A frequently asked question by patients is, can I travel after my bariatric surgery? The answer to this question cannot be answered with a simple YES or NO. At the Obesity Health team, we have formulated certain conditions that allow our patients to travel as safely as possible. These conditions are based on the experience of thousands of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and also on the available scientific evidence. It is important to explain under what conditions and times patients are allowed to travel after their bariatric or metabolic surgery, and to understand what risks these conditions must be met.

What situations should be considered when traveling after bariatric surgery?

There are two main situations. The occurrence of these situations is anecdotal and very rare, but they are the reason why traveling after your surgery must follow certain conditions:

1.- Blood clot formation. Blood clot formation can occur in the legs, arms, abdomen and lungs. It is a rare complication after surgery and one of the main causes of immobilization. That is why, in certain cases, travel must be carried out with certain requirements.

2.- Complications while away. Complications such as infections or bleeding are very rare nowadays. These can occur up to the 6th week after surgery (after this time it is almost impossible for them to occur) and, in all cases, they can be treated and cured. Sometimes, returning to your city of residence takes you away from the care of your clinic or the team that performed the surgery. But you should not worry, most of these can be treated with telephone instructions or calls from us. In rarer cases, we will ask you to go to a health professional in your area, with whom we will be in contact or to return to us.

In any case, traveling after your surgery requires you to do the following:

A.- It is recommended to stretch your legs during the trip. If this is not possible due to space, try to stretch them only every 30 minutes. Do not keep them always bent in the same position.

B.- You should continue drinking your liquids. Remember, with a tablespoon or 10 ml with a syringe every 2-3 minutes.

C.- It is not strictly necessary, but the use of compression stockings can be helpful. You can buy compression stockings before your surgery in a store such as Amazon or Mercado Libre.

D.- La persona que te acompaña debe subir las maletas por ti, no puedes hacer esfuerzo. Deja que te consientan.

Viajar en auto el día del alta o antes de la primera semana

If it is possible to travel by car during the first few days after discharge, many patients can do so without any risk. However, it is necessary to bear in mind that we can only do so if:

1.- The destination is 4 hours or less away.

2.- If you are going to travel in a private car, you CANNOT travel on a public bus, because the driver will not make the stops you need.

3.- If someone from your family or friend is going to drive for you (you should not drive during that period).

4.- Make stops every 2 hours, where you should get out of the car and take a short walk of 10-15 steps. You can do this while you are getting gas or while you buy water or belight at a convenience store.

5.- Do ALL recommendations from A to D (see above)

Traveling by car after the first week

1.- You can travel after the first week, even to longer destinations (up to 15 hours maximum).

2.- DO NOT travel by bus, it must be in a private car.

3.- A family member or friend must drive for you.

4.- Make stops every 2 hours, where you should get out of the car and take a short walk of 10-15 steps. You can do this while you are getting gas or while you buy water or belight at a convenience store.

5.- If the trip is very long, it is better to drive 5 to 6 hours and rest in a hotel, to continue the trip the next day.

6.- Do ALL recommendations from A to D (see above)

Traveling by plane

1.- It is NOT recommended to travel by plane before the first week of surgery

2.- Between day 7 and day 14 after surgery, you can travel by plane for trips of less than 3 hours. If you have stopovers, you can travel for less than 3 hours and stop for another flight. Do not take direct flights of more than 3 hours during this period.

3.- After the 14th, direct flights of more than 3 hours can be taken.

4.- Do ALL recommendations from A to D (see above)

Private patients

These recommendations apply to ALMOST all patients, however, there will be cases that have different recommendations, such as not going for walks and getting more rest, there will be those who are prescribed anticoagulants for the trip, or there will even be those who are not recommended to travel until much later. If you are a particular case, we will let you know in advance.

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