Flying after laparoscopy

[Saraht100]

Hi

Has anyone flown soonish after having a laparoscopy?

I am due to be going on holiday in a few weeks - it will be exactly 6 weeks after my operation.

Does anyone know if this is ok?

I didn’t get a chance to ask my surgeons after my op as I was very dazed. I’m not due back for my follow up until after the holiday.

Thanks

[Dee11]

I had surgery last week and am flying out in two weeks time, long haul. Although I’ll be speaking to my GP about it when I see her this week to check if I need to do anything specific, the only thing that’s been mentioned to me so far other than making sure I’m not lifting any heavy cases is that the risk of DVT might still be higher for me (more because I’m long haul) so might need to wear those lovely stockings flying x

[Dee11 in reply to Dee11]

Hey, I just thought I’d let you know that I spoke to my GP about flying. I’m gonna be flying about 15 hours or so each way so I definitely need the stockings, but if you’re only an hour or two then you would probably be ok. She’s also just recommended to keep really hydrated the days you’re travelling, and walk as much as possible round the airport and when you’re on the plane. Then obviously when you get there it’s just all the usual things like making sure your wounds are kept clean etc. Other than that, so long as you’ve not got any infections prior to going, then you shouldn’t have to do anything different. Although my boyfriends been warned that he’s doing all the heavy lifting with the cases 😉 x

[Saraht100 in reply to Dee11]

Thanks - that’s so helpful! Really appreciate the update.

I am only going to Portugal so 2.5 hours on the plane. I’ll wear my socks just incase.

Have a lovely holiday and take it easy x

[Dee11 in reply to Saraht100]

Thank you, you too! x

[Embakes]

Hey Sarah I had a rare pregnancy and had L surgery and flew exactly 7 nights after to New York! I was advised to take aspirin and move about regularly

Oh and wear your special socks

I was absolutely fine!

Em

[AnnaMae]

Hello, I had a total excision surgery that took about 6 hours and flew from the UK to Nigeria 3 weeks after. I was told to wait 6 weeks but it was very important that I leave in 3 weeks. We stopped at Istanbul and total hours in transit was about 11 hours. I guess you have to put into consideration your weight, age, how long and the extent of the surgery and if you were on the pill before. I was 62 kg and 29 then. Before my flight, I tried to walk around as much as I could. I was also taking blood thinning injections for about 2 weeks. During my flight, I am sure I drank up to 5 litres of water (with lemon slices), so I stood up a lot to use the toilet and used that opportunity to do leg stretches. I also wore my compression socks. It went well when I got home though I had a bit of a scare where I coughed out blood and had nosebleeds at bedtime. I am not sure if this had to do with the long distance flight or the surgery or both. It ended that night and I didn't need to use anything to stop the bleeding as it stopped on it's own. I think you should just take all the precautions that you can and have a wonderful flight.