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When Is It Safe to Fly After a Medical Operation?
For minor procedures, it is generally safe to fly 24 hours after general anaesthesia (GA).
However, if your surgery was major or complicated, you must wait longer. The waiting time depends on the type of operation you had.
General Waiting Times by Surgery Type
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- Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery: Wait 1 to 2 days.
- Simple abdominal surgery: Wait 4 to 5 days.
- Chest, heart bypass, or major abdominal surgery: Wait 10 to 14 days.
- Eye surgery: Wait 1 day for simple laser eye or cataract surgery, and up to 1-6 weeks for complicated retinal procedures.
- Hip or knee replacement: Wait at least 3 months for long-haul flights.
Why You Need to Wait
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- Trapped gas: Cabin pressure at high altitudes makes any trapped air in your body expand by about a third of its volume. This can cause severe pain or damage to stitches if you are recovering from a stomach or eye procedure.
- Blood clots (Pulmonary Embolus (PE) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)): Sitting still for a long time on a plane slows down your blood. Recent surgery or anaesthesia makes your blood more likely to clot.
Before You Fly
- Ask your surgeon: Always get written clearance from the doctor who performed the surgery before booking your ticket.
- Check the rules: Every airline has different rules. Some carriers enforce a strict waiting period (e.g. Jet2), regardless of what your doctor says. Always check with your airline before flying.
- Inform your insurer: Make sure your travel insurance knows about your surgery, as they may require you to pay extra or may deny a claim if you travel too soon.
