Can you fly after surgery? What you need to know.

How soon can you fly after surgery? 

For my patients, I recommend that they wait at least a week after surgery to fly if they were under general anaesthetic and their flight is less than four hours. By this point, the side effects of the general anaesthetic will have worn off, they should be comfortable in a sling, and their pain should be at a manageable level. 

Many surgeries are now performed as day cases, where you can go home the same day without needing an overnight stay. These often use keyhole techniques, where small incisions are made using a camera and fine instruments, rather than one large cut, under local anaesthetic (medication that numbs only the area being operated on, so you stay awake). As long as patients are comfortable, they should be safe to fly a couple of days after having keyhole surgery. 

If you’ve had a more invasive surgery, I’d advise waiting longer before flying. For example, if you’ve had abdominal or chest surgery, I’d suggest you wait at least 10 days to two weeks. For more complex orthopaedic surgeries, like hip or knee replacements, it’s usually recommended to wait at least three months before you fly. This longer window allows the joint to bear weight safely, reduces the risk of blood clots forming during long periods of immobility, and gives the surgical wound time to heal fully. 

The length of your flight is also an important factor. It’s generally recommended that you wait at least four weeks to fly if your flight is more than four hours due to the increased risk of blood clots. The risks of flying after surgery vary from patient to patient, so you should always discuss this with your operating surgeon or GP. You can also contact your airline for further advice.

What actions can I take before I fly? 

Generally, flying after surgery is safe if patients are aware of the risks and take steps to manage them. How soon you can fly after surgery depends on the type of surgery you had and your general fitness after surgery. Typically, you’ll be safe to fly a week after surgery if it was a routine procedure under general anaesthetic. 

When flying after surgery, there are a number of things you can do before, during and after your flight to minimise your risk. A simple step to take is to stay well hydrated on the day of and the day after your flight, avoiding alcohol and excess caffeine. 

While you’re on the plane, keep yourself moving by regularly walking up and down the aisle, and by performing small elbow, wrist, hand or ankle movements if recommended by your post-op physiotherapist. You could even try some stretches if there’s space. These all help prevent blood clots from forming, which is especially important if you’ve had lower limb surgery. If you’ve had lower limb surgery, your doctor might also recommend wearing compression socks to help reduce your risk of DVT, particularly on longer flights. 

If recommended by your doctor, taking paracetamol or other painkillers can help alleviate any post-surgical discomfort you might be feeling on your flight. Also remember to take any medications you’ve been prescribed following your surgery and check with your doctor or GP if there are any painkillers you should avoid taking.

What is the risk of DVT? 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg or thigh, but can also form in the arm or pelvis. 

Your risk of DVT varies by the type of procedure you’ve had. Generally, the risk of DVT after shoulder or upper limb surgery is low — less than one per cent — but it’s important that patients are aware of this. 

Lower limb surgery carries a higher risk of DVT, especially if your flight is more than four hours. It’s why it’s recommended that you wait at least four weeks after surgery to fly if your flight is more than four hours. If you’ve had lower limb surgery, your doctor might also recommend that you wear compression socks to reduce your risk of DVT on a long-haul flight.

When should you seek urgent medical help after flying? 

Contact a doctor or go to A&E immediately if, after flying, you notice:

• Swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in one leg
• Sudden breathlessness or chest pain
• Coughing up blood 

These can be signs of DVT or a pulmonary embolism and require an urgent assessment and treatment.

Can you fly with a cast? 

You can fly with a cast, but it depends on how soon after your cast has been fitted your flight is. Some airlines won’t let you fly within 24 hours of having a cast fitted on a short-haul flight, and within 48 hours for a long-haul flight. This varies between airlines, so it’s worth checking before you travel. 

Airlines might also ask that you have your cast split if you’re flying within 48 hours of your cast being fitted, or if you’re on a long-haul flight. This is where your cast is cut down the entire length and secured with adhesive tape. This allows for your cast to swell if needed. Even if your airline doesn’t require your cast to be split, it’s generally a good idea to do this, especially on a long-haul flight. You might also be asked to provide a fit to fly letter to show that your doctor is happy for you to be flying. 

If you have a cast on your leg that prevents you from bending your knee, you might need to pay for an extra seat to rest your leg on. You also won’t be able to sit in an emergency exit row.

Do you need a fit to fly letter after surgery? 

A fit to fly letter is an official letter from your doctor confirming that you’re fit enough to fly. Airlines will request a fit to fly letter if you’ve recently had a surgery or medical treatment, if you’re heavily pregnant (between 28 and 36 weeks), if you have an underlying medical condition affecting your heart, lungs or ears, or if you need medical equipment on your flight. 

If you’ve recently had an operation or treatment at HCA UK, you can contact your consultant or medical secretary to get a signed fit to fly letter. You can also book an appointment with an HCA UK GP to get a fit to fly letter if you need one. 

It's also worth checking your travel insurance policy before you fly. Many insurers require a fit to fly letter if you've had recent surgery, and some policies won't cover claims related to your procedure without one. Check the terms of your policy, or contact your insurer directly, before you travel.

^{This article provides general guidance only. Your specific timings will vary depending on your individual surgery and recovery — always check with your own surgeon or GP before booking travel.}