Fear of Flying

daveintoronto · March 24, 2007

Hello everyone, can anyone help me with a quick question.

I am scheduled for surgery on April 5th and I have a meeting booked in Dallas on April 10th. Toronto to Dallas flight.

Will I have any problems flying this quickly after surgery? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

barbara465 · March 25, 2007

I've heard of others dong something similar. If you don't have any problems you should be OK. You will be swolen and may have gas. You won't have the problems with clothes and bras as the ladies have. I would take GasX with you and maybe some liquid tylenol.

The plane ride could be a little uncomfortable. Wear comfortable clothing, drink Water, and get up as much as you can and walk around.

Since you will be on liquds you might want to pack some Protein drinks so you don't have to go hunt for them. Keep yourself hydrated, but don't force too much food if you're allowed any.

Usually after surgery you don't have a fill or not much of any. You will be swollen and some of us that fly notice we get tighter. Be aware of that so you don't try to force anything down more than you can handle.

Hope this helps. Good luck. If you can postpone your meeting at least a week it would be better and you would be less anxious. If not, good luck.

Syrah · March 25, 2007

Dave, I have heard that you should not fly for at least one month after surgery. The concern is bloodclots. I asked my doctor about this because I have a trip to make 5 weeks after my surgery. Both my surgeon and personal physician said this would be ok. But there is a woman in my town who flew pretty soon after her surgery and she died from a bloodclot. Defintely ask your surgeon about this. You may need to postpone your surgery (which might be a good idea anyway -- traveling one week after surgery sounds like kind of a nightmare, aside from the bloodclot issue).

barbara465 · March 25, 2007

Well what about all those that go to Mexico or another state to have their surgery? All of them had to fly home. THe ones on here seemed to do OK. Its not ideal, for other reasons, but if you have to then just take the precautions necessary. If you can fly first class to get more room.

daveintoronto · March 25, 2007

Thanks guys, I will ask my surgeon but you make a great point Barbara, anyone who travells to have the surgery done needs to fly shortly after surgery. I feel better.

Thanks

HelenC · March 25, 2007

Dave, I had my surgery in Dallas on 2/14, and was supposed to fly to Ohio on 2/16. My doctor had no problem with it whatsoever. I ended up NOT going because I still felt like I had been hit by a truck, but I could have.

Spydr · March 26, 2007

Make sure to have a pillow or two to put on your belly as the seatbelt may ride your port area. My port was lower at first and a pillow gave me some comfort.