World Cup Travel After Bariatric Surgery: What Patients Need To Know Before Flying Long-Haul

The World Cup is an exciting time for many football fans. It is not just about watching a match. A World Cup is about being at a huge event, being part of a massive crowd of fans, enjoying the whole atmosphere of celebrations. These fans look forward to watching the games and witnessing history with their family and friends. Some of these sports fans include patients who’ve recently gone through weight loss surgery. So, when planning these trips the first question that comes to mind is this: Can I travel and get on long flights following a bariatric surgery? The answer is yes – you can do it.

Each patient is different and must be evaluated on an individual basis for safe air travel.

“Patients often want to know when they can travel after surgery,” says Prof. Dr. Ali Solmaz, General Surgeon and Obesity and Metabolic Surgery specialist at Erdem Hospital. “It is very important for patients to recover fully from the surgery before traveling. For this reason, patients need to make sure that their body is ready for the trip. The key issue here is to have a healthy trip. Being in airports, in queues, in the heat, being up late at night and eating all kinds of food can be very difficult for patients who are still recovering from surgery.”

When planning a trip after bariatric surgery, it is always best to include your surgeon in your plans. He will be able to tell you when it is safe for you to travel and whether they think you should avoid a long haul flight. If you’ve recently had cases of vomiting, dehydration or infection, you may want to consider not traveling. In addition, if you have had recent bleeding or are unable to eat and drink as normal then travel is not advised. It is also important to consider if you’re taking a short domestic flight within your country or a long distance flight to another continent.

Hydration, protein and food choices

Individuals who have undergone metabolic surgery have had to relearn how to eat in order to obtain optimum results. In the meantime, all patients who have undergone surgery recently need to be strict with their medical regime. This can pose an issue when traveling, especially when you are out all day at a huge event such as a World Cup match for long hours.

What happens when you have no food options other than salty, fried foods that are high in fat and come in very large portions? After weight loss surgery, patients have to be extremely strict with their postoperative diet in order to obtain optimum results from their surgery. They have to have strict control over their portions of food and make sure that they are getting enough protein throughout the day. Also, they have to make sure that they are drinking plenty of water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated. They have to also take all of their medications and supplements on a daily basis. Traveling can make it very difficult for patients to stay on track with their strict diet, especially when they are surrounded by so many unhealthy options. Patients need to be careful about not consuming foods that may cause discomfort or make them sick. This is why it is very important for patients to plan out their meals in advance and to stick to their diet as much as possible while traveling. With a little bit of planning, they can enjoy their trip while still sticking to their healthy diet.

“After bariatric surgery, patients need to take their hydration very seriously,” says Prof. Dr. Solmaz. “This means having a written plan for the amount of fluid that the patient will take, the type of protein that they will consume, and the signs and symptoms that may urge them to seek medical attention. Having such a plan will ensure that the patient has a safe and effective recovery from surgery,” he notes.

Another crucial element for a comfortable and safe trip is a well-prepared ‘travel bag’. This includes protein-rich snacks for immediate consumption as well as sugar-free and electrolyte-rich sports drinks to keep patients hydrated throughout the day. All the medications and supplements, a list of the patients’ current medication as well as detailed records of the surgery  should be in the bag as well. Any additional relevant medical information as well as travel insurance can be useful in case of an emergency.

Moving safely during the flight

A traveler who has undergone obesity and metabolic surgery must do everything to prevent the development of blood clots. Long periods of sitting on a plane increases this risk. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the risk of blood clots can increase with sitting for more than four hours. Thus, during the flight, it is necessary to get up and move from time to time. Even sitting, some simple calf flexions can help. Wearing compression stockings or taking blood thinners (aspirin) can also be recommended by a doctor.

“Simply taking blood thinners, such as aspirin, or wearing compression stockings, as some patients do, is not sufficient. Every patient requires a personalized treatment plan that takes into account the date of surgery, individual risk factors, and current stage of recovery,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Solmaz.

Wearing loose clothing and taking walks around the airport when waiting for a departing flight during layovers are also recommended.

The goal here is to have a wonderful experience while traveling comfortably and safely, to watch games and to return home in good shape without any health problems.