Thrombus simply means blood clot. Blood clot on deep veins is not dangerous in itself. It is when that piece of clot breaks off and travels downstream to the heart and into the pulmonary circulation system and positions in the lungs. Newly operated travelers are more at risk.

So how soon should you fly after surgery? Mark Gendreau, MD, of Tufts University School of Medicine advises patients to wait 10 to 14 days before flying if you’ve had an orthopedic, chest, abdominal, neurological, or ear, nose, and throat procedure. During the lengthy flight, stay hydrated by drinking fluids – water, please – and avoiding diuretic fluids like caffeine or alcohol. Be an opportunist and stretch your legs whenever you can. Wear compression stockings too!

If you are seriously considering getting surgery done offshore, it is practical to really make a list of your priorities.  Why are you going through this at all?  And for how long can you afford to be away to cover your recovery period? Because if the plan of action is not clear to you, you might just find yourself getting too stressed out travelling, take one flight after another.  After a series of operation, you can’t just fly back too soon.  And if you think  it’s a chance to bask in the sun, explore a jungle or dive to see the corals, think again. New York City Councilman Miguel Martinez was concerned because many New York City residents have been returning home after surgery and then complaining of boils, swelling and red splotches on their skin. In Eastern Europe, two patients who just had tummy tuck found their wounds reopened after the surgery. Our bodies are natural healers but it needs a support system. And what we do after the surgery contributes to the success of the procedure itself.

There are excellent Plastic Surgeons offshore, that’s for sure. So make sure you choose the most dependable surgeon in the land because coming home with a botched surgery is not what you are after. Remedies and repairs are much more difficult on surgeries gone wrong than it would on an inborn-not-so-perfect countenance. My suggestion is: do an extensive research.  Preparation is a key factor to avoid unpleasant surprises and enjoy the experience.  A specific step would be, check if the doctor is a local choice of the country’s leading celebrities. Considering the country’s cost of living, is the cost impossibly cheap? Or is it competitive enough?

Check if the package suits your body and your lifestyle. Always put your medical condition in perspective. Respect your body limits. Don’t sign in for skiing, diving, extended and long flights, swimming nor exercising when you still have fresh stitches. The best package would be one that will promote healing and rejuvenation above tourism and adventure. You deserve no less than an excellent medical care so make sure your decision is well thought-out.