Breast Implant Surgery*

Introduction

Mild incapacitation is to be expected soon after a cosmetic procedure and most patients take about a week to recover most of their physical faculties. However, there can be circumstances that may compel the patient to travel long distances. As such, many patients want to know the minimum recovery time needed for them to be able to travel safely. If you want to go on a trip immediately after the surgery, or if you have to travel a long way home soon after the procedure, it would be prudent to consult your plastic surgeon prior to scheduling your operation. Your surgeon may impose several travel limitations, especially after breast implant surgery.

Routine travel-related activities make the patient particularly vulnerable to potential surgical complications. For example, walking rapidly, running or carrying heavy bags soon after breast implant surgery can trigger post-surgical bleeding. Furthermore, lengthy flights involve having to sit for hours on end which may increase your risk of developing blood clots. Moreover, there are very limited medical resources available on a plane, which means that if any complication occurs, you will get very limited medical care.

You have to consider a host of factors when you decide to travel after breast implant surgery. Your safety comes first, so you must precisely follow the instructions and recommendations of your plastic surgeon.

How long should you wait to fly after breast implant surgery?

You would be required to allow your breasts to heal for at least one week before travelling; however, we encourage patients to begin travelling two weeks after getting breast implants. It is important to understand that the first two weeks after a breast implant surgery are crucial. During this time, your cells will use these two weeks of inactivity to heal more efficiently and you will have to go to your doctor for a follow-up consultation every once in a while. Your surgeon will monitor your health status and the rate of your recovery before allowing you to travel. You may take short trips after the first week of your recovery, but long trips are not advisable because they can interfere with the healing process and trigger health complications.

Things to be careful about when travelling after breast implant surgery

Since you are ready to travel after two weeks following the date of the procedure, you have to be careful about certain things while going to the airport and during the flight. The first thing you should avoid is lifting luggage above 5-10 lbs. It is not a good idea to lift heavy bags because doing so can exert pressure on the surgical wound and eventually cause it to bleed. You should make separate arrangements for your luggage during a flight.

In addition, you should refrain from placing heavy bags in the overhead compartments. Upon arrival, you should also look out for falling luggage that may have been dislodged during the trip. If a falling suitcase comes into contact with your new breasts, it could deal severe damage to them and accidentally open the incisions.

Avoid bumping into anyone at the airport or during the flight as this may seriously harm your breasts. Bear in mind that other people are not aware that you have recently undergone breast surgery, so it is your sole responsibility to keep yourself safe from injury.

It is also not a good idea to travel for more than 5 hours even though two weeks have already passed since your breast implant surgery. For extensive travels, you must wait about three weeks. The swelling has yet to subside, and you are still susceptible to infection and the formation of blood clots. The farther your destination, the more effort will be required of you for the duration of your trip which can leave you exhausted and your breasts even more inflamed.

Also, once you arrive at your destination, do not rush for your luggage or to catch a taxi. Do every activity cautiously and with care. Exposing your breasts to the sun during your travel is also not a good idea because your breasts have not fully healed, which makes it risky to subject them to heat and sunlight. Doing so will result in increased inflammation and discomfort.

When it comes to security scanners, you can pass through those walk-through metal detectors and full-body scanners without a problem because your breast implants will not trigger any security alarm. Moreover, the pressure inside the cabin of an aeroplane is not a cause for concern if you are travelling two weeks after your breast implant surgery. During long travels, the risk of dehydration is much higher for plastic surgery patients; therefore, you should make sure to drink a lot of fluids during the trip.

Conclusion

Travelling after the breast implant surgery should not be done without the approval of your plastic surgeon. If you are returning to a different state or a different country after your surgery, make sure to bring this information to the knowledge of the plastic surgeon. It is safe to travel short distances a week after your breast implant surgery, but only if your health and healing rate is stable.

However, most plastic surgeons encourage their patients to wait for at least two weeks before travelling. A good rule of thumb is that if you are able to walk around without pain relief medications and assistance, you may go on a short trip; however, long travel can be damaging to your health if you travel before completing the recommended two-week recovery period. Remember that your breasts need at least 10-14 days to heal to a reasonable extent.

When you finally travel two weeks post-surgery, make sure to avoid lifting heavy luggage and be careful of any person who might crash into you. You should also drink enough liquids to keep yourself hydrated and to prevent blood clotting during the flight. At the airport, do not walk quickly or run because doing so will exert force on your breasts and trigger bleeding.