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Is Travelling By Flight Safe After Band Ligation Of The Esophageal Varices?
Question: Hi,
My father had esophageal varices banding 2 weeks ago. He suffers from cirrhosis with 30% - 40% live function. Is he allowed to take a long international flight (~15 hours)? Is there a risk to his health while flying?
Thank You
My father had esophageal varices banding 2 weeks ago. He suffers from cirrhosis with 30% - 40% live function. Is he allowed to take a long international flight (~15 hours)? Is there a risk to his health while flying?
Thank You
Brief Answer:
It is risky - take opinion of his treating Doctor too.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
Noted the history about your father and understood your concerns.
With the conditions and treatment you have explained, it is very tricky to say whether such a patient can have such a long international flight of about 15 hours.
Although the banding is done, there is no surety about deterioration of the condition, re-bleeding or have some signs or complications to show up.
Also important is the opinion of the Gastroenterologist who has actually done Endoscopy and procedure as he/she knows the exact condition.
Since the International flights are pressurized chambers, hence no such atmospheric problems but it is important to know whether his actual condition allows or not.
It will be definitely risky.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel; free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
It is risky - take opinion of his treating Doctor too.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
Noted the history about your father and understood your concerns.
With the conditions and treatment you have explained, it is very tricky to say whether such a patient can have such a long international flight of about 15 hours.
Although the banding is done, there is no surety about deterioration of the condition, re-bleeding or have some signs or complications to show up.
Also important is the opinion of the Gastroenterologist who has actually done Endoscopy and procedure as he/she knows the exact condition.
Since the International flights are pressurized chambers, hence no such atmospheric problems but it is important to know whether his actual condition allows or not.
It will be definitely risky.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel; free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. I apologize for not being clearer. Let me clear it better.
My father was diagnosed with cirrhosis 5 years ago and the Gastroenterologist who diagnosed it, told us that his liver is 30-40% functional. He also mentioned that we would need a transplant as it is the only solution to completely cure it. Since then, my father has been put on medications to prevent further damage to the liver, with strict diet and water intake control. we kept taking him for regular follow-ups and the doctor did bandings, if needed, continuously mentioning that the liver is stable. Its been 5 years and the liver is stable, but every ~2 years we go for his esophageal Varices banding. The last banding happened 2 weeks ago, and my father is resting and recovering now. They plan to travel in the first week of August.
Do you think he should not take the flight?
Thanks You
My father was diagnosed with cirrhosis 5 years ago and the Gastroenterologist who diagnosed it, told us that his liver is 30-40% functional. He also mentioned that we would need a transplant as it is the only solution to completely cure it. Since then, my father has been put on medications to prevent further damage to the liver, with strict diet and water intake control. we kept taking him for regular follow-ups and the doctor did bandings, if needed, continuously mentioning that the liver is stable. Its been 5 years and the liver is stable, but every ~2 years we go for his esophageal Varices banding. The last banding happened 2 weeks ago, and my father is resting and recovering now. They plan to travel in the first week of August.
Do you think he should not take the flight?
Thanks You
Brief Answer:
What is the condition at the moment?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for feedback.
If he is stable without any additional symptoms at the moment and if your Gastroenterologist says go-ahead, he can go to Canada.
15 hours is a long flight and also ask your Father whether he can tolerate such a long flight? His opinion is the most important of all.
Is he going for medical reasons/ transplant/ family visit?
What is the condition at the moment?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for feedback.
If he is stable without any additional symptoms at the moment and if your Gastroenterologist says go-ahead, he can go to Canada.
15 hours is a long flight and also ask your Father whether he can tolerate such a long flight? His opinion is the most important of all.
Is he going for medical reasons/ transplant/ family visit?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It is a family visit. I am a resident of Canada and he will be staying with me. My father saw the Gastroenterologist who is handling his case for 5 years, and he said go-ahead but to take care and be careful when in Canada. My parents came to New XXXXXXX to board the international flight but unfortunately, my father had Varices bleeding, so he had to get a banding done in New XXXXXXX with a new Gastroenterologist. Now the new doctor in XXXXXXX is a little reluctant in allowing my father to visit. So we are confused what to do at this point.
Thank You
Thank You
Brief Answer:
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
I can understand.
Exactly this is what I wanted to air. See he had variceal bleed in XXXXXXX
I am also bit reluctant for such a reason, if at all some emergency does come while in flight, it will be a big problem. This too is my apprehension in such cases.
I know this happens by chance but when this happens, it is an emergency.
One good point is banding done recently and a repeat Endoscopy and other tests can tell us the condition and if the varices are not present and other conditions are stable then only the chance to flight can be taken.
I hope you understand my point.
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
I can understand.
Exactly this is what I wanted to air. See he had variceal bleed in XXXXXXX
I am also bit reluctant for such a reason, if at all some emergency does come while in flight, it will be a big problem. This too is my apprehension in such cases.
I know this happens by chance but when this happens, it is an emergency.
One good point is banding done recently and a repeat Endoscopy and other tests can tell us the condition and if the varices are not present and other conditions are stable then only the chance to flight can be taken.
I hope you understand my point.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes I completely understand you point.
My father will be seeing the Gastroenterologist in XXXXXXX on 23rd to follow-up/endoscopy and for another set of banding on the upper part of the varices, as far as I remember.
To your question about my father's response, he is still looking forward to flying to Canada. He is still insistent that he can take the flight, but my mother has her reservations on this matter.
Thank You.
My father will be seeing the Gastroenterologist in XXXXXXX on 23rd to follow-up/endoscopy and for another set of banding on the upper part of the varices, as far as I remember.
To your question about my father's response, he is still looking forward to flying to Canada. He is still insistent that he can take the flight, but my mother has her reservations on this matter.
Thank You.
Brief Answer:
Wait at the moment - instinct of Mother are important.
Detailed Answer:
If your Father is needing another banding, hold on the travel at the moment.
Secondly go by the ''heart'' of Mother, that is instincts of Mother.
Wait till the matter settles well.
Wait at the moment - instinct of Mother are important.
Detailed Answer:
If your Father is needing another banding, hold on the travel at the moment.
Secondly go by the ''heart'' of Mother, that is instincts of Mother.
Wait till the matter settles well.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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