Flying after lipoma removal?

Question

I'm 52 and in good health (just had all bloods done this week) The lump is on my right hand side just level with my breast area on the rib cage area The bump measures approx 5 inches by 2 inches. How long should i wait before I fly transatlantic journey? It will be a local anaesthetic at doctor surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The board certified PS who performs your lipoma surgery will provide your discharge or post-operative care instructions.  If you have an uneventful surgery, no unusual bleeding or issues with your stitches, no fever or chills, and your wound is not red, swollen or draining, you should be able to commence your transatlantic journey within two weeks.  However, the best advice will come from your PS who knows how you are healing.

Ryan Mitchell, DO, FAOCO · Answer

Hello,     Thank you for your question. You really need to wait until after the surgery has been performed to ask your doctor how long you should wait to fly.   You state that you have a 5”x 2“ mass on your rib cage. You have not even had the surgery yet potentially. You’re not sure how well the surgery is going to go, if there will be any post-operative bleeding, wound healing issues or infection. With your question as stated, I would say safely you will need to wait a month following the surgery to fly so far away unless you aren’t afraid of seeking medical care where you are headed in case of a complication. If however the surgery goes well and the sutures come out 7 to 10 days following surgery and there are no complications, you can probably fly within two weeks following surgery.  please ask your surgeon this question.Best regards,Dr. Ryan Mitchell

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It is always best to check with your particular surgeon for instructions after surgery, but there are a couple of issues that could influence when you could fly after removal of a lipoma on your torso.  First, you most likely will need to have some sutures removed, and these could remain in place for 10-14 days.  Second, it would be important to make sure there is no bleeding after the surgery, and I would most likely recommend waiting about 2-3 days just to make sure there is no issue before you leave the proximity of your surgeon.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Assuming no issues with surgery you should be able to fly within a few days, but to be safe, wait at least a week.  Hope this helps.

Chris Funderburk, MD · Answer

From your description, this sounds like a relatively minor procedure.
 Check with your hand surgeon, but I bet he will say, “Enjoy your flight as early as the next day.”

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