How Long Should I Wait To Fly Home After The Sleeve?

[brennalynn84 3]

I'm flying about 2 hrs out of state to have the sleeve and I do not think I can bare being away from my kids for 6 days. They have me flying in on wed morning, surgery Thursday and then post op not until Monday. I am thinking of flying home on Saturday and doing post op with my pcp. Anyone suggestions, opinions, experiences with flying home less than 48hrs after.

[loveelaura 52]

I would love to hear the answers on this as well. I'm going to be in a similar situation but sub your kids for my dog. I'd rather recuperate at home with my pup then in a hotel room

[brennalynn84 3]

Toughing it out the plane to home sounds so much better to me than a hotel room by myself too

[loveelaura 52]

Where are you flying to for surgery?

I've been reading a lot of people's posts after surgery. It seems like day 3 after surgery is when they start feeling a little better

[brennalynn84 3]

I am flying from Washington to Las Vegas. It's about a 2.5hr flight and then about an hr drive home from the airport. They want me to stay in town for 4 days after surgery, but I really don't think I will make it that long. I paid extra to have my flight home adjustable so I think ill just play it by ear after surgery and hope to come home with in a couple days. How far is your flight?

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Although a few days should be fine.. One NEVER knows how recovery will turn out. I could have flown home the day after, but I stuck around for the leak test and .. Vacationed a bit like a tourist in the long lost sun. Some on the forum couldn't even pull up their own panties without assistance. Everyone is different.

[brennalynn84 3]

Thank you. It makes me feel better to know there is hope that I might be able to fly home sooner than the 4 days they are saying.

[HotMessPrincess 39]

Guys, I work for an airline and I really hope you talk to your surgeons about this. The body expands during flight. It's potentially dangerous for you to fly early. Please be careful and check with your doctors.

[gamergirl 4,609]

I asked my surgeon this and he said his patients routinely fly home 2 days after surgery. Die to the increased risk of clotting after surgery, he said if it's over 2 hours, you should get up and walk around, but that it's perfectly safe.

[loveelaura 52]

I'm near Chicago so will be going to Oklahoma City and back. 2 hour flight. My doc said pre-op Monday, surgery Tuesday, in hospital for up to 2 nights, and then he will "release" me to fly over the phone barring no complications on Sunday. They do a leak test during surgery so as long as I'm feeling good, a physical exam is not necessary. If I need one, I would go on Monday

If you read on some of the Mexico forums, some of the people fly a couple days after surgery. Have you peeked in those yet?

[SuperKen 229]

My surgeon prohibited flying for 30 days due to the high risk of blood clots post surgery. I know surgeons have different rules, but please please folks get opinions from multiple professional sources in the medical field before flying after any surgery.

[loveelaura 52]

Oh I forgot to mention, my doctor will have me on blood thinners day of travel and walking every hour!

[slowtogo 301]

I was told no travel for two weeks due to the risk of blood clots. Then up and walking every hour. This was not up for debate by the surgeon.

[HotMessPrincess 39]

Same with me, Slowtogo...since I can fly anywhere, really, I asked my surgeon how long I have to wait to fly. I'm planning a trip to see my family after surgery and wanted to make sure I waited the appropriate amount of time...was told two weeks.

[brennalynn84 3]

I'm going to have to talk to the surgeons office some more. They never told me flying was an issue when I said I wanted to fly home the next day. They are more conserved that if something else arises like my appendix bursts from the shock of surgery that no doctor in my home state will help me because I had weightloss surgery. The anxiety of being away from kids that long is killing me. I am terrified to be away from them. I am not sure why I cannot get over it and just suck it up. The surgery it's self does not have me worried just being gone and then having to fly home alone which I've never done either.