Is it true that there is no flying for 6 months after you are sleeved? It’s on my list of questions next time I see the surgeon but a friend told me this and I’m curious.

I've already flown a couple of time.

6 months...no, I have never seen that precedent.

Could you perhaps have heard 6 weeks? While risk diminishes greatly in the first two weeks after surgery, you are still at risk for blood clots for about 6 weeks. I could see advice being given not to fly for this long if the flight is long and you are not able to stretch your legs and walk.

Definitely ask your doctor, but I think as long as you can stretch your legs and walk a little every hour or so, and sit fairly comfortably, you should be ok to fly long before 6 months.

I flew home the next day after surgery. 3 hrs total flight time. No problems

I’m flying home (2hrs flight) 48hrs after mine, I maybe wouldn’t want to do long haul for a while though!

Okay thanks all! I thought 6 months sounded crazy maybe she just typed it incorrectly. I’ll ask my doctor! Thanks

Just chiming in ... I fly nearly weekly for work, and started at 3 weeks post op

I will go about 6 weeks after my surgery to Europe. So far my surgeon haven’t said anything against it.

My surgeon said he was okay with me flying two weeks after surgery.

Yes, there’s a chance you’ll be able to cross your legs while sitting in coach and there’s an even greater chance you won’t encroach on your seatmates’ space.

My surgeon prefers we wait three months but said if we must 6 weeks is the time period to wait

I will be flying four days after sugery. My doc is not concerned. I wonder why there would be any need to wait? Its not like going up in the air is going to undo your stitches.

I flew exactly a month later and was fine

I flew exactly a month later and was fine

54 minutes ago, Meggs11 said:

I will be flying four days after sugery. My doc is not concerned. I wonder why there would be any need to wait? Its not like going up in the air is going to undo your stitches.

Prolonged sitting (or laying), particularly in a confined space like an airplane, puts you at risk for a blood clot. Having surgery also puts you at risk for a clot, which is why we do things like take anticoagulants, get up and walk around frequently, and wear those booties while in our beds after surgery. A 6 week break from flying is pretty standard for any type of operation when blood flow has either stopped or slowed.

I flew 5 hours total between two flights 4 days after surgery.

I’m flying to have my sleeve done and flying back. so that’s not true. Just make sure you have compression socks on