Flying post THR

Posted , 13 users are following.

Hi! I'm due to have a LTHR on 19th oct but had booked to take kids to Poznan, Poland for a few days over half term on 2nd Nov. Will I be able to fly? I have a hired wheelchair so getting about should be ok. TED stockings, post op anti- coag medication will be taken for 2 weeks post surgery so I'm just windering if anyone has experience of air travel 2 weeks post op?

thanks cheesygrin

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • Posted

    Hiya I'd check with your consultant if your able to fly...also with the airline who may not carry you...your going to be unable to stretch out on the plane xx

  • Posted

    Hi there how long is your flight ? I thought it was

    12 weeks after surgery your at risk of D V T ,

    I no this is what my friends hubby was told

    I wouldn't even risk flying short haul the risks

    not worth what the consequences might be.

    Check with your consultant. Good luck?

  • Posted

    Hi me again it's only a couple of weeks from

    when you have your op isn't it, don't no if you

    realise how sore and uncomfy you are going

    to be at this really early stage also you will

    feel very tired😱all different emotions be careful

    I'm 12weeks post tlhr so no what I'm on about

    Hugs to u 🙋

  • Posted

    Sadly I think it would be way too soon after a TLHR

    to fly even if you weren't at risk from DVT.

    You are bound to be very sore and even with the best physio, not

    Mobile enough for such a journey.,

    Having said that I will probably get shot down in flames from all those super fit post op hipsters.

    I had my op 15 Sept and we have had to cancel

    Our hol from end of Oct to beginning Dec on surgeon advice but knowing how I feel currently I wouldn't want to fly anywhere.

    Good luck with everything.

  • Posted

    hi grainne, 

    warm welcome to the best hippies forum around where you'll find hippies of all ages and in all stages -

    what kind of approach are you having - with posterior you won't be allowed to fly yet - you are just allowed to get the staples removed (should you have them) - the airplane seats, the space in between ... an ordeal already without any hip problems ---eek

    if you have an anterior procedure , restrictions might be less --

    how are you doijng otherwise?

    big warm hug

    renee

     

  • Posted

    I wouldn't imagine it would be a good idea, the fact that you will only be able to sit upright and want be able to keep getting up to stretch your legs to avoid DVT is only half the battle, on top of that your early post op and will need to be really careful with infections, you want be able to transfer easily from wheelchair onto airline seats without risk of dislocation, this is only a few if the possible hip precautions you will be told to abide by.

    Ask your consultant now so you can cancel and hopefully not lose too much money if you have already booked it.

    Either that or cancel op, whichever seems the most important to you.

  • Posted

    I agree with everyone else. My consultant wouldn't even let me fly pre-op, never mind post-op. The risk goes both ways - flying can increase the risk during the surgery. And that risk simply isn't worth it. Your kids will be disappointed I know, but remember the terrible risks of DVT - there are worse disappointments. A friend of mine actually did get DVT from a flight, and he was lucky. He lived. But he will never be able to fly again because of the risk now.

    • Posted

      I don't think I would enjoy the flight or the holiday with the risk at the back of my mind All the time

  • Posted

    You are going to be tired - very tired.  I certainly could not have done it - I have flown to Poland before, but leg room is difficult for me (should have got the surgeon to shorten them wink)

    Has the surgeon OK'd it?

    Getting in/out of a plane seat will be difficult - if you do go make sure you have a slider sheet or plastic shopping bag, that will help.  

    Let the airline know in advance of your problem, try to get a seat without anything in front of it, they probably won't allow you to have a wider emergency exit seat as you would be likely to block the exit in an emergency.

    Hope you have a good time.

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • Posted

      I think it would be bonkers to fly

      Risk of DVT

      tiredness

      Pain

      Immobility

      The list is endless

    • Posted

      Yes, looking at my blog, I was barely up and walking about the supermarket with a trolley to hold on toat 2 weeks.
  • Posted

    Really sorry to say but NO lovie . Even 4 weeks after a THR you wouldn't be able to do that . The risk of dislocation alone 😱😱. The recovery is long .x

  • Posted

    When I had mine was told 12 weeks short haul, 6  months long haul. Mine was posterior. Apart from the fact that at 2 weeks you will still have pain and discomfort. The pressure of the cabin can cause the hip joint to discolate. Your airline would require fitness to fly cert and I doubt you will get one. Check with your surgeon.  
  • Posted

    Awww thanks folks! 

    Maybe im being too ambitious but I've been in pain with a non union fracture for 9 months now so I can't imagine anything being worse. Morphine helps ??.

    flight is 2 hours but it might be a case of my husband taking the kids then! Already all paid for and I've already cancelled 1 trip to Croatia in lieu of having the surgery so what's another one 😖.

    Surgeon didn't seem phased when I told him my plans.

    However, I take on board all advice and decide. Last thing I want to risk is never being able to do it again so short term refrain = long term gain etc.

  • Posted

    Joining the chorus here too - too many negatives/risks.

    I am 2 and 1/2l weeks post right now (and this was my 2nd hip so I knew what to expect). I could not imagine taking this trip - even if everything went well. But throw in any delay or complication and (head shaking in horror) ... worst case scenario - how would your kids handle it if you had an emergency in transit (not to mention inuance coverage for this).

    Sorry - just can't see this being a good idea although I wold lover to go too..

    Best wishes for a super surgery and recovery.

    L

    • Posted

      Sorry for all the typos!

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