Worried about blood clots and travel

[Jen40 12]

I just read on the CDC website that you should not travel by airplane for at least 10 days after abdominal surgery, or the risk of blood clots are worse. This is my biggest fear! I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Aceves in March, but I am terrified about the risk of blood clots and pulmonary embolism. Did anyone else have this fear going to MX for surgery?

[Webchickadee 716]

I was concerned about this myself. I traveled to San Diego 2 days prior to my surgery date so that I could spend those 2 days walking around and making sure I didn't have any clots collected in my legs, etc.

I was given injected anticoagulents post-op in the hospital on the day of surgery and the next day. I did a ton of walking the next 4-5 days post-op as well (increasing each day as my stamina tolerated). Of course the walking also helped a lot with getting rid of gas!

I had no problems whatsoever with clotting. I arrived in San Diego on a Saturday (surgery in Tijuana), had my surgery on the Monday and left to return to Canada on the following Saturday (7 day stay overall).

I was careful to walk as much as possible at the airport prior to the flight (lots of wait time with security, preboarding, etc!) and also got up on the plane to walk the isles at least 1x per hour (nearly a 5 hr flight for me).

[Susysleever 265]

Hmm. I'm preop and planning on using A Lighter Me. I read on the boards that their transportation guide takes all the postops on a shopping walk. Perhaps its a way to avoid clots. Well played ALM.

[gohelpyourself 377]

Ask if they will give you heparin shots post op. Make sure they do (I am sure they do... it is kind of standard). If you are prone to clots they may even suggest you do lovenox shots after you are discharged. The plane ride is a short one, right? I don't think you will have any problems. Get up a few times and walk around during your trip back.

[sarsar 824]

I also had surgery with Dr. Aceves almost 3 years ago. I didn't have any problems with clots. You will get a shot before your surgery to help with the blood clots. After surgery I walked and walked and walked some more.

One thing that was suggested to me before I went to Mexico was to call the airline and have them reserve a wheelchair for me on the flight home. Then I was able to get on the plane first and I took the first seat where I had extra leg room. I made sure to move my legs around a lot. My plane ride was over 4 hours.

Edited February 13, 2014 by sarsar

[gohelpyourself 377]

I also had surgery with Dr. Aceves almost 3 years ago. I didn't have any problems with clots. You will get a shot before your surgery to help with the blood clots. After surgery I walked and walked and walked some more.

One thing that was suggested to me before I went to Mexico was to call the airline and have them reserve a wheel chair for me on the flight home. That was I was able to get on the plane first and I took the first seat where I had extra leg room. I made sure to move my legs around a lot. My plane ride was over 4 hours.

Wheelchair is a great suggestion!

[Thick2fit 1]

Hi, I am scheduled for surgery with dr. Aceves on March 5, I am worried about travel too. But oddly, my biggest concern is if I need to buy an extra seat on the airplane because I've never flown before and I feel like I might not fit!

[Webchickadee 716]

Hi, I am scheduled for surgery with dr. Aceves on March 5, I am worried about travel too. But oddly, my biggest concern is if I need to buy an extra seat on the airplane because I've never flown before and I feel like I might not fit!

It depends on your size....for example, I am 5'4" and I was 320 lbs (minus pre-op diet loss of about 12 lbs) when I flew to San Diego. I could have fit in a regular coach seat, but it would have been VERY tight (and a long nearly 5 hr flight). Plus I would have absolutely needed a seat-belt extender.

I chose to upgrade to the equivalent of business class, which has wider seats, longer seat belts and more leg room. Even with short legs, the extra space in front is very helpful when bending down, etc.

It cost less to upgrade my seat (and I got much better service....) than it would have cost to buy an extra coach seat.

A possibility to consider.

FYI, we went for a vacation (back to Mexico) 8 months later (and 110 lbs lighter) and I fit comfortably in the coach seat (with LOTS of seat belt length unused).

Edited February 14, 2014 by Webchickadee

[Thick2fit 1]

That's great advice! I am going to call today to change my reservation. I can't wait to not have to ever worry about these things! Congrats on your success!

[booniedog 7]

Oh my gosh, I'm worried about this too! I'm traveling from 7,000 miles away - it's a 23 hour trip! I'm staying in San Diego an extra four days after the surgery to make sure I'm ok. Dr. Acevez' office said I'd be ok to travel 4 days after surgery. (So did two other doctors I consulted.) I bought some compression socks and am going to triple check with the doc before returning home. YIKES!

I think I'm having my surgery with Dr. Aceves March 20. When is yours? Good luck!

[gastricsleever 259]

Oh my gosh, I'm worried about this too! I'm traveling from 7,000 miles away - it's a 23 hour trip! I'm staying in San Diego an extra four days after the surgery to make sure I'm ok. Dr. Acevez' office said I'd be ok to travel 4 days after surgery. (So did two other doctors I consulted.) I bought some compression socks and am going to triple check with the doc before returning home. YIKES! I think I'm having my surgery with Dr. Aceves March 20. When is yours? Good luck!

I was given compression stockings to wear during surgery (had surgery with dr Ariel Ortiz) and they said if u have a long flight home, bring the compression stockings and wear them on the flight back. So that's what I'm going to do on Wednesday.