Sternum wires - going through airport security with metal!

[Warm-heart]

Hello, I have sternum wires following open heart surgery a year ago, & am flying abroad soon, would I need a GP letter for the process of going through airport security with the metal in my chest?

Thank you for any advice!

[gilreid1]

The metal in your chest is 316 st st or titanium. Both none magnetic and very low in carbon and will not set of any scanner. Enjoy your holiday

[Motorman in reply to gilreid1]

More modern scanners will detect ANY metal, even gold. Many airports have older sytems but they are slowly updating.

[gilreid1 in reply to Motorman]

I am sorry. But any scanner will detect what ever you set it for. In all my time being an engineer why do you think they use the types of metal I described. And having traveled extensively since my procedure I have never set of any alarms. I they did go off for everyone with internal wired sternums and various replacement hips,knees and many more medical treatments we would never get thru to any flights But maybe you know more than I do.

[Hidden]

The simple answer is No.

I'm on my third set of sternum wires and have flown abroad on many occasions since 1995 without any letter from doctors. Don't worry about it, just enjoy your holiday.

[Heather1957]

No, you don't even beep when you go through security. I asked the same question after my bypass, I really thought it would set the alarm off!! 😀

[Mentdent]

The most exciting thing that might happens is that someone waves a wand over you to check you aren’t concealing a dangerous set of nail clippers or any other potentially sinister devices.

[Skylajean]

I too have had bypass surgery and i have never set off the alarms with the wire in my chest so i think your ok. Enjoy your hols 😀

[Meme50]

Years ago I had metal nails in my chest and the alarms didn’t go off for me, no problems. Enjoy you trip.

[kalgs]

Always good to get evidence of medication etc

[Hidden]

My husband had a replacement hip joint and also worried like you about setting off alarm. He did on his first trip but it wasn’t his hip is was his belt buckle … he didn’t know he had to remove that lol. This was years ago certainly

[Dralex]

I used to work in airport security and can confirm that it is extremely unlikely your sternum wires will set off an alarm when passing through an AMD (archway metal detector). The metal detectors are set at a level to allow minimal amounts through, otherwise everyone with a paperclip in their pocket, or wearing a bra (!), would have to be given a full search.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I have been to Spain twice since my surgery they don't make the scanner go off, happy holidays char

[Wingnutty]

If ever you have a chest x-ray, have a look at it to see if you can spot the sternal wires. They are like very thin guitar strings and I mean thin. Not much metal in them at all.

[Handel]

Hi Warm-heart. No you won't set off a security alert!!We flew to Ireland shortly after my hubby's quad bypass and the scanner didn't set the alarms ringing.Enjoy your trip abroad.

Lots of love. Jan xxxx

[080311 in reply to Handel]

I haven’t set the scanners off either, though there is a first time for everything! Flying a week today, let’s hope John doesn’t either! Have all my paperwork in place, fingers crossed.

Love Pauline xx

[Handel in reply to 080311]

You and the family are always in our thoughts. We'll be marking John's journey on 21st July with a skyward nod as the sun sets.

Lots of love and hugs to you and your lovely family. Jan xxxx

[080311 in reply to Handel]

Thank you Jan, think once I have completed his final wishes I will feel better. I just need to say wishing him calm seas and fair winds. Safe journey until we are together again. At the moment he is sitting on my lamp table! I am going to miss him being there when I get back from Dorset! Hope you and yours are doing well, take really good care.

Love Pauline xx

[Handel in reply to 080311]

Hello Pauline. When John sails off into the sunset, there'll be some closure. The lamp table certainly can't match the open sea!Always thinking of you. Jan xxxxx

[Warm-heart in reply to Handel]

THANK YOU ALL for your kind replies, tremendously helpful.

Good to know that I don't need a GP letter or anything, though I have my post surgery letter on my phone stating stainless steel sternal wires are in me if needed. But sounds like it absolutely won't set any alarms off! Thanks for all your good wishes too!