The opportunity to fly overseas to get bariatric surgery, especially to locations like Mexico, where the quality of care is nearly equal to that in the US, is enticing. That’s true for those seeking bariatric surgery, one of the most impactful methods for weight loss available today. Yet, getting to and from Mexico poses an issue.
Is it safe to fly after laparoscopic bariatric surgery?
Flying after laparoscopic bariatric surgery is safe, as soon, as 2 days post-operatively. Modern jet airplanes are pressured which reduce health risks. However, we advise these tips if you’re flying soon after bariatric surgery, especially on longer flights:
- Wear compression socks
- Regularly stand during the flight
- Walking during the flight, to the bathroom or in your aisle
- Keep hydrated
- Do leg exercises on the flight
- Select an aisle seat to easily get up from your seat
- Purchase two connecting flights instead of a longer flight (allowing you to take a moderate break between flights)
The CDC says flying or traveling by car or train longer than 4 hours increases your risks. We recommend breaking up a long flight after bariatric surgery.
Leg Exercises to Reduce Risks:
- Extend your legs straight out and flex your ankles (pulling your toes toward you).
- Exercise your calf muscles (push your
- If you can tolerate this – slowly pull each knee up toward the chest – hold it there with your hands on your lower leg for 15 seconds, and repeat up to 10 times. DON’T over bend your legs.
Postoperative Recovery Timeline
Prior to having this procedure, discuss what happens after with your doctor thoroughly. Each medical provider may have different recommendations. More so, some doctors want to provide longer, in-person care especially for higher risk patients.
Typically, a person needs to spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital if they have bariatric surgery.
The initial recovery will involve significant management of pain and recovery from anesthesia. This could lead to some vomiting, fatigue, and pain. Many people feel lightheaded or no longer want to eat. Diarrhea can also be a factor. This is also when emotional complications become harder to manage.
Always follow your doctor’s advice for getting moving. However, most research indicates that the sooner a person begins to be active, the fewer complications and the more success they have overall. Typically, that means getting up and out of bed within the first day or so. Progress from there typically takes gradual improvements.
Consultation with Healthcare Professionals
Before you make any travel plans, set up a video consultation with a medical provider to talk about the procedure, risks, and opportunities. You should know, up front:
- How long the procedure will take
- How long you will remain in the hospital
- What the postoperative care needs will be
- When you need to get postoperative check-ups
- And when you can safely travel home
If you are planning to fly, it is critical that you discuss flying with your doctor. The type of anesthesia, procedure used, and your overall health will impact how long they make you wait before you fly home.
Potential Risks and Complications
Why is flying right after surgery a bad idea? It’s due to the numerous types of complications that can arise. Specifically, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening condition that has a much higher risk of occurring during airline flight. The lack of ability to walk and move can cause a blood clot to form. If it reaches your heart or brain, you could suffer long-term implications.
Other risks to be aware about include Pulmonary Embolisms – which can cause death.
Walking and moving around the flight is imperative after bariatric surgery. Walking and moving will reduce the risk of forming a blood clot.
Additionally, there is discomfort involved. You will be tender and need to move around more to get gas moving through your digestive system. Changes in the cabin pressure and the lack of ability to stretch can make this uncomfortable.
Tip: Purchase Extra Compression Socks – So you can wear a new pair while traveling.
Timeframe for Safe Travel
Ultimately, it is critical for you to decide to fly based on what your doctor recommends. Most often, a person will need 7 to 10 days, and sometimes as long as several weeks, to heal enough to be comfortable to fly. This depends on the type of procedure, the level of care your doctor recommends, and your overall health. Some doctors recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks for longer flights, and for those traveling around the globe, 6 months may be the recommendation.
Hydration and Nutrition
A core component of your recovery will be how well you can remain hydrated and meet your body’s nutritional goals. Staying hydrated helps your body to properly maintain blood pressure, heart rate, and overall well-being. That’s critical before getting on a plane. Nutrition is also important. If you are not eating or getting limited nutrition, it can impact everything from heart disease to your body’s ability to heal. That, too, leads to complications with bariatric procedures.
Because a person who has just had bariatric surgery is more likely to suffer dehydration or nutrition complications as their body adjusts, it is critical to consider giving your body time to adjust before getting on a plane.
Cabin Comfort and Mobility
Without a doubt, your plane ride home could be more difficult than prior to your procedure. Here are some tips that could help:
- Choose the seat on the plane with the most legroom possible. This gives you more space to move around in.
- Consider buying more than one seat if your budget allows. This, again, gives you the ability to move if you need to.
- On the plane, make it a point to walk. Go to the bathroom, stand up, and stretch. That helps to reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
- Bring a pillow with you that allows you to put pressure on your stomach to alleviate some of the pain you have.
Always have a plan for any remaining surgical areas. You should know how to keep them safe, how to properly care for the wounds, and how to minimize infections.
Medication and Medical Documentation
If you are given medication to take, you will need to travel with it in the prescription bottles with your name clearly present on them. You also need to have a letter from your medical provider about your health care needs and any medical concerns you believe the airline should know about, especially if you are flying long distances alone.
Precautions for Long-Haul Flights
Longer flights mean more risk and higher levels of discomfort. Recognize that and plan for it. You may find that two shorter flights are a better option. Also, note that you will need to get up and move to prevent complications. That’s not always easy to do on small planes.
Work closely with your doctor to ensure you have the right plan in place to maximize your results. Flying too soon could put your procedure’s success on the line.