Disability Travel - Flying after hip surgery, Upgrade for Leg Room?

I'm flying to Belgium from Seattle shortly before April 29th for hip surgery and need to stay until at least May 10th. My total budget for flight is $1500, and I'm worried about leg room on the way back after surgery.

Coach looks like it's going to cost just under $600 (my dates are somewhat flexible, the surgery is on April 29), but business class is around $4000, which is way more than I can afford.

I don't have any miles to use for an upgrade, but I've heard that an upgrade can sometimes be purchased at the gate. Is this even remotely possibly? What airlines should I consider? Should I just suck it up and ask the docs for more pain medication for the ride home? This is my first flight to Europe, so I don't know what to expect.

I've always booked my own flights for travel in the states, but perhaps I should consider calling a travel agent this time? If you experienced travelers have any tips for flying more comfortably, I'd be happy to hear them! (Also, any info on Ghent would be welcomed).

I'm not a big fan of them, but United does usually have Economy Plus seats for sale. That means that you get 3-4 extra inches of leg room. You might be able to hunt around for a SWU in the coupon forum if you have something to trade. People might be sympathetic to your predicament.

BA has a premium economy class SEA-LHR that is similar to domestic F in terms of legroom, etc. You should be able to get a R/T for <$2k.

You could connect to BRU on BA, or you could take the train from London ro Brussels.

Are you talking about hip replacement?

... You might be able to hunt around for a SWU in the coupon forum ...
OP has 1 post.

I'm flying to Belgium from Seattle shortly before April 29th for hip surgery and need to stay until at least May 10th. My total budget for flight is $1500, and I'm worried about leg room on the way back after surgery.

...Should I just suck it up and ask the docs for more pain medication for the ride home? This is my first flight to Europe, so I don't know what to expect.

First of all, welcome to FlyerTalk.

You don't say what kind of surgery you're having (and you don't have to volunteer any information if you don't want) but if it's a hip replacement or something similar, there are other issues than just leg room and pain medication - you'll need to be careful about the height of any seating, about moving your hip too far, and about clots. All of these can make air travel, especially for long distances, very difficult. Please talk to your surgeon well in advance about your travel plans and options.

I had a hip replacement last year and even though I'm reasonably young, the surgeon didn't want me to travel for at least 10 weeks.

All the best.

"OP has 1 post."

Very good point.

I think RadioGirl has the best advice.

I'm not a big fan of them, but United does usually have Economy Plus seats for sale. That means that you get 3-4 extra inches of leg room.

Oh God, not United. I had a rather nasty blowout with them last year while flying domestically, and would rather gnaw off both legs and swim than give them any money at all. :)

But that gives me an idea...maybe some other airlines have similar deals. I think I'll call a couple directly and ask. Thanks so much for the advice.

I'm of the opinion that if this hasn't killed me yet, then an 18 hour flight post surgery sure ain't gonna get me. If I can't find some good way to get the airlines to sell me an upgrade for the amount of money I have, then I'll fly coach and be happy for the chance at all. I've been waiting on this for several years, and I am absolutely thrilled to be going. I'm going to manage a few days early and hope to bring pictures of Belgium back to show off here. Incidentally (not speaking of Belgium at all) I want them to videotape the surgery, but I *know* nobody but me wants to see that! (I can't help it; when else am I going to get a good look at my innards?)

RadioGirl and Airline_Brat, thanks for the welcomes. I am indeed going to have hip replacement surgery and flying will indeed be...interesting. The surgeon wants me to stay for ten days after the surgery before flying home. I'm also going it alone, so I'll need to prepare heavy bribes in advance for taxi-drivers, and porters, so I can get my luggage in and out of airports, cars and hotels.

The list of recovery concerns can be found at the Anca clinic's site: http://www.hip-clinic.com/en/hip-info/recovery.html

RadioGirl, do you mind if I message you to ask you a couple of questions about the recovery procedure?

tejolote, welcome to FlyerTalk! For added discussion, let me move this to our Disability Travel forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

[With mod hat off: My experienced surgeon (also a UA frequent traveller) requested I avoid flying for 4 weeks, and then only on a few short flights and in E+ until about 10 weeks. I was required to adhere to the hip precautions Radio Girl mentioned for 6 weeks. Recovery from hip replacement surgery can be easy and uneventful but I would be most cautious about long flights just 10 days out.]

Wirelessly posted (goingaway's phone: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.114 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I do not quite get the scenario where you have not been to europe but are now going there to have surgery that is already scheduled. I second and third RadioGirl's advice, there are some specific and good rules to follow after any procedure. As an additional note, the airline can refuse to transport you if they do not like your condition (far into pregnancy, look ill, drunk, etc)

[QUOTE=tejolote;11502970]

.....I'm of the opinion that if this hasn't killed me yet, then an 18 hour flight post surgery sure ain't gonna get me. ......[QUOTE]

Please ask your doctor here and your surgeon in Belgium if you will be cleared to fly. DVT and pulmonary embolism are very real concerns after surgery even without an 18 hour flight. Flying will greatly increase the possibility of both. You really don't want complications on a flight over the water with no possibility of a quick emergency landing. Death is a very real possibility with a PE.

You may also find that if you show up obviously post surgery the airline might want a physicians clearance for you to fly.

I'm flying to Belgium from Seattle shortly before April 29th for hip surgery and need to stay until at least May 10th. My total budget for flight is $1500, and I'm worried about leg room on the way back after surgery.

Coach looks like it's going to cost just under $600 (my dates are somewhat flexible, the surgery is on April 29), but business class is around $4000, which is way more than I can afford.

I don't have any miles to use for an upgrade, but I've heard that an upgrade can sometimes be purchased at the gate. Is this even remotely possibly? What airlines should I consider? Should I just suck it up and ask the docs for more pain medication for the ride home? This is my first flight to Europe, so I don't know what to expect.

I've always booked my own flights for travel in the states, but perhaps I should consider calling a travel agent this time? If you experienced travelers have any tips for flying more comfortably, I'd be happy to hear them! (Also, any info on Ghent would be welcomed).

Since this is your first trip to Europe trust those of us who do have experience flying to Europe. You'd beter check with the surgeon before buying those tickets. Plan to stay longer than the 10th of May for sure, maybe a 10th of June is better.

...My total budget for flight is $1500......I've heard that an upgrade can sometimes be purchased at the gate. Is this even remotely possibly?...

Welcome to FlyerTalk, tejolote

Please consider seriously the medical implications, as detailed by others on this thread, so soon after such surgery!

US has GoUpgrades (http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/intheair/envoyfirst/goupgrades.aspx) available for purchase at the gate (or 24 hours prior to first flight). Around the dates you mention, I'm seeing $677 all-in Economy roundtrip SEA-PHL-BRU. On the return, upgrades can be purchased if there's availability, the transAtlantic portion (GoEnvoy) for $500 (or Euro equivalent at BRU) and the domestic PHL-SEA for a maximum $250. Adding up $677 + $500 + $250 equals $1427, within your $1500 flight budget

While US business class ("Envoy") transAtlantic is mediocre compared to the competition, and US domestic First is nothing more than a larger seat with some amenities, it's comfortable and should be adequate for your post-surgery flights.

Thanks for the tip about US selling upgrades; I'll definitely give that a shot.

As to everyone else, this surgeon has done many surgeries on people who flew from the states. He speciliazes in difficult cases. We have been in continuted contact, and as long as nothing goes wrong I will be flying out ten days after surgery, with my surgeon's full approval. He already has my medical x-rays and records and blood work-ups from my specialists in the states (a note for the one above who didn't understand how this is happening.) I'm young, thirty-four, which should also help with recovery.

Quick Update: People are thinking my doctor doesn't know I'm I"m flying internationally. He does, and he has rules for when international patients can fly. I will be following those rules to the letter. As long as there are no complications during surgery, I am cleared to fly ten days after the surgery. You can see why I'm concerned about the experience being as comfortable as possible.

RadioGirl, do you mind if I message you to ask you a couple of questions about the recovery procedure?

Hi, tejolote, yes feel free to PM me with any questions. Note that I'm in Australia so there may be a time delay in my replies.

Quick Update: People are thinking my doctor doesn't know I'm I"m flying internationally. He does, and he has rules for when international patients can fly. I will be following those rules to the letter. As long as there are no complications during surgery, I am cleared to fly ten days after the surgery. You can see why I'm concerned about the experience being as comfortable as possible.


Mr. R works in the medical device field and where do they do their experimental procedures you may ask? Belgium, because the rules are much less strict than they are in the US. Perhaps this has something to do with your doctor giving a thumbs up to such a long flight after only ten days? Usually the recommendation is a minimum of four to six weeks.

I certainly wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recovery.

One suggestion I have to offer...
Either buy a fully refundable ticket (might not work into your budget), or buy travel insurance for this trip. I truly hope your surgery and recovery are as speedy as your doctor is advertising, but in the event of a complication that prevents you from travelling in the 10 days after either one of these options would be greatly beneficial to you. If you have a non-refundable ticket you are going to get hit with a change fee and possibly difference in air fare which could get costly.
Best of luck to you!
GW

I'm flying to Belgium from Seattle shortly before April 29th for hip surgery and need to stay until at least May 10th. My total budget for flight is $1500, and I'm worried about leg room on the way back after surgery.

Coach looks like it's going to cost just under $600 (my dates are somewhat flexible, the surgery is on April 29), but business class is around $4000, which is way more than I can afford.

I don't have any miles to use for an upgrade, but I've heard that an upgrade can sometimes be purchased at the gate. Is this even remotely possibly? What airlines should I consider? Should I just suck it up and ask the docs for more pain medication for the ride home? This is my first flight to Europe, so I don't know what to expect.

I've always booked my own flights for travel in the states, but perhaps I should consider calling a travel agent this time? If you experienced travelers have any tips for flying more comfortably, I'd be happy to hear them! (Also, any info on Ghent would be welcomed).

I have to echo what RadioGirl said. I've had 3 hip replacements (the left one was done twice) and I would never consider travelling by plane, even a short flight, less than two weeks post op. I wasn't even allowed to drive for 6 weeks no matter which leg was operated on. I was your age when I had my first one done.

Here's a couple of things to consider:

1) the real possibility of dislocating the prothesis. I dislocated my first replacement about a month after surgery. I fell in my apartment at 3:30AM. I was alone and had to crawl to the phone to call an ambulance. The pain is almost unbearable and if it happens in flight, there is nothing you can do but lie there. Dislocation can happen if you happen to hit turbulence and fall while on your way to the restroom.
2) You cannot raise your knees higher than your hips.
3) you cannot abduct (cross your legs) for any reason, ie: getting to your seat.
4) anesthesia related complications can happen for 4-6 weeks post op (that is why you can't drive). This can be diminished breathing, fainting, etc.
5) your immune system is compromised and your chance of catching something from another passenger is increased.

If you are still going to fly, I would use a travel agent. An aisle seat would be best, the side depending on which leg you are having surgery on. I always book an aisle seat on the right side of the plane since my left leg never healed as well as my right. They do reserve bulk head seating for the disabled but most airlines assign them first come, first serve.

Umm, what happened to the OP? Tejolote, are you there?

I read the website you pointed to with recovery precautions, and it's consistent with what I was told to do. As Harleycat as already pointed out, several of them are inconsistent with a Europe - Seattle journey:

"* During sitting, keep in mind that your knees have to be lower than your hips...
* Do not bend forward at a sharp angle. Maintain an angle of maximally 90°.
* During sitting, keep your legs somewhat outward.
* Be careful not to twist at the hip. When you turn, be sure to move your entire body around.

To counter swelling, elevate your feet higher than the heart level while you are lying down. Do this during your rest periods for 45 minutes to 1 hour, 2-3 times a day.

Do not sit longer than 30 minutes at a time. "

I would also be concerned about trying to move around the aircraft if there's turbulence, using the aircraft toilet during the flight, getting your carry-on luggage in/out of the overhead bin, etc.

Umm, what happened to the OP? Tejolote, are you there?

I read the website you pointed to with recovery precautions, and it's consistent with what I was told to do. As Harleycat as already pointed out, several of them are inconsistent with a Europe - Seattle journey:

I'm back now. Sorry about that guys. I was in the hospital here in Seattle for a few days (for mess unrelated to hips) and I am so glad to be back home. Why does the hospital feel so much like jail?

As for travel after surgery, you're absolutely right. It is totally non-optimal, and if I had a better choice, I would avoid it. I've been researching this for six years, and am communicating closely with my doctors here, as well as the one in Belgium.

The longer explanation is that I'm only 34, and my case is so advanced (I was uninsured while much of the degeneration was going on) that the orthopedic surgeons here in the U.S. will only do full replacement, rather than resurfacing. The surgeon in Belgium is experienced enough to do resurfacing in my case, which is far more to be preferred at my age.

And a blue ton of people from the U.S. have done this. Check out the surfacehippies website if you're curious about other folks' experiences. For a long time the surgery was not approved in the U.S., so even milder cases had to go abroad, and the guy in Belgium is the best (the 2nd best is in India, and even more people go there, because it half the cost of surgery in Belgium.) I know my chance of surgery complication is higher with a long flight: that's why my surgeon requires international patients to wait ten days before they can fly home. I think the payoff is worth the risk in this case.

I'll try to read and respond to other folks tomorrow. I'm really tired; the recent hospital stay has really taken it out of me. I appreciate all your comments and concerns very much.

I'm back now. Sorry about that guys. I was in the hospital here in Seattle for a few days (for mess unrelated to hips) and I am so glad to be back home. Why does the hospital feel so much like jail?

I'll try to read and respond to other folks tomorrow. I'm really tired; the recent hospital stay has really taken it out of me. I appreciate all your comments and concerns very much.

I hope this is not an indication of how you'll feel while flying after surgery. The airplane will be more of a jail than was the hospital, and a lot more tiring.

Good luck with your surgery and your travels. ^

I'm back now. Sorry about that guys. I was in the hospital here in Seattle for a few days (for mess unrelated to hips) and I am so glad to be back home. Why does the hospital feel so much like jail?

As for travel after surgery, you're absolutely right. It is totally non-optimal, and if I had a better choice, I would avoid it. I've been researching this for six years, and am communicating closely with my doctors here, as well as the one in Belgium.

The longer explanation is that I'm only 34, and my case is so advanced (I was uninsured while much of the degeneration was going on) that the orthopedic surgeons here in the U.S. will only do full replacement, rather than resurfacing. The surgeon in Belgium is experienced enough to do resurfacing in my case, which is far more to be preferred at my age.

And a blue ton of people from the U.S. have done this. Check out the surfacehippies website if you're curious about other folks' experiences. For a long time the surgery was not approved in the U.S., so even milder cases had to go abroad, and the guy in Belgium is the best (the 2nd best is in India, and even more people go there, because it half the cost of surgery in Belgium.) I know my chance of surgery complication is higher with a long flight: that's why my surgeon requires international patients to wait ten days before they can fly home. I think the payoff is worth the risk in this case.

I'll try to read and respond to other folks tomorrow. I'm really tired; the recent hospital stay has really taken it out of me. I appreciate all your comments and concerns very much.


A resurfacing is a different animal from a THR. While most of the same precautions exist, the chance of a dislocation with a resurfacing is greatly reduced.

Unfortunately for me, resurfacing was not around when I needed my first replacement in 1993 and not an option for my right hip in 2003 since my entire femoral head had collapsed. There was nothing to resurface and my right leg was several inches shorter than my left. When I had to have the left replaced again in 2007 it required a 13" incision in order to remove the old prothesis.

When I had that done there were several people in the hospital with me who had resurfacing done by my surgeon who were definitely getting around better than me. My surgeon is a joint reconstruction specialist at the Hospital for Joint Diseases (part of NYU).

A resurfacing is a different animal from a THR. While most of the same precautions exist, the chance of a dislocation with a resurfacing is greatly reduced.

Agreed, and I'm less worried about the OP now, but I would still be very careful. Some things that might help:
- Arrange wheelchair assistance through the airports. This can be a bit random (as you'll find by reading other threads here) but will help with the long distances.
- Have a very light carry-on bag so you don't have more stress walking and lifting than necessary.
- Try to be seated reasonably close to the toilets so you don't have to risk long walks down the aisle while in flight. This may not be easy if you don't have status on the airline in question. A travel agent may be able to negotiate something for you.
- If you fly from Ghent (or some intermediate point in Europe) to the US East Coast, then on to SEA, can you have a stopover for a night (or even two) so you can rest properly with your feet up?

I Have had both hips replaced over the last year, I don't think the plane ride will be the hard part I think it will be getting to and from the airport and to the gates, getting up, sitting down. Going to the restroom etc.