Flying before Plastic Surgery, is this too risky?

The risk to flying before a plastic surgery procedure is related to developing a blood clot, which can occur if the flight is particularly long and if you don't move around much while on board.  There are known reasons that would predispose someone to developing a blood clot in the air, or ultimately on the OR table shortly thereafter.  Some of these reasons include the duration and type of surgery, if the patient is taking birth control, or if certain medical conditions are present.  All these risks should be taken into consideration by your doctor to determine what is safe for you.  In order to get a qualified, expert opinion always have an in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Best of luck,Keith M. Blechman, MDNew York, NY

The primary concern with flying before (as well as after) plastic surgery is the risk for blood clots. Your plastic surgeon knows if you have any health considerations that would predispose you to developing clots, which is why it’s of utmost importance to check with them about your travel plans. They may advise you to stay well-hydrated during the flight, as well as to get up and walk around the cabin every 30 minutes or so to promote blood circulation. Best of luck to you. 

When flying, even in the absence of planned surgery, it is a good idea to get up often and stretch. In particular long flights you may want to wear compression stocking to keep the blood flowing. I would also advise drinking lots of fluids.

Travel by air is generally considered one of the safest methods of travel, but it can pose health risks even if you aren’t recovering from surgery. These risks are heightened during your recovery period, which is when you’re likely to be traveling.

Clotting is a particularly concerning risk for patients, especially if the clot is a deep vein thrombosis. A deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a clot that forms in the deeper veins. The clot can become quite large over time without being detected. Eventually, the clot can become large enough that smaller pieces break off and begin moving through the blood stream. If that piece gets stuck in your heart, you could have a heart attack. If it gets stuck in your brain, you could have a stroke. If it gets lodged in your lungs, you could have a pulmonary embolism. All these effects are potentially fatal, which is why a DVT is such a big deal.

DVTs tend to form when people are sitting in one position for long periods of time. On a plane, you’re doing exactly that, especially if the flight is long. There is limited space available for you to stretch and move around in order to keep your blood moving. Your access to fluids is also limited to what you bring with you and what you can get from the flight attendants. 

Choose accommodations that allow you the most maneuverability. Choose an exit row or economy plus seat to give yourself room to stretch. An aisle seat gives you access to the aisle so you can get up and move around during the flight. Before you get on the plane, try to be as active as you can, even if that just means standing instead of sitting. Being active gets your blood moving, which will help protect you during the flight. Pack an empty water bottle, fill it up before you get on the plane, and try to drink water throughout the flight. If you need more fluids, don’t be afraid to ask the flight attendant.

I suggest to ask to your surgeon another ways to prevent the risks!

Good luck :)

Thank you for your question. It is ok to fly before as you are saying your PS aware of this. Make sure you are hydrated well.