An increasing number of Israelis are drawn to low-cost cosmetic procedure packages in countries such as Turkey, Thailand, and Eastern Europe—only to return with severe, sometimes life-threatening complications triggered by flying shortly after surgery.
AThree Israeli women have recently been hospitalized in serious condition at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam), following significant medical complications linked to air travel after undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad.
“We are treating three patients with severe complications following cosmetic surgeries performed abroad,” says Professor Assaf Zeltzer, director of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “These complications include infections, suture dehiscence, and tissue damage—some requiring repeated and prolonged surgical interventions.”
Many people are unaware of the risks associated with flying shortly after plastic surgery, stemming from unique airplane cabin conditions—namely low air pressure and reduced oxygen levels.
A new study conducted at Rambam and the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology—led by Dr. Yoav Pikkel of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Professor Zeltzer—found that exposure to flight conditions following aesthetic surgery can cause serious harm. They found that simulated flight conditions—characterized by low air pressure and reduced oxygen levels—can significantly impair blood supply to operated tissues. This disruption may compromise tissue survival and lead to necrosis, wound dehiscence, skin graft failure, and an increased risk of blood clots, ultimately hindering recovery.
“Patients often believe the risk ends once the surgery is complete,” explains Dr. Pikkel. “But in reality, the first few days after surgery are critical. During this time, the blood supply to the tissue is still unstable, and fluctuations in air pressure or oxygen levels—such as those experienced during a flight—can cause irreversible damage.”
Another study from Rambam, published in the scientific journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, analyzed data from 56 Israeli patients hospitalized over the past 12 years due to complications following cosmetic surgeries performed abroad. The majority (91%) were women, with an average age of 37. Most underwent liposuction and abdominoplasty, often combining two or more procedures during the same medical trip.
The study revealed that 59% of patients suffered from open sutures, 48% experienced serious infections, and approximately 20% required repeat surgery upon returning to Israel. In half of the cases where bacterial samples were collected, antibiotic-resistant strains were identified—posing a significant health risk to the medical teams providing care.
The researchers warn that even when surgery is successful, the return flight can pose a serious medical risk. “It’s important to remember that the body is in a highly sensitive state after surgery,” explains Professor Zeltzer. “Flying alters internal pressures, increases edema, delays healing, and may lead to blood clots in the legs or lungs—all of which are potentially life-threatening.”
These research findings will be presented at the upcoming annual conference of the Israeli Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. “Plastic surgery—even when performed for purely aesthetic reasons—is a medical procedure in every respect,” warns Professor Zeltzer. “Flying too soon after surgery, even a short flight, can be fatal. We urge patients to prioritize their health over financial savings—because no deal is worth risking your life.”
Based on an article that first appeared on the Maariv website.
