Choosing a surgeon is only half the plan. When you're traveling, where and how you recover can make the difference between a stressful week and a smooth one.
1. Plan your stay before you book flights
Ask your surgeon how long you should stay in the area after your procedure. Many patients stay close by for at least the first week, since that's when follow-up visits, swelling, and early aftercare matter most. Your surgeon will also tell you when it's safe to fly home.
2. Book your aftercare before you arrive
Post-op lymphatic drainage often starts within the first week, once your surgeon approves. If you're only in town for a short time, you don't want to be searching for appointments while you're sore. Book your sessions as soon as you know your surgery date, so a recovery schedule is ready when you land.
3. Choose where you'll recover
A hotel room can feel isolating when you can barely get out of bed. Look for a place with:
- An elevator or ground-floor room
- A comfortable bed and a seating area
- Easy access to food and help when you need it
- A short drive to your surgeon's office
Our Post-Op Resort Stay at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions was designed for exactly this. It includes help with bathing and dressing, wound care support, vital sign monitoring, medication administration, three meals a day, and a recovery massage every day. Your family gets waterpark passes and a food voucher, so they can enjoy the resort while you rest. Packages start at $1,800.
4. Arrange transportation
You won't be able to drive after surgery. Plan rides from the airport, to your surgery, and back to where you're staying. Resort Stay guests get complimentary transportation from surgery centers within 50 miles.
5. Pack for comfort
- Your faja and any boards or foams your surgeon recommends
- Loose, zip-front or button-front clothing that's easy to get into
- Slip-on shoes, since bending over will be hard
- A BBL pillow, if you're having a BBL
- Absorbent pads to protect bedding from drainage
- A list of your medications and your surgeon's contact information
- Water bottle, easy snacks, and phone charger with a long cord
6. Plan for the trip home
Sitting for long periods after surgery raises the risk of blood clots. Follow your surgeon's guidance for travel, which may include compression, staying hydrated, and getting up to walk when you can. Before you leave, ask your surgeon how to continue your aftercare at home.
We're here to help
We serve surgical patients traveling to Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Bee Cave, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Tell us your surgery date and we'll help you plan your aftercare and recovery stay.
Post-op recovery, sculpting, and lymphatic specialists
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for travel and recovery.
