Would you fly or cancel?

[HerniaTodayGoneTomorrow]

Found out earlier today that my painful recurrent pulled abdominal muscle is actually a small hernia. Not a worry in itself but we are due on a 9 hour flight to the US on Monday to see family for the holidays, and apparently if it gets strangulated mid-ocean it can be fatal (emergency surgery is needed within 3-4 hours).

The chances are obviously minimal and I'd have to be bloody unlucky, but it's painful and 'catching' occasionally - do I up my travel insurance and go, or cancel? It's been a long shitty year and the whole family are so looking forward to it....

Happy Friday 13th to me ...

You may not get travel insurance!

What if it goes whilst you're in the US. Does your medical insurance cover a pre-existing condition like this?

You might not be able to up your travel insurance now that you know about the condition. Check that first, if you can't do it, it might answer your query.

I doubt you will be able to up your insurance as it is now a preexisting condition and they may not cover u. No way I would got to the states without insurance.

I've had 2 hernias for 11 years now and have flown abroad 15 times.

I'm hoping that as I didn't have the hernia when I got the travel insurance that it isn't pre-existing? Need to dig out details when I get home and call them, you're all right.

@brightonroc Did you get travel insurance ok?

I don't think it works like that OP. If something happened in the states they would check your medical insurance and if they find that you knew you had an undeclared pre-existing condition before you entered the county, you could find yourself uninsured with a huge medical bill.

No I don't tell insurance. Seriously - the chance of it getting strangulated is near enough zero. Unless a scan has told you otherwise.

I'm sure someone will be along to tell me I'm very careless and stupid but I'm not going to let a bit of baggy bowel stop me travelling!

If I'd been told I needed an op I might think differently but the vast majority of people with hernias never experience a strangulation, let alone in the one week a year they go on holiday.

Life's for living - too much else to worry about!

If you are not travelling against medical advice and you already havr cover you should be fine, but read your policy carefully.

I was diagnosed with a hernia six months ago, and wasn’t told not to fly, so I have, without any problems, including one flight of nearly 12 hours.

That said, I’m seeing the consultant in a few weeks, so I’ll ask them about flying in the future.

It depends hugely on what kind of hernia it is. Some types are far more likely to strangulate than others.
@HerniaTodayGoneTomorrow have you been referred for surgery and did your doctor specifically advise you not to travel?
If neither of those is the case, you should be able to get insurance through one of the companies that covers pre existing conditions. It is unlikely that you would get cover on a standard holiday insurance policy though as most don't cover pre existing conditions.
I have some significant health conditions and have not had any problems getting cover but obviously it is more expensive. I think it is worth it though, especially travelling to the USA. I know it is unlikely, but you can get very sick indeed from a strangulated hernia and a prolonged hospital stay in the US would be spectacularly expensive. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my holiday with that worty hanging over me to ne frank. Paying for comprehensive insurance is worth it for peace of mind in my opinion.
The cover I have excludes conditions that you are awaiting surgery for, but it might be possible to upgrade. Ive never needed to ask. I use goodtogo insurance but I am sure lots of other compa are similar.

You will be covered for cancellation. It’s unlikely to strangulate, however if it does you will not be covered on your insurance, unless you declare it and have it covered, because it pre-dates your trip.

DH had an incisional hernia when we flew to the USA a few years ago, but we had a letter from his consultant saying he was fit to travel and the insurance company covered him for another £70.

I should say he wasn’t actually listed for surgery at that point - it was watch and wait.

Thanks everyone - got a second opinion this morning and GP says it's just a nasty muscle tear but nothings coming through, so it isn't classed as a hernia and I don't need to tell travel insurance.

All a bit confusing but my new plan is that I'm going and I'm not going to worry about it.

I am however banned from sit-ups for a few weeks which is a great Christmas bonus!

Result! Have a fabulous holiday.