Can I fly 3 months post tummy tuck on a 10 hour flight to Europe or will it be too soon and cause swelling?

Question

Good morning, I am scheduled for my tummy tuck on April 5 th 2017. I am wondering if I will be able to fly in 3 months on a long 10 hour flight to Europe or will it be too soon and cause swelling? Thank you for your professional opinion.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Healing after a tummy tuck is usually retty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The later phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. At 3 months post surgery you should be fine to take a long flight, although the best person to advice you will be your specific surgeon as every surgeon has their own preferences as to recovery for specific procedures.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. Generally, most patients can fly within 2 to 4 weeks after Tummy Tuck surgery. However, car or airplane travel should be avoided to prevent the risk of blood clots in the legs. I wish you all the best.

Christopher J. Morea, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I think it will be perfectly fine for you to fly 3 months after your tummy tuck. As with any long flight I would recommend you get up and walk a little during the flight to help prevent DVT which is clots forming in the leg veins. I would also recommend you wear some compression stockings. Best of luck

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Hi there. If everything goes as per normal recovery following an abdominoplasty I don't see any problem for you to fly long distance after three months. I would suggest you to wear compression stocking on your legs while flying to prevent deep vein thrombosis, which may occur following any long surgery.should there be any delay in wound healing you may want to check with your surgeon before your travel to confirm the same.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

By 3 months you should be able to do just about anything if you have healed well.  It is always good to stay well hydrated and move around a lot on the plane. Check with your surgeon.

David Rosenstein, MD · Answer

If you are completely healed at the 3 month mark you are more than welcome to take a 10 hour flight to Europe! I do recommend you wear a compression garment and compression stockings to avoid excessive swelling. I also recommend to my patients that need to fly after surgery to try and stand up and stretch often. If you voice your concern and let a flight attendant know you just underwent surgery and need to stand and stretch often during the flight they will be more likely to help you. Best of luck and enjoy Europe!

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Congratulations on your upcoming tummy tuck surgery.  By 3 months after tummy tuck you should be able to fly on a long flight to Europe without difficulty..  Of course will depend on your recovery and approval by your plastic surgeon.

Can I fly 3 months post tummy tuck on a 10 hour flight to Europe or will it be too soon and cause swelling?

Answers (7)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Is my belly button too high? (Photo)

Tummy tuck and breast reduction - together or separate? Could I go back to work after 2 weeks? (Photo)

Full back lipo and tummy tuck - swelling.

Is a Panniculectomy safe?

At what point should I be concerned that the right side of mons pubis is significantly swollen 10 days after tummy tuck?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS