Air travel after Bowel surgery….

Perhaps run it by your team? Only they will know for sure, but then its upto you for your quality of life.

Hi I flew to Spain April 22 and I’d had my LAR with Ileostomy Aug 21 so it was about eight months. 
All was absolutely fine. I didn’t eat the day of travel and just drank plenty with no problem   I took plenty of spare products and a change of clothes just incase. 

That’s good to hear . Did the airline ask you to fill out a fit to fly form?

No they didn’t I didn’t tell them that I’d had an operation my main concern was taking my Ileostomy bags through security. I took a certificate to show the staff as I went through. I didn’t have on going treatment so I was good to go. 
hopefully you’re team will help 

Best wishes 

Hi Grahamthegreat 

Do you mind me asking what surgery you had? I travel abroad regularly, but I didn’t have bowel cancer. I had my rectum removed for another cancer, along with my bladder so I travel with 2 stomas but I don’t know if that’s relevant to your situation. I never actually thought of asking my consultant if I could go abroad! 

Sarah xx

Hi - no I don’t have a stoma. I had an anterior resection,  so a big vertical scar along my stomach!  I’ll probably ask my surgeon and see what she thinks 

I have never seen the Macmillan pamphlet on travel, so I never thought about travel not being recommended. The only thing I remember checking with a doctor was about about flying as I’d had a pulmonary embolism and wasn’t sure if I was at any increased risk from that. Turned out the answer was no and he told me to go and live my life! 

Best to check with your surgeon-when I told mine I’d booked a holiday she thought it was a great idea, but I was more than a year out of my surgery as Covid stopped us being able to go earlier. I hope you get a positive response from yours and can get away. It’s great to get a holiday when you’ve been through a lot. 

Sarah xx

Yep - might go campervanning instead ! Planning ahead for a decent break ….

Evening Graham

I had an LAR in late Jan 18, my first flight was to Venice in May '18, surgeon was happy with the distance.  My sons had a 'get Dad to Kiev' plan & somehow .anaged to get me a ticket for the Champions League final to watch our beloved Liverpool.  She drew the line at that idea saying it's an 8hr flight and the nearest centre of excellence is Moscow - no way.  No signature = no insurance so I didn't go, we were in Madrid the year after to see them lift it.  In Sept. 18 my wife & me went to Iceland - incredible place.  In Nov'18 we flew to Thailand.  The furthest we flew was Buenos Aires to go to Antarctica (see above)

Since the pandemic we've visited NZ & Australia.   I have never experienced problems due to my surgery.  My advice get proper insurance and go for it.  2020 showed us that if you have the chance take it while it's still there. 

YNWA 

Mike

Thank you