How Long After Surgery Can You Fly? Wait Times by Procedure

It depends on the operation. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) suggests waiting 5 to 7 days after body procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation, and 7 to 10 days after facial procedures such as facelifts, eyelid surgery and nose jobs (ASPS). The CDC advises medical travelers not to fly for 10 days after chest or abdominal surgery (CDC). Your surgeon may advise a longer wait based on your health and how you are healing.

Why flying soon after surgery is risky

Blood clots

Surgery and long flights each raise the risk of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Together, the risk is higher still (ASPS). The CDC Yellow Book also notes that air travel and surgery each independently increase clot risk (CDC).

For healthy travelers, the risk is small. A World Health Organization project cited by the UK Civil Aviation Authority found about one clot for every 4,656 flights longer than 4 hours. But the same guidance lists recent major surgery, leg surgery, age over 40 and birth control pills among the factors that raise risk (UK CAA). The NHS also lists long journeys of more than 4 hours, by plane, car or train, as a time of higher risk (NHS).

Gas and air pressure

Airplane cabins are pressurized to the equivalent of about 8,000 feet. At that altitude, gas inside the gut expands by about 30%. After abdominal surgery this can strain stitches and cause bleeding (UK CAA). Gas left in the belly after keyhole surgery, in the skull after brain surgery, or in the eye after retina repair can expand in the same way.

Lower oxygen

Cabin air carries less oxygen. The UK aviation health unit notes that many patients are anemic after surgery, and that elderly, anemic or dehydrated patients, or those with heart or lung disease, may need to delay travel or arrange in-flight oxygen (UK CAA).

How long to wait before flying, by procedure

A few notes on the table. A tummy tuck is a body procedure, but the NHS groups it with facial procedures at 7 to 10 days, longer than the ASPS range for body procedures. Bariatric surgery is usually laparoscopic, yet it is still abdominal surgery, so the 10-day guidance applies. And we found no official guidance for hip or knee replacement or dental implants in these sources. Leg surgery is a known clot risk factor (UK CAA), so ask your surgeon for a specific plan.

These are minimums, not targets

All of these numbers assume a normal recovery. If you have a complication, a fever, heavy swelling, or you are still on strong pain medicine, you may need to wait longer. The CDC lists other things that raise clot risk, including older age, obesity, a past blood clot, estrogen use, pregnancy, cancer and limited mobility (CDC). A longer flight adds to the risk too. Talk to your surgeon about your personal risk, and ask for a "fit to fly" check before you leave. A short follow-up visit the day before your flight is a good time to confirm that your wounds, swelling and pain are on track.

How to lower your blood-clot risk on the flight

The CDC lists these measures for travelers at higher risk of clots (CDC):

• Walk around the cabin often and do calf exercises in your seat.
• Choose an aisle seat so it is easy to get up.
• Wear properly fitted compression stockings (15 to 30 mmHg).
• For the highest-risk travelers, doctors may prescribe a blood-thinning injection. The UK aviation health unit advises against aspirin for this purpose (UK CAA), and the CDC does not recommend it as a first choice.

Surgeons interviewed by ASPS also suggest staying well hydrated and getting up to walk for 5 to 10 minutes for every hour of sitting (ASPS). Ask your surgeon before taking any medicine for the flight, especially blood thinners.

Know the warning signs of a clot

Clots can form during the flight or days to weeks afterward (ASPS). The NHS lists these signs of DVT: throbbing pain in one leg (usually the calf or thigh), swelling in one leg, red or darkened skin around the painful area, and swollen veins (NHS). Get emergency help (call 911 in the U.S.) if leg pain or swelling comes with shortness of breath or chest pain, which can signal a clot in the lungs.

Airline rules

Airlines have their own rules. ASPS reports that flight crews will not let passengers lie down for the whole flight: you must be able to sit upright (ASPS). That matters after a BBL, when many patients try to avoid sitting on their buttocks. If you have had recent surgery or an injury, check with your airline before you fly, and carry a letter from your surgeon.

Planning a trip for surgery abroad

The NHS says it is unrealistic to plan a holiday straight after cosmetic surgery, because that raises the chance of something going wrong (NHS). Build the wait into your trip from the start:

• Book your return flight for after your surgeon's recommended wait, with a flexible ticket in case you need longer.
• Stay somewhere you can rest and walk around safely. Our guide to recovery houses in Tijuana explains one common option.
• Get copies of your medical records in English before you leave (CDC).
• Arrange a doctor at home who can see you if problems start after you return.

Our questions to ask a plastic surgeon include when it is safe to fly. For destination checks, read Is plastic surgery in Mexico safe?, Is it safe to get a BBL in Mexico? and Is a gastric sleeve in Mexico safe?, and see what insurance covers abroad.

The bottom line

Plan on at least 5 to 7 days before flying after breast surgery or liposuction, 7 to 10 days after facial surgery or a tummy tuck, and 10 days after abdominal or chest surgery, including bariatric surgery. Eye and brain surgery have their own rules. Move often on the plane, know the signs of a clot, and let your surgeon decide when you are fit to fly.