Blood Clots

[bigrange]

I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any complications with blood clots flying on a plane so soon after surgery. Scheduled for 3/3 and getting nervous reading some of the things. Travel and Tourism site states risk of clots after surgery.

[Lisa73me]

Yes, I had a deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the portal vein to my liver

[Tamera2]

I didn't have any problems but also haven't ever had one. I also did lots of walking and moved legs frequently starting right after surgery. It is recommended to get an isle sit so you can move your legs and get up and walk to the far bathroom and back a couple times and more if your flight is longer. You can talk to your doctor about compression socks and see if you need something else or even extend your time. There are thousands of us that travel for surgery and do great. People who haven't traveled at all who have gotten this or something else. Good Luck with your surgery.

[Luna354]

Ask what their protocol is to avoid them.
I had surgery in NJ but I was given heparin 2x a day after surgery until I was discharged.

[bigrange]

How did you know? How was it handled? Did you fly after your surgery? Did you wear surgical socks? What happened?

[bigrange]

Good suggestion. Thank you.

[Bibi]

My blood pressure was high after the surgery, so I was worried about flying too. I got to the San Diego airport early enough to get a 30 minute foot massage and then put my compression socks on after. $40 to increase circulation in my legs, not to mention how totally relaxing the flight was afterward.

[bigrange]

Great idea.

[bigrange]

Thank you

[Christie13]

When I had a different surgery back in 2008 I was told to wear a compression garment when I flew to Japan a few days later. It was a very long flight. I got up and walked as much as I could as well.

[Shirl]

I cancelled a vacation planned a couple of weeks after surgery for fear of them. I did go to Canada about six weeks post op and wore full body compression suit called Faja Colombiana. Loved it!!!

[missdeedee245]

Did this occur on or because of a flight ? And how was your condition treated ?

[bigrange]

Thank you

[Lorna Doone]

During surgery the doctor's will either put compression socks on you, or wrap your feet with those brown elasticized sling bandages for sprains. When I was taken to my room I was sick but tried to get up and go to bathroom with nurses help. I did. The following day I was still sick but felt more strength so I walked the hospital halls in my robe and nighty dragging along my IV post with all the wires and contraptions attached. There's a way to unhook yourself from the big machines the nurses will show you.
They also usually give you some medical contraption to blow into which raises a ball to expand your lungs. This will get your adrenaline flowing. If worst comes to worst, you can get blood thinners in injection or pill form. Just ask your doctor about it. Sometimes they come in diabetic style syringes and you can give one a day to yourself. You usually start the day after surgery and continue for a few days but the doctor can better advise you.
Some doctors like plastic surgeons will give them to their patients after surgery. Other doctor's don't use them and will encourage other methods.

Usually after a week of surgery the risk of blood clots is low. I flew home after 2 weeks post-op and I asked the doctor about blood clots and he told me 2 weeks post-op not to worry but if I wanted to walk around the plane aisles briefly to stretch my legs that would help.

[bigrange]

What hospital? Sounds like a good procedure. Thanks for sharing.