Long Haul Flights after Lymph node clearance

[irenko]

Hi Everyone
I had a total axilla lymph node clearance at the end of July. I am due to fly long haul next March, has anyone had any problems in a similar situation. Also, how long after your op did you fly short haul and were you okay on both counts? Did anyone wear a compression sleeve?

[naughty_boob]

If I was you, I would check with a medical professional for advice on this issue.

You may want to ask one of the BCN nurses

• Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
• Ask Our Nurses: You can message our nurses here on the forum, or confidentially. Whatever you prefer.

[irenko]

Thanks yes, I plan to check with a medical professional but just wondered if anyone already had any experience

[Jill1998]

Might be worth a look at the lymphoedema live speaker next week - you can send your questions in for them to answer

Speakers Live - Lymphoedema

Join our online live speaker session on Lymphoedema with Melanie Thomas on Wednesday 9th October. Speakers Live is an opportunity to learn more from experts about relevant topics. The events take place in real time over Zoom and you can ask questions by sending them in beforehand, or by typing in the chat box during the event. No cameras or microphones are on during the session. For registration and further details head to our website - Speakers Live | Breast Cancer Now. Any questions please…

Hope all goes well and you have a great trip .

[irenko]

Fabulous suggestion. Thank you

[Pollyann]

Hi @irenko,

Not quite the same, as I’d had lymph node clearance a few years before my trip, but in summer 23 I flew to New Zealand which meant two long haul legs of the journey each way and I had no issues. I did make sure I got up and moved about regularly, and I made sure I got an aisle seat for that reason. Hope you have a lovely trip!
P x

[irenko]

Thank you. It’s reassuring to hear. Considering getting a compression sleeve too

[chillout365]

Hi

I’m in a similar position to you, had clearance last November and flying long haul in a couple of weeks, first flight since it all happened.

I was going to ask for an aisle seat, I don’t usually move on a flight but think I’m going to have too on this one, also thinking compression socks and sleeve.

Just keeping my fingers crossed it all goes smoothly, just something else to add to my anxiety

Take care
Xx

[TDG]

I think experiences may vary from person to person, but I travelled long haul about 9 months after my ALND surgery and didn’t really make any changes such as wearing a compression sleeve (This wasn’t something that I was aware about to actually consider at the time). I did call the BCN helpline the day before my flight as it suddenly occurred to me that I didn’t know if I needed to carry any medical docs as I also had a mastectomy. i.e. in the event I was randomly called to go through an airport scanner. I didn’t face any problems during my flight I just made sure to move about more than usual and took an aisle seat to help with this, just more fatigued than usual after landing.

Hope all goes well for your travels. xx

[irenko]

Let me know how it goes and hope you have a good trip. We are never really going to be free are we but we must remember to enjoy life as much as we can and not let it define us - rather than we define it. xx

[ljalf71]

I had lymph node clearance in Nov 22 and flew for 4 hours the following March, not exactly long haul but I was nervous about it. I spoke to my oncologist and she just said wear flight socks, get up and walk regularly, do leg exercise’s in your seat, no alcohol and plenty of water. I think these precautions are mainly to do with being on Tamoxifen/Zoladex and not so much to do with the surgery. I’ve since done another couple of 4/5 hour flights with no issues at all. The best way to prevent lymphoedema when travelling is to not get sunburn or mozzy bites or if you do get them look after then so they don’t get infected. Hope this helps and I hope you have a lovely time wherever you’re going xx

[irenko]

Thank you to ALL of you for responding to my question @ljalf71 @TDG @Pollyann @chillout365 @Jill1998 and @naughty_boob
This has been most reassuring.
This year has very much felt like a year of “this was a success but next I want to” and I’m beginning to feel like I will never get a breakaway. Not flying till March, and I have told my clinicians that nothing can get in my way but just always feel like something might. So it’s good to know that you have managed to get on a plane and go somewhere after all.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

[sprout78]

I don’t really fly but hadn’t even thought about it! I flew about a year after my op but only to Scotland so just an hour and no problems. I think I packed a doctors letter to explain my meds as only took hand luggage, but that was it. X