Did Anyone Have Their Surgries In Foreign Countries?

pandaluck · 06-26-2009, 07:54 PM

If so, how long did you wait after the procedure to fly back home? My doctor advised me not to fly for a good 4 weeks because apparently flying so soon afterwards can sometimes cause infections, and he said he has no explanation as to why.

Anyone else heard of this?

ellen · 06-29-2009, 05:36 AM

Yes I had mine in France but the flight home is only 2 hours so my surgeon did not see it as a problem. I stay in france for 10-11 days post op to check healing and if there had been a problem presumably he would not have allowed me to return at that point.
Ellen

shayb · 07-13-2009, 09:42 AM

My husband and I had LAP-BAND® surgery on May 28, 2009 in Mexicalli, Mexico and then flew home to Florida on May 30, 2009. It was a little over a 4 hour flight, then a change of plans with an hour layover and then another 2 hour flight to get home. The long flight did suck, but that would be my opinion even if I flew that long with no surgery. I hate flying over 2 hours. But, the worse part was that we were delayed at the airport on our way home for a couple of hours, but the main problem was that there was nothing you could eat at the airport with being on clear liquids. Luckily I had somewhat prepared and brought those Cup o' noodles. I would highly recommend bringing some items like these for your clear liquid diet that will be allowed through security because unless you get lucky and someplace just happens to have chicken noodle soup that day, you will need it. But, all in all there was no problems with flying for us even after only 2 days. Now, when we go back for Plasitc Surgery, we will try to stay a little longer, but that is because that is a more serious surgery and also we now no what it is like to go to Mexico and don't have that fear of the unknown and would enjoy staying a little while after just to spend some time there.

Hope this helps!

lapbandtalker · 07-17-2009, 04:14 AM

Never heard of that...but may be.

I flew from SAN to SLC w/o problem a few days after my procedure.

ClaudiaJ · 08-06-2009, 12:36 PM

I think it really depends on the surgeon. Why not ask for a second opinion?

oneflew · 08-11-2009, 08:37 AM

Hi had the LAP-BAND® in TJ Mx in 06 and travelled to the Dominican Republic for my tummytuck/breast lift in April 09. I stayed for a week then flew home. Connecting flights and coming back through customs was not fun and I was by myself. I didn't have any problems and have had none from the surgery, but I don't know that I would recommend the travel unless you have someone that could help you. Good luck!
Sam

elcee · 08-11-2009, 08:56 AM

I would have thought the concern was clots rather than infection.

Although being on a plane you are likely to pick up any kind of respiratory infections that are going around due to the confined space and recycled air and you wouldn't really want to get one of those after surgery.