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How long before I can fly long haul?

Posted , 9 users are following.

jenniferLouise
jenniferLouise

Im due for THR late Sept/earlly Oct.  I should like  to go away somewhere warm for Christmas.  Does anyone know the recommended time before you can do a long flight please?

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • MarthaUK
    MarthaUK jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi

    I had my op mid january and I fly to NZ mid July.

    To be honest I think I'll only just be ready for a 24+ hour flight! The thought of sitting in the cramped conditions does not fill my heart with joy!!

    BUT it depends on how well you recover. I'm taking a long time because my hip was sooo bad before it was done that my muscles had gone to waste and they're slow to build up again. i'M 65 BTW.

    I would suggest you don't book anything until after the op, and quite a while after the op as well. many people on here have done really well for about 6/8 weeks then hit a wall. Your recovery is more important than a holiday.

    Good luck

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise MarthaUK

      Posted

      Thanks Martha, I appreciate your answer.  I have my eye on a cruise around Hawaii, flying from Heathrow to Los Angeles.  If we go we would upgrade on the flight so as to ensure we had good leg room.  I think maybe this is too close to my op.  Hey ho, there will be other years!
    • dot60135
      dot60135 MarthaUK

      Posted

      I had booked to go to Singapore for the GP, (economy class) had op Feb 15 and told 12 months so yet again different consultants, different advice, how cofusing for us patients!!! ;-(
  • Paula8080
    Paula8080 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    My surgeon told me 3 months post op for long haul.

    Good luck

    Paula

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise Paula8080

      Posted

      Thank youPaula, maybe  the op will be too near Christmas for me to attempt to fly to Los Angeles even if we upgraded on the flight.  I've just Googled this question and one surgeon said 6/8 weeks before flying long haul.  You seem to get different advice about all sorts of queries regarding THR.  I will just have to believe in fate, if we are meant to go we will go, if not there is always next year.  
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy jenniferLouise

    Posted

    12 weeks or you wont get insurance and you MUST tell your travel insurer and wear flight socks!! Dont rush it as DVT is always a possibility ....
    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise crissy_wissy

      Posted

      Thank you, insurance is something I hadn't considered.  Hawaii will just have to wait for another year I guess.
  • helen248
    helen248 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    i seem to remember reading that it was 4 months. You probably need to ask your surgeon that when you go in. 
    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise helen248

      Posted

      Thanks Helen, the advice seems to vary from Hippy to Hippy as you may see.  I think I will just have to wait until I see my surgeon and if he says I may go then fine, if not I will just have to accept his decision and live with it.  Trouble is we have already cancelled a special Ruby anniversary holiday for October and I would like something nice to look forward to after my op. A new hip is not really my idea of a special anniversary pressie! I was thinking something small, red, sparkling set in gold!  My husband on the other hand looks relieved.
    • sue72746
      sue72746 jenniferLouise

      Posted

      3 months for long haul but also check with airline.

      I'm 9 days post op and am going to Florida in October. Surgeon has confirmed it's fine

  • jason42777
    jason42777 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Royal college of surgeons , recovery tracker sugests 12weeks for long haul flights. But every one is different so ask your consultant. Good luck, Jay.

  • mic71403
    mic71403 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer

    Golly gosh, so much conflicting info!

    I was told 6 weeks post op check, and if that went ~ OK anytime after that....taking normal airline DVT precautions.

    someone wrote to check with your insurance company, probably best.

    tho taking the advice here I DID check re my driving after 6 weeks and one day, with my car insurance co, and they couldn;t have been less interested....

    Sooo, listen to your heart and bod!1

    Mic

    x

  • renee01952
    renee01952 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hi jennifer louise --- I have been in the travel industry for over 40 years ( seen lot of changes >>) and just returned from Los Angeles to Holland after 34 years ... one thing I want to tell you is that around Christmans time, (from November-December-January) it rains quite a lot in Hawaii - more than any other time of the year - days are short too (less daylight, less sun and possible lot of rain) - I hope I didn't upset you ... warm aloha 
    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise renee01952

      Posted

      Thank you sooooo much for your reply Renee.  I had almost made up my mind not to book this trip and your reply has confirmed that this would not be the trip for us this year.  My surgeon is very 'old school' and I can't see him advising me to take such a long flight, upgrade or no.  We are planning a tour of the U.S. National Parks in 2016 and I will just have to focus on getting back to full health and fitness for that.  Are you pre or post op and how are you doing?  Jx
  • mic71403
    mic71403 jenniferLouise

    Posted

    Hello jennife louise,

    glad you've come to a good decision.

    isn't this an awesomeforum: fancy finding someone who has actually gone to Hawaii and can advise!

    your surgeon you said is very old school ,and mine is 'anything (within reason) goe's!

    but you've listened and made the best decision for you, and hopefully this forum has helped!

    Mic

    x

    • jenniferLouise
      jenniferLouise mic71403

      Posted

      Thanks Mic, I will just have to be patient and see this through, all the ups and downs.  Worse things are happening to friends at the moment, some people we know have no future to look forward to as they are suffering terminal illness.  I think it is time to count my blessings..... But Hawaii for Christmas sounded wonderful.  Where do you live?  I am in Norfolk UK.
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