Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Flying after sleeve



Recommended Posts

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I flew exactly a month later and was fine


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I flew exactly a month later and was fine


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×