Can I fly soon after getting my breast augmentation?

Since our patients usually return to work in four days, for sedentary work, flying is not a problem. You can fly any time after surgery, but generally I would wait a day or two and not lift things overhead. I advise my patients to lift their hands overhead five times an hour after surgery, which helps stretch the pectoralis muscle and lessens stiffness. Flying itself has no effect on the implant or stitches. I have never seen stitches "come out" or the wound open up, and I allow aerobic activity at two weeks.

The main risk of flying after breast augmentation, or really any surgical procedure, is the possible development of blood clots in the legs, which could then travel to the lungs. Any surgery performed using a general anesthetic, as most breast augmentations are, raises the risk of blood clots. The best way for you to minimize this risk is to walk often after surgery, beginning on the day of the surgery itself. If you are taking a short flight, and have been walking frequently from the start, the risks are fairly low. If the flight is more than an hour or so, then you should absolutely plan to do some walking during the flight as well to promote circulation. Above all, you must discuss this with your own plastic surgeon.You shouldn't worry about sutures coming out as a result of flying. If you fly within a few weeks of the surgery, be sure to avoid heavy lifting or other strenuous activities.

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.

if you are talking about on a commercial airline, a week would ne plenty of time after your surgery.  Just don't do any heavy lifting and you'll be fine.

Every surgeon has different ways of guiding their patients through the postoperative course that they have developed over years of practice.  Make sure to see what our individual surgeon's recommendations are for travel after this procedure.

It's always best to check on your surgeon's protocol for flying. I have had a patient fly from Philadelphia to Hawaii 9 days post-op and one that flew to Utah the next day after breast augmentation. I use dissolvable, non-visible stitches on the outside of the skin. Neither these nor the outside stitches that some surgeons may use will come because you are flying. Hope this is reassuring and good luck. For more information on this and similar topics, I recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths."

Hello,No, your stitches won't come out. I have many out of town patients get on planes 3 days after breast augmentation. Best of luck. 

Flying will not cause your stitches to come out. That said, you should discuss the issue of flying after surgery with your surgeon. If complications such as bleeding or infection are going to occur, they will typically do so in the first 10 days. Having the patient nearby is helpful if one of these were to occur. 

I appreciate your question.



I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon as every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you are healing at this time.



The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.



Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.



Best of luck!



Dr. Schwartz



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



#RealSelf100Surgeon

I usually make my patients wait 1 week prior to flying after any surgery to decrease the risks of postoperative complications. Your stitches will not pop!!