Travelling by air days after surgery (to get home)

Hi Badplumbing,
I have had numerous pouch surgeries in Canada and have taken the plane home 4-6 weeks post op (my flights are 8hrs long with all of the waiting before and after at the airports etc)...and I have never had problems (except having been forgotten in my wheelchair, by airport staff, in a corner while they went off to do something or another...I missed my flight)...you need to be able to gage your body and its reactions to things...but many pouchers have either driven or flown home post op without incident.
If you are really concerned then you make look into a hostel or motel for a few days post op recovery time.
Good luck
Sharon

Just bear in mind that some surgeries have complications. Mind did which resulted in a huge increase in my clotting factor for months, so obviously I couldn't have flown.

quote:

Just bear in mind that some surgeries have complications.

That is the problem or issue. If you end up with a blockage on a long flight, you could be dead meat. There are no NG tubes on commercial flights. Anything else as far as complications that requires immediate ER treatment is a concern. A 2 hour flight should not present such an issue.

Totally unrelated to IBD and surgery, I know 2 people who experienced thrombophlebitis (blood clotting which is potentially fatal), both on long overseas flights to the USA. Most of the airlines were not at that time trained to warn passengers not to drink alcohol and to exercise the extremities during flight. One of these individuals drank a bottle of red wine and fell asleep with leg against bulwark. Ended up with severe pain and rushed to hospital when he disembarked in NYC, where he got blood thinners that saved his life. If the clot breaks off and makes its way to your lungs/heart, you can experience a fatal pulmonary embolism and this is documented to have occurred as a result of flying long distances. Thrombophlebitis is a well known risk of the longer international/overseas flights. To cut down the risk, you should avoid alcohol (which dehydrates your blood and makes you prone to clotting in an already pressurized dry cabin), and vigorously exercise the extremities during long flights.

I think you will be fine; I did a 2 hour car drive home and managed. To reduce possible anxiety, don't eat until you arrive at your destination.

Sue

I was lucky that my surgeon was local and only 20 minutes from my house to the hospital. It is a rough surgery so just make sure you make yourself as comfortable as possible and take your pain meds and I hope you have someone traveling with you to help you with your needs. good luck!

If you have complications you won't be getting on a plane - you'd probably be in the hospital. Just in case you don't know this, ask for a wheel chair when you make your reservations or when you get to the airport. That will expedite your processing through check-in lines. You will also be able to get on the plane first and settle in.

You don't need to do 'vigorous' leg exercises on the plane. There are very simple methods for keeping your blood moving. And I'm sure you won't want alcohol right after having had surgery. You can also purchase compression stockings which will add another layer of prevention. I've had 3 bouts of pulmonary emboli in both lungs - not from flying - from something mysterious that they can't figure out. If this is a major concern, talk with your doctor and s/he may prescribe blood thinners. Aspirin can be used but it may not be strong enough and it may contraindicated because it is an NSAID which has been found to cause or promote pouchitis. But maybe the NSAID use isn't a problem for a 1-time use on the plane. But, of course, ask your doctor.

A two hour flight is fairly short and it shouldn't be a problem at all. If something occurs while you're in the air and it's a dire situation, I'm sure the plane would land and get you medical assistance. But even a blockage shouldn't be a concern because most blockages resolve and if they don't right away, a two hour flight with a blockage would not be life-threatening.

I'm glad you've finally made the appointment and you're getting the surgery. Hopefully you'll experience no road bumps and you'll be out living a full life very soon after your surgery. Even with an ostomy, there will be nothing you can't do. Weight lifting. Martial arts. Biking. Diving. Climbing. There are products for protecting your ostomy while in water or engaging in physical sports.

kathy

All I can say is dont eat air port food befor you fly. For me it caused a minor blockage that took 4 days to pass. this was 5 days after take down.

Thanks, folks. Airport will be about a 75 minute drive before the flight too but will probably fork over for a good car service for that portion. Wife will be with me.

Where are you having your surgery done?

kathy