hi, had my left hip replaced last July , was wondering if i can fly now, have booked a holiday overseas in May so will be 10 months post op. by then, didnt give it a second thought when i booked, too late now !!!
I believe there's no medical reason at all why you shouldn't fly now.
However, you may wish to consult your airline &/or airport to ask what you need to be ready to do to convince the security check-in personnel that you aren't a gun-toting terrorist when you set all the alarms off as you go through the metal detector
!
I had my THR in January this year and I fly to New Zealand in July. I'm determined to be back to full strength by then. A 26 hour flight out and 30 hours coming back - groan!!
To be honest I never thought to ask anyone if it was ok. I think I'd have had more trouble sitting for that long before my op rather than now - it was so painful!
Will we really set off the alarms? Has anyone had that happen?
My Doctor told me no flying for 2 montsh after surgery.
Hey, I have booked to go away to Italy for a week in August, which will be 5 months post op. It's not something I had given consideration to. I will watch this post with interest. Emma x
You will be okay to fly in May, 10 months is a good length of time since your op, so you should be fine. I was given a card from the hospital to say I had had an "Exeter Hip" and the date of the replacement with my NHS number and hospital number and also a picture of it. They told me it would be wise to carry that with me and tell them before I went through the "gate" that I had had a hip replacement just in case I set the alarms off and everyone went into a panic.
I just did a search and the NHS website came up with good results. It says 3 months after hip replacement but consider dvt socks and inform travel insurance.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2615.aspx?CategoryID=69
So at 10 months you should be definitely fine.
thanks everyone, i had a feeling it would be ok, but i wasnt sure, just proves that i feel ok, so really pleased with the results, just hope the other hip behaves itself for a lot longer !
I've flown a couple of times since both my hips were done and have set off the atarms at each airport, so be prepared to be given a good going over!
AgW
Hi
Had bi-lateral hip replacement 27/2/14 and flew long haul 8 months later. As a precaution I asked the consultant for a 'fit to fly letter' just in case of any problems. There were none except the security hand held detector going off whenever it was passed over/around both hip areas but I had pre-warned them first and there was no cause for concern.
My consultant gave me a letter to show security if I set off alarm! Enjoy your trip x
I had my op 8th Aug and flew 30th Oct 5 1/2 hr flt. But (a) take your crutch if yu stl have it.. helps for boarding (b) get aisle seat so you can get up and stretch (c) DO NOT lift suitcase (d) security in UK are OK and I have never set off alarms but crutch is good signal!!
I was told 3. months so I flew after 6... so disappointed I didn't set off the security alarm at Manchester! I did wear the flightsocks though but not sure they were really necessary!
Hi Christine. My husband saw consultant yesterday 6 weeks post op and was told not to fly until sept earliest. So 10 months should be no problem. Don't forget f.light socks though and keep moving
Hi I had my thr in January and had to fly after 7 weeks as my mother sadly passed away. My consultant gave me a letter stating that he was happy for me to fly to show the airline in case they asked for it. I got wheelchair assistance and booked a seat with more leg room, luckily it was a short flight as it was uncomfortable so after 10 months I'd say you will be fine - enjoy
Hi Martha, don't suppose you are coming near Blenheim in NZ are you, we could meet up and compare as i had mine in oct! Also you could tell me how you managed with the flight as i am thinking of going to see my daughter in Uk in august. Jenny NZ
In Poland I was asked to be searched in separate room , I just said 'shall I just show it' to which they replied yes. Quick drop off the pants and I was through security. Most understand, but think I am going to get one of those cards.
Hi Christine,
i just had my six weeks post op yesterday and talked to my doctor about flying in June or July and he said no problem.....so you should be just fine!
as far as setting off the alarms....I had back surgery in 2001 and have set them off since then, I just make sure I tell the security that I have to go through the X-ray scanner and if they don't I tell them I will set it off (AND I DO) and then they do the wand scan. Oh, I also have a knee replacement that sets them off. It's not a big deal, just takes a little extra time when they have to scan with the wand. I'm in the Middle East now and a lot of these airports don't have the X-rays so I just plan on having to be scanned with the wand. I don't think my hip will set them off because mine is ceramic, but it doesn't matter at this point because I will set them off with everything else. I make it seem fun, I smile and say "I'm going to set this off".
Have a safe fun trip and don't worry about the security people.....they are nice and understanding.
Hi Jenny
Where is Blenheim? We're in Auckland for a week for my son's graduation. I wouldn't choose to come in July as it's the middle of winter (came in February last time!) but that's when it is. Then we're going north I think to the Bay of Islands. We only have 2 weeks as that's only the time I can be away from our B&B here in the Uk - it's our busiest time here and my sister will be managing on her own
Next time (when I've retired) I want to get a camper and do much longer!!
We can keep in touch though Jenny, email or facebook? and I can let you know how it was?
xx
Hi Martha, i am in south island, at the top near picton where the ferry comes in from wellington, so it is a bit far to come if you are only here for a couple of weeks. I am on facebook so we can keep in touch and perhaps i could fly up to meet you. My son works for ANZ so can get me discounted fares and it will be warmer in auckland than blenheim in the middle of winter. Or if not maybe we could catch up when i go to the uk in aug/sept? Good luck with the flight. Jenny x