference.david berman md

How long should I wait to fly after surgery? I will be doing liposculpture with local anesthesia and plan to fly 10 days postop.

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