When to arrive
Plan to land 2–3 days before surgery. That leaves time for your in-person pre-op exam (required by Florida law the day before a BBL at the latest), lab draws, and filling prescriptions. Some practices require you to arrive by a set time the day before your first pre-op appointment — ask.
How long to stay
Ask your surgeon for a specific minimum. As a general planning range:
| Procedure | Commonly advised stay after surgery |
|---|---|
| Liposuction (single area), breast augmentation | About 5–7 days |
| BBL, lipo 360 | About 7–14 days |
| Tummy tuck, mommy makeover, combined procedures | About 10–14 days |
| Facelift, rhinoplasty | About 7–10 days (until stitches/splint removed) |
Book a refundable or changeable return flight. Patients often report needing to stay longer for a seroma check or drain removal.
Airports & getting around
- MIA (Miami International) is closest to most Miami-Dade practices. FLL (Fort Lauderdale) is often cheaper but adds 30–60 minutes each way in traffic.
- Check which airports your recovery house's included rides cover — some serve MIA only.
- After surgery you must have a responsible adult driver. Surgery centers will not discharge you to a solo rideshare.
- BBL patients: ask your transport about lying face-down or kneeling in the back seat, or sitting on a BBL pillow.
Post-op transportation in the directory →
Flying home safely
Surgery, long anesthesia and hours of sitting on a plane all raise the risk of blood clots (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. To lower it:
- Get your surgeon's written clearance to fly.
- Choose an aisle seat. Walk every hour and flex your ankles while seated.
- Drink water; skip alcohol.
- Wear compression socks and your faja if your surgeon advises.
- Take any prescribed blood thinner exactly as directed.
- Carry your medication list, garments and a copy of your operative note.
for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, or one swollen, painful calf — during or after the trip. See warning signs.
Follow-up at home
- Ask your surgeon before you leave: who handles follow-ups, seromas or wound problems once you're home?
- Find a local urgent care and ER near home before you travel.
- Some local doctors are hesitant to manage another surgeon's complications — having your operative note and surgeon's contact helps.
Traveling alone: build your support plan
Before booking flights, ask your surgical team what discharge escort, supervision and local follow-up they require for your procedure. Do not assume a rideshare driver can serve as your discharge companion.
- Discharge: name the person collecting you, their phone number and the clinic’s acceptance of the arrangement.
- Care coverage: write down who will stay with you, shift start/end times and any gaps. Agree on help with meals, bathroom trips, dressing and the tasks in your discharge instructions.
- Follow-up: confirm appointment dates, transport and the number to call with questions after hours.
- Backup: identify a replacement caregiver, alternate ride and accommodation if plans change.
- Returning home: get your surgeon’s individual travel-clearance plan; price a changed flight and extra nights in advance.
Printable caregiver and travel worksheet
Keep your completed copy private. This worksheet is not submitted to the site.
- Clinic and after-hours number
- ________________________________________________
- Discharge escort and backup
- ________________________________________________
- Caregiver / clinician, role and coverage hours
- ________________________________________________
- Meals, laundry and daily-assistance arrangements
- ________________________________________________
- Follow-up appointments and rides
- ________________________________________________
- Emergency contact and accommodation address
- ________________________________________________
- Return-travel clearance and extension plan
- ________________________________________________
Budget for the whole trip · Compare care options · Warning signs and emergency help