FLYING after mastectomy

Rupali · 08-11-2006, 01:32 PM

Hi all,
First of all I will like to thank each one of you who has always stood with me and I have recieved answers on this board for any and every thing.

I come back now with another question.

I had my right breast mastectomy done in December 2004 and it was accompanied by sentinel node bipsy and they removed 24 nodes out of which 11 were positive. I went thru the regular treatment of chemo, rads and now I am in my second year of Herceptin.

During all this time I have been scared to go in an airplane because I just fear the Lymphedemea. When I mentioned to my surgeon, she said that you will be fine without a sleeve to go in an airplane. When I talked to the Physical Therapist she said the same thing. My arm movement is fine and I can swim and do all activities with my right hand.

We are planning a vacation to India which will be like a 8 hour flight to Europe and then another 8 hours flight to India.

I want to know if you all wear a sleeve when you fly and if there is anyone who has not worn a sleeve and also about your experiences.

Regards,
Rupali

Sheila · 08-11-2006, 01:52 PM

Rupali
I was told that to prevent lymphedema in my mastectomy arm I SHOULD wear a sleeve when flying....its a simple thing, I was measured at the local pharmacy and they ordered it and I use it....especially on long flights....I was also told to wear TED Hose to prevent blood clots on any flight or car ride over 4 hours. It makes sense to me if I can do something this simple to prevent something serious! I guess its up to the individual on risks you are willing to take.

Chelee · 08-11-2006, 03:22 PM

I was told the same thing...to always wear a sleeve if flying.

Chelee

KathyH · 08-11-2006, 03:28 PM

Hi Friend!

My husband surprised me with a trip to Paris for my 40th birthday/one year of treatment. I had had a double mastectomy and node dissection. I did not wear a sleeve and had no problems.

Love, Kathy H

Becky · 08-11-2006, 04:37 PM

Dear Rupali

I travel extensively for business and always wear a cuff (measured by a specialist). I recently also got a glove because I walk and jog alot and in the heat my pointer finger on my affected side can swell (it goes right back down but no chances anymore).

I am a firm believer in using the glove while flying (I had a girlfriend who got lymphedema this way). You should put the cuff on before the flight, wear it during the flight and wear it for as many hours after the flight that you were in the air (wear 5 hours after a 5 hr flight) but never go to sleep on the ground with it on. The lymphedema network website will give you the details.

Once you get full blown lymphedema, its for life so try to prevent it. I get a swollen finger and only had 10 nodes removed.

Kindest regards

Becky

Julie2 · 08-11-2006, 04:42 PM

Rupali,

I have been flying for my vaccine trial and office work now and then since my mastectomy. I have a sleeve but some times I forget to wear it while flying. Fortunatley no lymphdema so far.

Julie

judiek · 08-11-2006, 04:47 PM

I was fitted for a flying sleeve after my surgery. I won't fly without one. When we went to maui 2 years ago (8 hr flight) I wore my sleeve and still had some swelling...it resolved after a day or so. Many do fly without but I would rather not take that chance...

Good luck with your decision

Judie

madubois63 · 08-11-2006, 05:30 PM

Since my mastectomy, I have flown to Mexico (Pacific side/5 hours) twice without a sleeve or problem. I have since seen what a bad case of lymphodema looks like and won't take the chance ever again. My friend Liz and I both wore sleeves and gloves yesterday. We kept them on all day. We flew small unpressurized planes and it was tough on my lungs, but my arm looks fine. If your flying that long, I say why take a chance???? Wear the sleeve and you will have one less worry...Have a nice trip!!!

lexigirl · 08-11-2006, 08:43 PM

Rupali,

I think it is best to be safe than sorry. It doesn't matter if the surgeon only remove 1 lymph node, the chance of getting lymphodema is there. I wore a sleeve in June on our trip to Florida and it wasn't a big deal at all. I put it on about 1 hour before boarding the plane and removed it about an hour after landing.

Have a wonderful trip.

Lexi

Lolly · 08-11-2006, 09:09 PM

Rupali, I have mild lymphedema on the side of primary bc/modified radical mast/rads, so when we went to Hawaii earlier this summer (5 hour flight) I wore a sleeve and still had some slight additional swelling in that arm. I DIDN'T wear the sleeve on the flight home and my arm was fine, so go figure!

<3 Lolly

Lani · 08-11-2006, 09:59 PM

I have a strange suspicion that those lovely salty peanuts they serve on the airplane and how much you drink or don't drink may have something to do with it. But it is just a theory...

Sheila · 08-12-2006, 05:29 AM

Lani

They dont serve peanuts on airplains anymore due to the high incidence of allergy...peanut allergies is one of the worse and can be deadly in kids...now they serve sun chips or pretzles

I am a conisourre (sp) of airline cuisine!

Peggy · 08-12-2006, 06:46 PM

I had my mastectomy in November and flew to London and Paris over Christmas. I had planned to get and wear a sleeve, but we live in a small town and I forgot so traveled without it. I had no swelling or problems with 8 hour flight...however, when we go to Japan this fall, I plan to wear one. It is one thing I can do that might make a positive difference...and my insurance will pay for it with a prescription from the doctor.

Peggy

koolbreeze · 08-13-2006, 04:32 AM

Oh my gosh, I am so glad I read this post. I am getting ready to fly to Puerto Rico in Sept. (going on a celebratory cruise for having gotten through all treatements etc.). I never even thought about the implications of flying after having my mastectomy and lymph nodes removed.

I had a left mastectomy and 9 lymph nodes removed in April of last year. In Jan this year I had my right mastectomy but no lymph nodes beyond the sentinal node. Do you think I will need a sleeve for both arms or only the one? I have not had any lymphedema problems to this point.

I am going to call my breast surgeon Monday and talk about this for sure. Thanks for posting about this. Hugs to all Kool

RobinP · 08-13-2006, 01:41 PM

I was never informed by my surgeon either to wear a cuff for flying. However, I believe that an ounze of prevention goes a long way, wether your doctor suggests it or not. So I would wear the cuff.

Lani · 08-13-2006, 02:24 PM

you obviously don't fly Southwest Air!

koolbreeze · 08-14-2006, 07:05 PM

I called both my docs today to check on their opinion on a sleeve. My onc doc's nurse said only the left arm where I had lymph nodes removed. My breast surgeon asked me to call a lymphedema treatment physical therapist. They recommended that I wear a sleeve on both arms since I have had a mastectomy in both even though only lymph nodes on the left side.

I checked into it and my insurance will cover at 100% so I am definitely going to get a sleeve for both arms and use them. I want to prevent the lymphedema even though there is a chance I would not have a problem without them.

Thanks again for posting on this topic. It helped me out. Kool