Flying after GA

[Whattodo1235]

Hi everyone

i had to have a last minute surgery today and could only be done by GA. We are due to fly on holiday today ( 11 hours) however I know that’s not going to be possible.

the surgeon and doctors had no concerns and advised to wear socks and aspirin but also had to make me aware of aviation advice that after GA they advise 4 weeks.

i am due to go to the doctors tomorrow as I have a wound that will need packing 😫and I know it comes down to each airline but I was wondering if anyone had any experience? Would it be worth seeing my gp and if I am deemed fit to fly?

any help and experiences appreciated. My health is obviously my priority but it is a family wedding we are due to go to, and obviously to travel will cost us a lot more…which I am prepared to do if it’s safe for me to travel. The doctor and surgeon were really helpful and just said U have to make ur airline and insurance aware but sort of left it in my hands.

thanks so much

Where are you due to fly to? Does the country have a decent health system in case things go wrong?

Tbh I probably wouldn't risk it - though will depend on what you've had done (wound packing sounds quite painful and serious - with risk of infection/sepsis). I had a friend who recently got ill in Sicily, something fairly innocuous that was not handled well and she nearly lost a limb.

I don't think you can go. It's rubbish, but you've literally just had surgery. Would your travel insurance even cover you? I've just had to watch my family go on holiday without me, so I do understand, but the risks seem pretty high with the wound packing.

What about packing the wound while away?
it will need doing surely?
You don’t want to risk infection/sepsis by not adhering to good wound care.

Hi all

thanks for your messages - I am unfortunate enough that I have had the surgery before but this was a very small incision compared to before and luckily I would be travelling with my sister who is a nurse so can pack the wound correctly and has all of the surgical soloitions I need to pack the wound.

my main concern was general anesthetisc and flying - I am in no pain and it’s a relief now that the abscess has been drained so not uncomfortable ( was worse before it was drained)

rhe doctor who discharged me this morning said that it was ok for me to fly and to ensure the travel provider and insurance knew - it’s w tough one and impeccable timing!!!

Good news about your sister! I suppose technically you've been given medical clearance to fly. Where are you going? Asia?

They have given me antibiotics and codiene for any pain- unfortunately I don’t think my sister anticipated her holiday not really being a break for her! We are going to Greece. The surgeon and doctor both knew about travel plans and were unbelievably helpful, I am really glad that I listened to my body yesterday - just scary when you Google about general anesthic and flying but they assured me that is a precaution for older people who have health issues and thankfully I don’t. Sadly no cocktails this holiday!

I'm sorry but what useful advice do you think a bunch of random people on the Internet can give you that your doctors haven't?

Don't take codeine! It's banned in Greece. A prescription isn't enough, you need a medical statement that says it's absolutely essential and that there are no alternatives available (which I would doubt if being used as a painkiller) and even then it can be difficult to get embassy approval for customs.

I'm sure there'll be stories about people taking it in and not being caught and that's fine, but Greece outlaw it in the same category as class A drugs, although in practice doesn't happen it technically is considered smuggling so it's not a risk I'd want to take.

I had an operation under ga earlier this year and the recommendation was 4 weeks if a long haul flight, it's mostly about dvt risk I took the risk and was ok but it was a short flight! Interestingly I had a wound that needed packing after an appendix wound went wrong, I went off on a camping holiday and packed it my self through out- fortunately I came to no harm

Just for info as far as the UK CAA goes for crew the limit is 48 hours after a GA before operating..,.

Any limitation is usually driven by the type of operation…guidance for passengers here:

https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/before-you-fly/am-i-fit-to-fly/health-information-for-passengers/passenger-health-faqs-am-i-fit-to-fly/

Did you read the part where I asked for any others experience?

have you had surgery a day before you were due to fly and we’re not sure what the right thing to do was?

^ who is that reply for?

You will not be covered by insurance for ANY complications arising from your surgery op, please remember this. Even the smallest claim could be compromised if you haven't declared the current situation to your insurers.

On the other hand, would your insurance pay out if you cancelled the trip? I appreciate that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip but is it really worth the risk (and potential financial cost) oif something goes wrong?

I had key hole surgery a few years ago and could hardly bear the short journey home the Cara’s afterwards with the seatbelt digging into me. And every bump in the road was uncomfortable.

Additonally, have you looked into whether your travel insurance would cover you in Greece if you had any problems eg infected wound. It seems very unlikely that they would. And you’d have to get agreement from them in writing before travelling.

It’s a real shame but I can’t imagine that you could go on the holiday.

You’d be better to cancel, reclaim via travel insurance and book a trip for when you’re recovered.

Me, I imagine, for saying her docs are better placed to advise than a load of random people on the Internet!

Yes it was because I asked if anyone had experience

You also said "any HELP and experiences appreciated." The previous poster was just trying to help.