Mrs Kiwi

Here I was feeling really pleased that my hubbie has got a date for his knee athroscopy operation before we leave for Oz, but now someone has just scared me by suggesting that my OH might not be able to fly due to the risk of DVT after an operation.

Help! Has anyone flown to Oz or other long haul destination 3 weeks after an op?

My hubbie is having keyhole knee athroscopy on 11th March, which is 3 weeks before we fly to Oz on 2nd April. The op is to repair a damaged cruiate ligament (sorry about the spelling) from a football injury.

It is keyhole day surgery and he is a fit 38 year old. He has been told he should be able to put weight on it immediately, although he will need to rest it as much as possible.

The flights are non refundable and non changeable (I know, I'm stoopid) so we really need him to fly on 2nd April.

Advice please.

Grayling

It is a risk.....one that the airline and your insurance company may not be prepared to take.

Best talk to them and his Consultant.

Usually they will accept a medical opinion but you also need to decide if it is, personally, worth the risk.

G

lonndongeek

We flew London-Adelaide straight through in 2007 about 3-4 weeks after SWMBO had an operation under general anaesthetic with no problems. Neither the surgeon or anaesthetist thought it'd be a problem and SWMBO is still being obeyed.

Cheers

Steve

Mrs Kiwi

Thanks guys.

Steve - what is SWMBO?!!!! Sorry, I'm a bit slow!

Grayling

She who must be obeyed

check with his consultant.....better to be safe than sorry.

G

PoppetUK

I'm interested in this one. I am hoping to fly back to the UK after having a c-section. 7 weeks post surgery. I did mention this to the ob and he didn't say anything. I think I had better push for more information. I know they say keep moving but I can't imagine that I will get to sit down for long with a 4 year old, 3 year old and a new born on the flight!!!

All I can think of at the moment is spanners and works.

Ozzidoc

OP - hubby is possibly at a slightly increased risk of DVT...minor operation. I'd bet my life that your consultant will say you have almost the same risk as the general male public.

Post c-section lady is at a much higher risk of DVT...major (abdominal) surgery = increased risk of DVT. However, I suspect that this risk is lower than when you are/were pregnant.

PoppetUK

Thanks for your reply Ozzidoc. Do you know if there is anything one can do pre-surgery / c-section to speed up recovery, specifically from a DVT flying point of view. I am trying to stay as fit as possible with this pregnancy compared to my last 2 in the hope that the recovery might be better generally. I'm guessing DVT is not something you can really control before hand.

A friend had also mentioned the abdominal surgery increases the risk. I am starting to worry that flying back so soon might be too risky. There is a window of opportunity that if work comes up for hubby this will be our only travel dates and for financial reasons we are forced to travel at this time because the fares would then be covered by the work. We've got very cheap flights and can cancel if the work doesn't happen. It's going to be a tricky decision because it might be another year or so before we get back otherwise.

Jerseygirl

Ozzio will know better than I but there is an injection that can be given to people who are at risk of DVT before flying.

Mrs Kiwi

Thanks guys.

Grayling - we will definitely check with hubbies consultant.
Jerseygirl, thanks for mentioning this injection, I am interested to know more....anyone know?

Jerseygirl

My MIL has had DVT therefore she gets the injection before she flies.

shirlw

Sub-cutaneous(just under surface of skin) injection of anti-coagulant like "clexane"(SA name not sure what it would be called in UK).Also DVT stockings which you should be able to get from one of your larger chemists or hospital supplies.

shirlw

Also a good idea to drink lots of water,avoid alcohol and get up and stretch often so that blood does not stagnate in the lower limbs.The danger is when you have been static for a long time then make a sudden move.Good luck,hope this helps.

Ozzidoc

Tinzaparin.

Stockings need to go all the way up to the top of the legs.

Mrs Kiwi

Thanks shirlw and Ozziedoc.

My hubbie is going to mention the Tinzaparin injection to his consultant but I suspect the NHS will be reluctant to give it unless they consider him a high risk of DVT, which is fair enough.

Good tip about the stockings needing to go all the way up to the top of the legs - does anyone in the UK have any ideas of where to get these as the ones sold in Boots and other shops usually only go up to the knees.