OVERVIEW
UNEXPECTED SURGERY
Unscheduled surgery close to a planned holiday can be very stressful, not least because it is so hard to predict if you will be sufficiently fit to fly (from both a health and insurance perspective).
The issue of air travel following surgical intervention is becoming an increasingly important issue in line with the wider use of day surgery.
This situation happened to us in 2024 when my husband needed urgent eye surgery. It went well and there were no complications, other than a small follow-up procedure 1 week later. However the treatment he received prevented him from flying for 6 weeks.
Thankfully we had just a bit longer than that before our dream trip to the Arctic Circle in Norway but it was a worrying time.
Hopoefully the information below will be helpful if you find yourself in a similar situation - the main things to think about are your fitness for flying and ensuring you have appropriate medical clearance.
WHAT IS MEDICAL CLEARANCE?
(Information taken from the civil aviation authority CAA website)
You may be asked for proof of your “fitness to fly” when requesting assistance during travel. If you have a stable condition, there is generally no need to be cleared for travel.
There are usually two parts to the medical clearance process:
You will be asked to provide information about your situation or condition. For many passengers this will be all you will need to complete.
If the airline has concerns about how flying might impact your particular condition, it will ask you to complete a further form.
You may also be asked to provide medical proof at this stage, often a doctor’s note.
It is always best, in more complex cases, to contact the airline concerned in order that their medical adviser can have as much information as possible before making a decision on fitness to fly.
TRAVELLING AFTER SURGERY
The time between surgery and travel varies, depending on the complexity and extent of the surgical procedure.
It is appropriate to allow a minimum of:
24 hours after simple cataract or corneal laser surgery (if no complications)
One to two days following keyhole surgery
Between four and five days for simple abdominal surgery
At least one week for more complex eye surgery for example that used for a detachment of the back of the eye (retina) - but it could be significantly longer
Approximately 10 days for chest or abdominal surgery due to increased risk of internal bleeding
These timings are guidance only, and do not take into account how well the individual will have responded to the treatment and their likely speed of recovery given any other existing conditions.
It is important that you dont underestimate the effect of flying / travelling on the body - recovery times are there for a reason!
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
I would strongly recommend that you consider booking special assistance to help you during your journey. For more information on booking special assistance for your flight, and the different ways it can help make your journey easier visit our dedicated Special Assistance for Family Travel Page.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Risk of Blood Clots after Surgery
There is a general risk of clotting for up to four to six weeks after surgery for all patients, but flying long distances aggravates this problem further.
It is vital that you discuss your onward travel plans with your specialist to determine if you need any additional post-operative support.
For example, after knee surgery blood thinners are typically administered to patients. If there is a long plane flight in the patient’s future, their doctor will choose an appropriate type of blood thinner to accommodate those plans. Patients can be given anticoagulants following surgery, and the choice of blood thinner includes balancing the risk of clotting with the risk of bleeding after surgery.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Comprehensive Overview of Flying with Medical Conditions (Fitness to Fly) from Patient Information UK
Useful information on flying post surgery from the CAA - aimed at health professionals