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Is Air Travel Advisable After Tonsillectomy Surgery?

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Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016
Question: my 20 yr old son is having a tonsillectomy this Thursday. he is a junior at Clemson and wants to fly from south XXXXXXX to Arizona for the BCS championship game leaving on Saturday coming back next Tuesday. is that a good idea?
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Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
travel is safe after the risk of bleeding has abated

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
I have gone through your query.
Tonsillectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure. That means you'll be able to go home the day of the surgery. An overnight stay is possible if complications arise or if the surgery is done on a young child.
Nearly everyone experiences pain after a tonsillectomy. Pain is most often in the throat and frequently in the ears but may also be located in the jaw or the neck.
Bed rest is important for several days after surgery, and strenuous activities — such as running and bike riding — should be avoided for two weeks after surgery.
In general as it relates to tonsillectomy, travel is safe after the risk of bleeding has abated.
Though bleeding can occur immediately post surgery, it can also occur later when the wound is healing and the scab tissue is coming off.
Because of the potential risk of bleeding up to at least 10 days (in rare cases up to 2 weeks), it would be better to postpone your flight. But You can consider speaking to your ENT surgeon to see what he/she recommends.

This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you.
Take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Ashwini Kolur

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1014 Questions

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Is Air Travel Advisable After Tonsillectomy Surgery?

Brief Answer: travel is safe after the risk of bleeding has abated Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome. I have gone through your query. Tonsillectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure. That means you'll be able to go home the day of the surgery. An overnight stay is possible if complications arise or if the surgery is done on a young child. Nearly everyone experiences pain after a tonsillectomy. Pain is most often in the throat and frequently in the ears but may also be located in the jaw or the neck. Bed rest is important for several days after surgery, and strenuous activities — such as running and bike riding — should be avoided for two weeks after surgery. In general as it relates to tonsillectomy, travel is safe after the risk of bleeding has abated. Though bleeding can occur immediately post surgery, it can also occur later when the wound is healing and the scab tissue is coming off. Because of the potential risk of bleeding up to at least 10 days (in rare cases up to 2 weeks), it would be better to postpone your flight. But You can consider speaking to your ENT surgeon to see what he/she recommends. This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor. I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Take care.