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Anesthesiology/gallbladder removal and flying

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Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 6/17/2008


Question
I am booked for a gallbladder removal hopefully with keyhole surgery on 10th July. My family holiday in Thailand is due to start on 25th July. If I take aspirin and wear a stocking and move around during the flight, am I taking a foolish risk of DVT by flying so soon after surgery? I am 44, BMI 22.5, smoker. I am not on the Pill.
Thanks!!

Answer
Jane
There are no hard and fast rules about this. Given your details I reckon that something like 999 out of 1000 times everything would be fine, especially at 14-15 days after lap surgery. However something like 1 in 1000 times something might go wrong at some stage and so either prevent you going on holiday or lead to you having a problem.
What would I do?
If gallbladder doesn't give you a lot of trouble - ask to delay op and have the holiday first. If the gallbladder has put you in hospital previously and been causing you problems - then go and have the op first.
Sorry not sure that I've helped!
Dr Ian Jackson

Anesthesiology

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Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based

Expertise

I am a Consultant Anaesthetist in the UK. My interests include ambulatory or day surgery, obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia, acute pain management (use of epidurals and patient controlled analgesia)anaesthesia for surgery on the airway, orthopaedics and most things except brains and hearts. Interest in prehospital care of trauma and provision of medical cover at motorsport events.

Experience


Organizations
European Society of Regional Anaesthesia
British Association of Day Surgery
Obstetric Anaesthetists Association
Association of Anaesthetists

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