I know this probably sounds like a crazy or stupid question, but I have to ask... I'm going to be flying out of state the end of the month, and I'm just curious to know if the staples from the surgery can cause the metal detector to go off when I go through security? Just wondering if I need to take any of my hospital paperwork with me showing I had surgery. I will be 6 weeks post op when I fly. Thanks!

I know this probably sounds like a crazy or stupid question, but I have to ask... I'm going to be flying out of state the end of the month, and I'm just curious to know if the staples from the surgery can cause the metal detector to go off when I go through security? Just wondering if I need to take any of my hospital paperwork with me showing I had surgery. I will be 6 weeks post op when I fly. Thanks!

You will be fine. I made it through.

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I know this probably sounds like a crazy or stupid question, but I have to ask... I'm going to be flying out of state the end of the month, and I'm just curious to know if the staples from the surgery can cause the metal detector to go off when I go through security? Just wondering if I need to take any of my hospital paperwork with me showing I had surgery. I will be 6 weeks post op when I fly. Thanks!

They should be titanium and shouldn't set off the detector. You can always show them your scars

That's good to know. My scars are almost completely gone, so that wouldn't work.

No. Surgical staples won't set it off

I doubt the staples will, but my knee replacement does because it has titanium ad two other metals.

So, what do they do when you set off the metal detector? You just tell them you had need replacement? I'm sure they can see a scar for that.

They don’t set the detectors off. My underwire does though.
I was also told it doesn’t disqualify you for mri procedures going forward so you should be all good.

Thats a good question glad you asked.

19 hours ago, Lannie said:

No. Surgical staples won't set it off

Thanks for the information! Oh wow, I had not thought about an MRI. Good to know!

So, what do they do when you set off the metal detector? You just tell them you had need replacement? I'm sure they can see a scar for that.

Staples won’t set it off but many things do. My mom has had a hip replacement and always sets off the metal detector. They don’t really do much. Here’s the process.m: She walks through the big metal detector, it beeps, they ask if she has anything in her pockets, she says no but then tells them she has metal in her body. They say ok and pull her aside a few feet away. Then they have someone use one of the hand held security wands and roam it over her body. They then send her on her way. I have flown with her all over the world and been in probably 100 airports. This is how it has happened every single time, no matter what country. No big deal at all.

So, if you have any metal or someone you’re with does, no worries. They are used to it. No need for any documentation or anything like that.


As of October 12, 2017, I am 4 months post op and have lost 100 pounds. I have reached my goal weight and could not be more ecstatic!

Thank you for this information!! And Congratulations on your weight loss!!! That is so wonderful!!!