Flying

[Phil]

Hello,

I have a quick question - how soon after AVR can one fly in a plane?

A response would be appreciated.

Cheers and happy new year to all

Phil.

 

[Jkm7]

There are people who travel to have their surgeries and their surgeons clear them to fly home when they leave the hospital. Sometimes they ask the patient stay in a hotel/someplace nearby for a few days to be sure nothing develops.

They always recommend patient has a wheelchair to avoid the long walks through some airports and to abide by the 'do not lift' restriction post op. Most surgeons say no lifting of anything more than 10 pounds until sternum is healed if they have had a sternotomy.

 

[kfay]

My experience was just as JKM said. I flew home at 10 days post op I think (although I had my tricuspid valve replaced, not aortic). I used a wheelchair throughout the airport and had to change planes once in Chicago. It worked out just fine.


Kim

 

[Boston Tiger]

My first flight (after MVR) was three months after the operation, when I had been cleared to lift something as heavy as a carry on. I distincltly remember running out of energy to rearrange things up in the overhead bins on my trip to Brazil five months after surgery, because a minute of reaching up shifting the bag absolutely wore me out. The good thing was that I was so tired I was able to take a much better nap on the ling flight back than is normal.

 

[Greg a]

There are people who travel to have their surgeries and their surgeons clear them to fly home when they leave the hospital. Sometimes they ask the patient stay in a hotel/someplace nearby for a few days to be sure nothing develops.

They always recommend patient has a wheelchair to avoid the long walks through some airports and to abide by the 'do not lift' restriction post op. Most surgeons say no lifting of anything more than 10 pounds until sternum is healed if they have had a sternotomy.

Can only add that you should be sure to walk the aisle (depending on duration of flight) to prevent pooling of blood and posible clots OR wear the prssure stockings given to you in hospital

 

[Phil]

Thanks for responding. Cheers.

Phil.

 

[Mentu]

Phil, with respect to your heart, you will be in better shape after surgery than before. My surgeon said there was no problem traveling except for the fact that for the first few weeks activity leaves you exhausted and you will need to rest often. Flying itself should not normally be an issue but managing movement through airports could be a problem. For a while, you have no stamina and no reserves of energy. When you use what you have, you have to stop. Taking a shower, taking a walk, fixing a meal can leave one very tired for the first couple of weeks. The good news is that stamina and energy do return.

Larry

 

[Phil]

Thanks Larry. I remember this from last time. The issue is more to do with not knowing when the surgery will occur (sometime this year) and booking the long flight to London. I think I just have to wait and see if the 'ducks all line up for me'. It's frustrating not knowing.

Thans again.


Phil.

 

[Jkm7]

You are asking about flying home from London to Melbourne days after you leave the hospital?
That's a bit different than a U.S. domestic flight of 2-5 hours.
I cannot imagine you will have the stamina to make such a flight even if you were so blessed to be able to do it in first class.

There truly is no reserve to pull on when you get tired..... you simply must stop and sleep.
The check in three hours prior for international flight, the long security checks, the boarding and waiting to even leave then what........ 16 or so hours of travel? Whew, I could not possibly have done that for at least a month post op and even then I would have been a basket. I just did not have the stamina.
How long from the airport in Melbourne to get to your home?

Sorry to be so blunt but it makes me tremble to think of such a flight.

 

[Phil]

Relax. I'm thinking about flying maybe 3-4 months post surgery. I agree with your points about the flight immediately post surgery - couldn't do it. I'm thinking my valve will need to be replaced mid year and I'm thinking about going to London in September. I'm even unsure if this allows sufficient time given the flight from door- to-door is around 28 grueling hours.

Thanks for your concern.

All the best.


Phil.

 

[Boston Tiger]

Well, I took a 15 hour or so flight (without counting the door to door time) about 4 months after my surgery. The flight itself was no more grueling than normal. I'm never really comfortable in coach seats, and I can't think of any recovery related problems with the travel. The only issue I had was that it was a bit difficult to load my carry-on into the overhead bin, since that sort of lifting was something I had not done while weight limitations applied.

My son gets to make that long trek to Australia next month, as he heads for a semester abroad in Gold Coast.

 

[Phil]

Thanks. I reckon I should be feeling pretty ok 4 months post surgery.

I'm sure your son will enjoy the Gold Coast.

All the best.


Phil.