Flying after surgery

Author (Abhinandangarg). Submitted on Tue, 19 Oct 2010

Total views: 11 :: Word Count: 759 :: 0 comments

Every surgery, no matter minor or major has a specific recovery time. You are asked to take certain precautions during this period. This healing period largely determines the success of the surgery. One of the most common instructions-operative patients are given is to avoid air travel. The period for which you should avoid flying after surgery depends on the type of surgery. You can go from 24 hours for minor surgery to 3 months in case of major invasive surgery. Let us understand in detail what the risks involved in the flight after surgery.



The risks of flying after surgery

You should be aware that the air gets thin at high altitudes. Most commercial airlines are under pressure with an oxygen content, which is equivalent to the oxygen content to 1500 - 2000 meters. This is still less than 3.5% of normal oxygen saturation in the air. As a result of people who have a compromised respiratory system is likely to face such problems at high altitude. This is more common if you have been sedated for more than 30 minutes under anesthesia during the operation. People who have had heart, lung operations are at greatest risk because they have a weak respiratory system functioning.

Another problem with air travel is leading to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is mainly due to the immobility that air transport is inflicted on the passengers. In the absence of normal circulation, blood tends to pool in the legs and begins to stagnate. This leads to the formation of clots in the legs that travel with the rest of the body. You can get into the lungs and make breathing difficult. Pulmonary embolism is a complication that arises if the clot blocks the artery. Needless to say, this can be extremely serious for the patient. However, DVT during air travel is more of a problem before the surgery after him. Recently, however, those operations are more prone to deep vein thrombosis and surgery often restricts their movements, in addition to immobility offering air travel.

When to fly after surgery

As mentioned above, your fitness with respect to air travel is determined by the type of surgery you had. For example, if you have had minimally invasive surgery (surgery in which instruments are inserted only through a small opening in the body), you can fly in a couple of days after surgery. If less invasive surgeries simple abdomen, the patient receives a green signal to fly within 4 to 5 days. People who had more chest or abdominal surgery should wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before boarding an aircraft. However, some airlines may allow air travel within 10 days if the flight is inevitable. In case of eye operations, you can fly within a day after a simple cataract or corneal surgery, laser eye. Major surgery eye may prevent you from taking a flight of at least 7 days. The longest wait for a flight after surgery is surgery for joint replacement surgery and lung resection, in which part of a lung removed.

However, the time to wait before flying is also determined by their individual health and fitness. In general, it is said that if you can walk 50 meters from ground level or climb a flight of 12 stairs at a go, you are able to fly. In any case, a green signal from your surgeon is a must before planning your trip by plane.

Precautions for flying after surgery

It is strongly recommended that you discuss your travel plans with your doctor. He may be able to tell if you are able to fly or not. You can also suggest certain special medicines, along with tips for air travel and the precautions to be taken. It is also advisable to inform the airline about their particular medical condition, so be ready with medicines and other equipment. Always get travel insurance in advance to cover expenses if something happens to you during the trip.

You should avoid flying after surgery as far as possible. Flying before you are ready for it may jeopardize your chances for a healthy recovery. In the worst cases, you may have to suffer some unpleasant complications that can occur during air travel.

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