Travel restrictions before surgery? I am 5'6", 130 lbs.

The concern with long travel before surgery would be related to the formation of blood clots. Different offices will have different policies, so you can call around and see what other offices in your area say, I personally don't have a restriction on travel prior to surgery. I would advise wearing some light compression stockings on the plane and getting up to walk a little bit every hour or so to make sure the blood doesn't pool in your legs, however if you have no specific risk factors for blood clots there shouldn't be too much worry. Hope that helps! 

There are no set rules in this regard. What matters the most is the recommendations from the surgeon performing your surgery so I would recommend having this discussion with your surgeon. You should have a thorough pre-operative discussion regarding all aspects of both pre and post-op care, restrictions, and answers to all of your questions.  Best of luck.

Hello! The concern with travel is related to elevated risk of blood clots. As long as you remain well hydrated, walk throughout the flight and make sure your belt is not tight around your waist you should be ok. If you can wait a week until after travel you may consider a baby aspirin for your travel day. Two weeks is on the conservative side - you may want to have further discussion with your surgeon.

It's always best to abide by what your surgeon directs leading up to, and after, surgery.  That said, other than making sure you are healthy, well rested and well nourished heading into surgery, I am not aware of any benefit to placing travel restrictions on patients PRIOR to surgery.  On a 16 hour flight you need to be very aware of the potential for developing a blood clot with prolonged inactivity in cramped quarters, so it would be best to get up and walk around and stretch at least every few hours if not more.  You should hydrate well as well.  Best of luck to you.

Thanks for your question.There are no hard and fast rules, but you certainly want to be healthy and in good shape prior to your surgery. In this day and age many patients travel before surgery.You also don't want to be exhausted. If you are traveling try to maintain your overall health.  Avoid any blood thinning medications, eat a healthy and balanced diet. Stay well hydrated especially if you are on a plane for a long time and be sure to move your legs frequently to avoid blood clots. Be sure your bloodwork is done ahead of schedule and is normal. If your trip requires any vaccinations or medications be sure your PS knows. Avoid a sunburn as you don't want to confuse it for a fever after surgery. Be sure you are not travelling after surgery until cleared by your PS.Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! To answer your question, the travel restrictions that the surgeons you spoke with mentioned are probably due to concerns about blood clots. Overseas travel generally involves long plane flights with extended periods of sitting, which can put you at risk for blood clots and cause dangerous surgical complications. That being said, if you do what you can to make sure you aren’t sitting for a long time, that will definitely help. My best advice is to schedule an appointment for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They will be able to examine you and answer all of your questions, as well as give you recommendations for avoiding blood clots prior to surgery. Good luck!

Thank you for your question! Generally, traveling should not be an issue before surgery as long as you avoid long periods of sitting still. As other doctors have mentioned, extended periods of immobility may cause blood clots, which is why some plastic surgeons strongly advice against traveling. If you must travel, make sure to exercise your legs and walk around every once in a while. You may also want to consult your plastic surgeon to determine if wearing support stockings would be beneficial for you during your trip. 
An in-person exam with a board-certified surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and obtain expert medical advice. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question.  Although there are no hard rules regarding this, your surgeon is concerned about the development of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in your legs during your long travel.  These clots develop because of stasis of blood flow in the legs.  To reduce this risk, wear compression stockings, stretch your legs and get up to walk frequently.  Also, taking a baby aspirin is sometimes suggested before a long flight but it would delay your surgery at least 1 week.  It's best to follow the advice of your surgeon as he or she knows your medical history best.  Good luck!

Surgeon opinions on this topic will vary.  It is best to follow the advice of your surgeon as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and surgical plan.  The main concern with flying is blood clots.  It's important to stay hydrated and move around as much as possible during long flights.  If you can't get up, rotate your ankles frequently and consider the use of compression hose.

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. We do not typically restrict a patient's travel BEFORE their surgery, but this is ultimately up to the discretion of your surgeon. Of course, you will need an in-person consultation to evaluate you for this procedure. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. Any treatment plan should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.    Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS 

Harvard educated plastic surgeon