How soon after surgery can I fly?
Most people can fly again within a few days to a few weeks of cosmetic surgery, but the right timing depends on the operation, the type of anaesthetic and how you are healing. This guide starts with the general advice, then sets out Bella Vou’s estimated timelines, and finishes with how to travel to and from our clinic in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Flying After Cosmetic Surgery: The General Advice
Each airline has its own rules about flying after surgery, so check with yours before you travel, particularly after more complicated surgery. After surgery you are less mobile and at a higher risk of a blood clot in the legs (DVT) or lungs, which is why the timing matters. The Civil Aviation Authority gives this rough guide for abdominal surgery.
| Type of surgery | General guide before flying |
|---|---|
| Simple abdominal surgery | Allow 4 to 5 days |
| More complicated abdominal surgery | Allow about 10 days |
| Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) | At least 2 weeks is advisable |
| Facelift | Our guide: no flying for 7 days before or after (short haul) or 14 days before or after (long haul) |
| Breast augmentation | Our guide: about 6 weeks after surgery |
Whatever the procedure, wear compression stockings, stay well hydrated and move around when you can. Check your travel insurance policy too, as you may need to tell your insurer you have recently had surgery, which could affect the cost.
Bella Vou’s Estimated Timeline for Flying
Most of our procedures are carried out under general anaesthetic. These are the estimated timelines from our 2026 aftercare guides. Flying before surgery matters as well as after it, so plan your trip around both dates.
| Procedure | Short haul (under 3 hours) | Long haul (over 3 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Facelift (general anaesthetic) | Not within 7 days before or after surgery | Not within 14 days before or after surgery |
| Breast augmentation | About 6 weeks after surgery (short or long haul). Keep your legs and feet moving every few hours. | About 6 weeks after surgery (short or long haul). Keep your legs and feet moving every few hours. |
| Tummy tuck | Around 2 to 3 weeks after surgery | Around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery |
Please note: these are general timelines that we suggest. How soon you can fly depends on you, your procedure and your surgeon, so please talk it through at your consultation. We will confirm the dates that are right for you.
Procedures under local anaesthetic do not carry the same restrictions, although we still suggest waiting one to two weeks so we can check your wounds before you fly.
Your First Consultation Can Be From Home
Your consultation is usually a secure video call with one of our consultant plastic surgeons. If you would rather meet in clinic, tell us and we will arrange it. You will cover your medical history, the results you can expect, your recovery and any possible complications, and you can agree your travel and flying plans with your surgeon. We never pressure anyone, and if you are unsure about an operation you can see us more than once without a consultation charge.
How Long You Will Be With Us
Your named surgeon, a consultant anaesthetist and our nursing team look after you throughout. Whoever collects you needs to take you home, and after a general anaesthetic someone must stay with you for the first 48 hours. Time in hospital depends on your surgery and surgeon.
| Procedure | Time in hospital |
|---|---|
| Deep plane facelift | Most patients stay overnight, and where an overnight stay isn’t needed, you’ll still have a bedroom to recover in |
| Mummy makeover | One or two nights |
Visits to Plan For
The main trips are your consultation (if you choose to come in), your pre-operative assessment, surgery day and your one-week check. Later reviews are shorter, and some can be done by phone if you live a long way away. As with flying, your own schedule may differ, so confirm it at consultation.
| Procedure | Follow-up appointments after surgery |
|---|---|
| Facelift | About 1 week with our nurse and wound care specialist. About 6 weeks, in clinic or by phone if you live at a considerable distance. About 6 months, in clinic or by phone. |
| Tummy tuck | About 1 week with our nurse and manual lymphatic massage specialist, then about 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. |
| Mummy makeover | About 1 week with our nurse and wound care specialist, about 6 weeks with your surgeon, and about 6 months with the nurse and wound care specialist. |
Getting to Us
We are at The Pantiles Hospital, 45-47 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TE (what3words: ///tags.cage.using).
By train. Southeastern runs from London Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells in about 50 to 60 minutes, every 15 to 30 minutes. You can also join at London Bridge or Waterloo East. From the station it is a 10 to 15 minute downhill walk to us, or about 5 minutes by taxi from the rank outside the station.
By car. Linden Park Road car park is closest, about a 1 to 2 minute walk. The Pantiles car park is about 4 minutes away, and the Old Coach Park is about 5 minutes away and suits longer stays. These are council car parks paid through the RingGo app.
By air. Licensed taxi and private-hire firms serve all London airports.
| Airport | By car | By train |
|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (nearest) | About 45 minutes | About 1 hour (change at Redhill or Tonbridge) |
| London Heathrow | About 1 hour 30 | About 2 hours via central London |
| London City | About 1 hour 15 | Via the DLR and central London |
Aftercare When You Live a Long Way Away
From your first call to your final follow-up, the same familiar team stays with you. You will have a courtesy call from us after you return home, and you can contact your patient coordinator or the clinic at any time. If you have a concern, we can arrange extra appointments. Your aftercare guide also gives you an emergency out-of-hours number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to come in before surgery?
Yes. Your first consultation is usually a secure video call, but you will meet your surgeon and our team in person before you have surgery. For a facelift, your pre-operative assessment takes place about two weeks before, with our team and your anaesthetist.
How long will I need to stay nearby after surgery?
It depends on your procedure and your surgeon. Most patients stay overnight, and where an overnight stay isn’t needed, you’ll still have a bedroom to recover in. You will then have a check-up with our nurse about a week after surgery. Your patient coordinator will help you plan your dates around that appointment and your flying timeline.
Who can I contact once I am home?
Your patient coordinator or the clinic on 01892 257357 for anything that is not urgent. Your aftercare guide also includes an emergency out-of-hours number for anything that worries you. We can arrange extra appointments whenever you need them.
Can I drive or take public transport home?
After a general anaesthetic, someone must accompany you home and stay with you for the first 48 hours. After a tummy tuck we recommend waiting until after the second week before you drive. Public transport is possible after a procedure under local anaesthetic, but we still recommend having someone with you.