Flying after a MX

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timerdog
timerdog Member Posts: 159
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

HI All,

I was wondering if anyone can give me advise on flying after having all the lymph nodes my Dr could find pulled out. I had my dx on the 17th of dec and my MX on the 23rd. I got my three drains out today and the Dr said I was healing very fast. Of course I am incredibly healthy except for this cancer I've got going on. Not sure what stage I am at as I get my pathology report of Jan 4th. I fly to Cuba on the 7th. My Dr. has some reservations but says it is up to me. I am just worried as I have read that some women fly with a "sleeve' or a compression device.

Thanks 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited December 2010

    timerdog, your might want to post this question on the Lymphedema forum. Generally a compression sleeve & gauntlet is considered to be a good idea for flying, but I don't know what the recommendation is so soon after surgery.

    Best of luck. Heal well.

    Leah

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited December 2010

    PLEASE post on the lymphedema forum.  You DON'T want to get lymphedema if you can help it.  Flying can bring it on.  I only had 1 lymph node removed on each side and I still got it.  I don't want to scare you, but lymphedema stinks big time.  Do everything you can to prevent it now.  Post over on the LE forum and get more knowledgeable women than I to help you.

     Take care!

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  • supersally
    supersally Member Posts: 351
    edited January 2011

    Is a compression sleeve recommended no matter what the time frame iw?  I am considering flying at 4 wks past BLMX with immediate reconstruction/TE. 

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited January 2011

    supersally - four weeks flying after having major surgery, not sure I'd do that, supersally.  What does your doctor say?  I know that four weeks after my DMX with TE placement I wasn't ready to fly.  Some women still have drains in at four weeks ... most don't, but some still do.  You're really going to be really sore.  My PS didn't clear me to go the gym until six weeks.  I wasn't supposed to get my heart rate up for at least four ... I tried to do it before and had painful muscle spasms.  They are going to cut your pec muscle to place the TE.  It hurts.  Please check with your surgeon about flying and see what they say.  The compression/glove/gauntlet ... how many lymph nodes are they going to remove?  You won't know that until your surgery.  You can get lymphedema even with a simple MX.  Please talk to your doc.

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