During a recent live Instagram chat, Kay Plump wrote in to ask, “What about flying after a BBL?” Since many Atlantic Coast Aesthetics cosmetic surgery patients come from outside the southern Florida area, this is a great question for several reasons. Out of town patients do have special post op considerations to optimize their Brazilian butt lift recovery, especially when traveling after surgery requires a multi-hour flight.
The short answer is, yes, you can fly after BBL or any other form of plastic surgery if you take certain precautions. Ideally, we recommend postponing travel for as many days post surgery as possible, regardless of the type of procedure or how you’re traveling, to expedite your surgery recovery and minimize the risk of complications. Some people tolerate Brazilian butt lift surgery and the postoperative stage better than others. Some people try to get in and out as quickly as possible, because lodging, food and other expenses do increase the Brazilian butt lift cost and need to be taken into account.
After your BBL procedure, it’s a good idea to avoid placing direct pressure on the area, as this can alter the fat cell distribution, change the shape of the area and leave you with a result which doesn’t have either the shape or volume you were hoping for. A BBL pillow, which is a specially designed foam pillow which takes the pressure off your buttocks, is an excellent postsurgical tool to help alleviate pressure when sitting is unavoidable. One popular brand is the “Booty Buddy” BBL pillow, but you can find others which meet your price range and specific needs with a quick Google search.
A lot depends on the length of the flight. For shorter flights, say 1-2 hours, it may not be a factor. If a BBL pillow is not an option because of carry-on restrictions or policy reasons, a rolled-up towel under the area can serve the same purpose. However, standing up and moving around as much as possible is important because, especially immediately post-op, there is a risk of blood clots forming. This in turn can lead to potentially fatal complications like a pulmonary embolism, where a clot forms elsewhere in the body, breaks loose and travels through the blood stream to the lungs. Most airlines are sympathetic to the unique needs of postoperative patients and have special protocols in place to accommodate them as much as possible. Some airlines provide a special form which you can request beforehand and present at check-in in cases such as when flying after BBL, a body lift or other more invasive procedures.
Dr. Thomas A. Pane, ACA’s Chief Medical Officer and founder, is a plastic surgeon double board certified in both emergency and cosmetic surgery. We offer in-person and “hybrid” consultations which combine in-person and virtual consultation elements, as well as patient resources for information on safe post-op travel where you need to go. Some of the services he and ACA offer include:
- arm lift
- body contouring
- body lift
- breast augmentation
- breast augmentation cost assistance including in-house financing OAC
- breast implants
- breast lift costs assistance including in-house financing OAC
- breast lifting
- breast procedures
- breast reduction
- brow lift
- chemical peels
- chin augmentation
- eyelid surgery
- fat grafting
- liposuction
- liposuction costs assistance including in-house financing OAC
- male breast reduction
- mommy makeover
- neck lift
- thigh lift
- tummy tucks
- vaginal rejuvenation
For more information about how Dr. Pane and ACA can help you achieve the body and look you’ve been wishing for, click here to contact us or give us a call at 561-513-4763. We’re always happy to discuss your cosmetic surgery goals and the available options to ensure you get the care that’s right for you. Remember, at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we believe the only bad question is the one you DON’T ask!