Will I be okay to travel after lipo and a thigh lift abroad?

Question

I am booked in for lipo and a groin incision thigh lift abroad and I am concerned about flying home 2 days later to the UK and then a 3 hour car ride home from the airport, will I be up to this or will it be too much

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. Generally, most patients can fly within 24 to 48 hours after liposuction 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.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There are a lot of factors to consider in this situation so that safety and your best result can be assured.

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The thigh lift is a major operation.  I think traveling that soon after the surgery you would be at high risk for blood clot in your leg (DVT) or some type of wound healing problem.  I would recommend waiting 2 weeks prior to travel after such a procedure.

Gustavo E. Galante, MD · Answer

The travel distance and the amount of time  sitting in one position may be a bit much for only 2 days after surgery. Not only will you be uncomfortable, but you may be at higher risk for a blood clot in your legs or your lungs. You need to be more mobile after the surgery to avoid this. Also, remember that your surgeon may want to see you within the first week or two to make sure you are healing well. You will be quite a ways away if you develop a problem after surgery. Discusss this at length with your surgeon.

Joseph Raniere Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Liposuction and a short scar thigh lift is still considered a major surgical procedure and early and prolonged travel so soon after would not be advisable.  There is a considerably higher risk for DVT (deep venous thrombosis/"blood clots") and subsequent pulmonary embolism (blood clots that travel through your veins and lodge within your lungs) and the immobility associated with early prolonged travel puts you at a much higher risk for the development of these potentially life threatening complications.  In addition, you would not have had the opportunity for appropriate follow up with your treating surgeon.  Most complications such as delayed healing and infection do not occur until several days after surgery so if you were to experience a complication you may have difficulty in obtaining appropriate care.  My advice is to stay locally where you have the surgery until your surgeon clears you for travel or have your surgery performed closer to where you live.  If you are traveling abroad because  of a cheaper price, be careful.  Please make sure you are being cared for by a board certified plastic surgeon with an appropriate level of experience and patient volume for the procedure(s) you are undergoing.  Best wishes!

Shady Hayek, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

There are 2 folds for thus question. The first is related to your comfort and pain and I think that a 2 day recovery time is a too short period. Usually I tell my patients that they can start tolerating ADLs at around 1 to 2 weeks postoperative. The second issue is related to safety as long flights are known to be a risk for thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which can be exaggerated in the immediate postop period. My advise is to travel at least one week postop and to make sure that you move frequently during the flight and to discuss with your doctor the need for a blood thinner before the flight.
Best of luck
Shady Hayek

Will I be okay to travel after lipo and a thigh lift abroad?

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