Can I fly overseas after Eyelid Surgery?

Question

I am planning to fly over to Korea on June 16. I've scheduled to get my Full Incision Upper Blephoraplasty on June 18. While I am there, in 2 1/2 weeks I will be flying to Jeju Island (1 hour flight), then back to Korea, then I will be flying to Tokyo on July 14, then back to Virginia on the same day (10 hour flight). I'm a little concerned about the amount of stops I am making by plane after my surgery. Is it enough time for my eyelids to heal before I get on my plane?

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. You should be able to flying by 1-2 weeks after your surgery. If any unexpected incident happens in your treatment process, this time can be extended or shortened. I wish you all the best.

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

I usually tell my patients they can fly after 10-14 days. However, I'm not your surgeon and you should listen to him. I think, however, that you should limit your travel just in case a complication occurs and you need to see your surgeon.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

these are issues you need to discuss with your surgeon. Especially in the early postoperative period, you would benefit from being in close proximity to your surgeon in case of any potential postoperative complications.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we aske patients not to fly for approximately 10 days after their procedure so that they can have adequate followup with the surgeon during the healing phase. The air pressure changes with a planef light may temporally make the eyelids more swollen, it should not affect the end result. It is best to check with your operative surgeon.

Daniel Kaufman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry. If only upper blepharoplasty is done, then there should be no significant problems with the globe-trotting. Mostly the problem with flying after surgery is the possibility of generating blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that may shoot up to the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE), which can be a devastating, even fatal, complication. This is a result of sitting still of laying down for long periods of time. The eyelid lift you're talking about is relatively simple, so not much to worry about there. During the fights, however, and especially in the long flights, it is definitely recommended to get up and move around as much as you can so as to prevent the aforementioned complications. Good luck and hope this helps.

Can I fly overseas after Eyelid Surgery?

Answers (5)

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