Question:
Are there restrictions on air travel after open RNY surgery?

I'm not sure if this is an issue or not but we have planned to take a trip to Finland to visit my wife's family. I was thinking of doing it while I was out of work for my surgery. Should I be concerned with traveling so far after surgery and is two - three weeks after surgery too soon to be traveling? The flight is about 8 hours and I'm usually fairly comfortable on a plane. I don't have a problem walking around the cabin if I have to. Thanks for your help! :-)    — Sam C. (posted on August 1, 2000)

August 1, 2000
Should be o.k., I recommend getting your surgeon's opinion. Also,be sure and get up and walk around the cabin frequently to get the blood moving and avoid any possible blood clots. You may not feel like traveling at two weeks post op if you are having open surgery though.
   — Cindy H.

August 1, 2000
I don't want you go into this blind. Three weeks after surgery is early! I have had this surgery twice now (once open and then lap) and both times, it took me about 6 weeks to even start feeling human again not to mention the emotional roller coaster. You may (I did) get very tired, ittitable, etc. right around the 3 week mark. Your body is in starvation mode, your head is telling you to eat but "not to eat" and your body is trying to shed that weight. My first surgery, I flew to Phoneix, AZ and one week after surgery I flew home (about a 3-4 hour flight) it was the worst! I truly suggest that if you go, you take plenty of pain killers (to help you sleep and get past the rough times) and a pillow and try to fly first class. Remember, I am saying this from my experiences. You may be totally different. I know this must be a big trip for you and your family and I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]
   — Renee C.

August 1, 2000
That's pretty early. Although you could have a complication-free surgery, this is the time that some complications occur, such as the narrowing of the stoma. If you are vomiting, your trip may not be very pleasurable. Plus, the food and water will be different there, and could cause you diarrhea. I couldn't travel to the end of the block at this stage with my open RNY. Please consult with your surgeon before making a decision that may be an expensive regret.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 1, 2000
I know it may be disappointing to cancel such a nice trip, but you may want to consider it. In my own experience, this would have been too soon to take such a long trip. The suggestions below were good ones. I had trouble sitting up straight in a chair for several weeks - it was too uncomfortable. I know you can walk around in the plane cabins, but that only goes if there's no turbulence or other type conditions, in which case they don't allow you to walk around. I would also hesitate to be so far away from my surgeon in case of difficulties. Not that you should expect them (mine went flawlessly), but one never knows. If you do go, be sure to take your surgeon's office and emergency phone numbers, pain med prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea, gas, laxatives, etc. Europeans don't have the same store hours we do - they are not open nearly as late, in general, and you don't want to be explaining that you need diarrhea medicine to someone when you needed it yesterday! Someone's comment about there being different food and different water was a very good point. Even when I travel in different parts of the US, I notice a difference. As suggested, take 1-2 different size pillows for the plane. If you cough, it helps the pain when you hold a pillow against your chest. This will also ensure the airplane seat buckle doesn't bind you. It's very important that you give thought to your sleeping arrangements. Most of us find it difficult to lie flat in bed for quite a while, and we use either a recliner, hospital bed or tons of pillows. Be sure you are properly outfitted with wherever option you plan to go with. Tiredness - you'll have this from jet lag any way, but the surgery will add to it, I'm afraid. Be sure you will have relaxation time available regularly. Give thought to what types of activities you'll be doing. Will you be just casually visiting family and friends or will you be doing heavy duty sightseeing. The latter may simply be too much. Exercise in the form of walking is very good immediately after surgery, but there's a limit as to how much you can do. I forgot, ask for a wheelchair through the various airports, and be sure you have a cart or someone to carry your luggage, including small carry-ons. You shouldn't be lifting, pushing or pulling 20 pounds for at least 2 months post op. I'm not trying to rain your your parade, it sounds like a fabulous trip, but I think youa nd those around you will get a lot more enjoyment out of it if you can postpone it a month or 2. And just think, you'll be doing it substantially lighter:) Enjoy!
   — Paula G.

August 1, 2000
I know it may be disappointing to cancel such a nice trip, but you may want to consider it. In my own experience, this would have been too soon to take such a long trip. The suggestions below were good ones. I had trouble sitting up straight in a chair for several weeks - it was too uncomfortable. I know you can walk around in the plane cabins, but that only goes if there's no turbulence or other type conditions, in which case they don't allow you to walk around. I would also hesitate to be so far away from my surgeon in case of difficulties. Not that you should expect them (mine went flawlessly), but one never knows. If you do go, be sure to take your surgeon's office and emergency phone numbers, pain med prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea, gas, laxatives, etc. Europeans don't have the same store hours we do - they are not open nearly as late, in general, and you don't want to be explaining that you need diarrhea medicine to someone when you needed it yesterday! Someone's comment about there being different food and different water was a very good point. Even when I travel in different parts of the US, I notice a difference. As suggested, take 1-2 different size pillows for the plane. If you cough, it helps the pain when you hold a pillow against your chest. This will also ensure the airplane seat buckle doesn't bind you. It's very important that you give thought to your sleeping arrangements. Most of us find it difficult to lie flat in bed for quite a while, and we use either a recliner, hospital bed or tons of pillows. Be sure you are properly outfitted with wherever option you plan to go with. Tiredness - you'll have this from jet lag any way, but the surgery will add to it, I'm afraid. Be sure you will have relaxation time available regularly. Give thought to what types of activities you'll be doing. Will you be just casually visiting family and friends or will you be doing heavy duty sightseeing. The latter may simply be too much. Exercise in the form of walking is very good immediately after surgery, but there's a limit as to how much you can do. I forgot, ask for a wheelchair through the various airports, and be sure you have a cart or someone to carry your luggage, including small carry-ons. You shouldn't be lifting, pushing or pulling 20 pounds for at least 2 months post op. I'm not trying to rain your your parade, it sounds like a fabulous trip, but I think youa nd those around you will get a lot more enjoyment out of it if you can postpone it a month or 2. And just think, you'll be doing it substantially lighter:) Enjoy!
   — Paula G.

February 1, 2001
My surgeon said that as long as you are feeling fine there is no problem with traveling 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. I had Lap/RNY on 1/25/01 and will be traveling to South Africa on 2/24/01. I am letting my travel agent know about my special needs - ride to and from gate, isle seat, soft food diet. I have also requested a small regridgerator and bottled water in my hotel room. I guess I will know better after my trip!
   — T. C.