Hello to all,

I'll be getting a compression sleeve next week, then fly out to Mexico with hubby on vacation. It will be my first flight ever since surgery. 18 nodes were removed, so I was told that my risk of developing lymphedema was a little more risky than most.

We'll be flying on a red-eye. I understand that we're encouraged to drink lots of fluids and keep moving during flight. I'm no night owl at all! I even fall asleep during movies, haha. Well, I hope I won't have to approach anything related to lymphedema on vacation!

IF you did get lymphedema, what was your experiences and what did you learn from it?

Any helpful input?? Many thanks! Hugs :-)

Hi Jo Jo, I flew from Australia to New Zealand with the garment on, didn't do anything different only got up to go to the looo. Coming back I was halfway home before I realised I did not have the sleeve on, I had 16 glands removed. Never had problem with Lymphoedema until I fractured my shoulder, so I was in a bad way, so now stuck with an arm that looks like a pork sausage from elbow up.. Hugs Lyn

Jojo,
Although I was fortunate to have NOT had lymphedema, after my mastectomy a few years back, my physical therapist was a lymphedema specialist. We discussed it quite a bit, and she says there is absolutely no problem in flying, although rumors abound about it.

Viva la Mexico!

Love and light,

Lisa

I have always worn a compression sleeve when flying, recommended by my oncologist to prevent lymphadema from occurring,,,I have flown alot and no problem...lucky you, going to Mexico!!! Have fun!
Sheila

Have a great time in Mexico. I have done a fair amount of flying since my mastectomy 1 1/2 years ago -- the latest being from Washington State to New Zealand (five plane changes and more than 24 hours of travelling). I was advised right after surgery to wear a compression sleeve on all flights. Put it on at least one hour before boarding the plane and leaving it on for at least three hours after leaving the plane. So far, I've had no problems with lyphedema. Be sure to take lots of sunscreen!

Hi -
I assume you are planning to wear a sleeve as a "deterrant" to fluid build up in a pesssurized cabin??
No mastectomy for my - lumpectomy, but I did have 18 (8 badly positive) nodes removed because of high grade and bad sentinal node result. Not long after second surgery I took a trip to California (from WA state) and my treatment team made no mention of me using a sleeve. In the 3 years since my surgeries I have flown a lot (just came back from Florida) and never had the slightest hint of lymphedema.
I do exercise with 4 pound weights to keep my circulation healthy. Takes only a few minutes every other day.