Safely Traveling Before or After Cosmetic Surgery

It is becoming more common for prospective cosmetic surgery patients to select a surgeon based on his or her skills and reputation, rather than geographical convenience. This means that more patients may be traveling long distances, many times by plane, to have their surgery done. Whereas previously, patients were not necessarily concerned about how soon after their cosmetic surgery they could safely fly, this is becoming a growing concern. There are safety concerns to keep in mind when flying just before or after cosmetic surgery.

Safely Flying Before a Cosmetic Procedure

Most of the safety concerns with flying before a cosmetic procedure involve properly preparing the body for undergoing a surgical procedure. Sitting for long hours on a flight can cause poor circulation to the lower legs, resulting in swollen ankles and feet (edema). If not carefully monitored, this swelling may be a sign of blood clots, which can be a complication for surgical procedures. Wearing medical support stockings on the flight will reduce the amount of swelling. These stockings are made of woven elastic that compresses and massages the legs, stimulating proper circulation. If patients expect to have long layovers for connecting flights, it is a good idea to walk around the terminal near the connecting gate to help the circulation flow.

Dehydration before the day of surgery is another concern. Keeping the body properly hydrated reduces the risk of possible problems with respiration and heartbeat. Unfortunately, the circulated air inside airplanes is usually very dry, which can cause dehydration. Patients should drink plenty of water before the flight. They should also avoid coffee and tea on the flight, as both are known to dehydrate the body.

Finally, alcohol should be avoided during the flight. Alcohol is a known blood-thinner, so may increase the risk for bleeding during and immediately after the surgical procedure. To be safe, patients should stop alcohol consumption starting two to three weeks prior to the surgery.

Safely Flying After Cosmetic Surgery

Patients are well-advised to take the same precautions when flying after a cosmetic surgical procedure. Preventing blood clots, dehydration, or blood thinning after surgery will speed healing and recovery. In most cases, it is recommended that patients wait until the first full week after surgery, once the first follow-up visit with the surgeon has been completed.

However, it is important for patients to also avoid any unnecessary physical exertion within the first week after a surgical procedure. This includes running to try to catch flights and lifting or pulling heavy luggage. Such activities not only increase the heart and respiration rates, but may also cause swelling or bleeding from moving heavy luggage. This is an excellent time to take advantage of taxi or shuttle services, as well as using the curbside check-in for luggage. It may also be a good idea to consider making arrangements with the airline in advance for wheelchair service to get to and from departure gates. Requesting early boarding may also be a good idea, particularly if the patient is slower than usual in moving around.

With a bit of advance planning, there is no reason patients should be limited in terms of the location of the surgeon of their choice. Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.