The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[bananawarrior]

I've tried searching it up- maybe I didn't look hard enough (probably) but I was just selected for this summer's 10 week PLC class and I'm wondering when the best time is to get my wisdom teeth out. I'm going on an Air Contract so I don't want to mess with the flight physical standards I'll have to pass in the future though my teeth have recently been causing me noticeably more pain than they did before. I'm probably overthinking this routine surgery but I'm wondering what other people's experiences are/were with this! Thanks.

 

[picklesuit]

What’s the down time for a chest tube?

 

[Brett327]

What’s the down time for a chest tube?

Horse?

 

[picklesuit]

Horse?

I’m actually asking for a friend, not myself. I don’t go to the flight doc.

 

[Brett327]

?

 

[TimeBomb]

Depends on why the tube was placed.
V/R

 

[picklesuit]

Pneumonia, draining fluid. What kind of down time would said friend be looking at with just the chest tube (once it’s pulled and person is healed up) and what would long term flight status be if said friend requires a lobectomy?

 

[Brett327]

Dude, you're a DH, you've already had your lobotomy. I presume this is how it's done...

 

[picklesuit]

Lobotomy and lobectomy are two different things...

That being said, hinge pins on her gold leaves at 2:41

 

[Brett327]

That's fucking brutal.

 

[picklesuit]

That's fucking brutal.

The surgery was pretty impressive too...

 

[TimeBomb]

I can't speak for NAMI, but I would consider this differently than a chest tube for pneumothorax. Assuming the pleural space wasn't infected, the pneumonia and pleural effusion should get better together. I'd wait until the chest x-ray and/or chest CT was normal before submitting the paperwork. That resolution may take a month or so, which would give the incision from the chest tube time to heal as well.

I never saw a waiver request for a lobectomy when I was at NAMI. I wouldn't be surprised if that went to a Special Board of Flight Surgeons if they would even consider a waiver. Again, the final disposition would probably depend a lot on why the lobectomy was needed. One huge obstacle in my opinion would be any concern about a potential weakness of the suture line when exposed to pressurized air like you'd get through a mask.

V/R

 

[picklesuit]

I can't speak for NAMI, but I would consider this differently than a chest tube for pneumothorax. Assuming the pleural space wasn't infected, the pneumonia and pleural effusion should get better together. I'd wait until the chest x-ray and/or chest CT was normal before submitting the paperwork. That resolution may take a month or so, which would give the incision from the chest tube time to heal as well.

I never saw a waiver request for a lobectomy when I was at NAMI. I wouldn't be surprised if that went to a Special Board of Flight Surgeons if they would even consider a waiver. Again, the final disposition would probably depend a lot on why the lobectomy was needed. One huge obstacle in my opinion would be any concern about a potential weakness of the suture line when exposed to pressurized air like you'd get through a mask.

V/R

Thanks TB!
Pickle

 

[Brett327]

I’m actually asking for a friend, not myself. I don’t go to the flight doc.

Does your "friend" go to the flight surgeon, because it sounds like he probably should. Also, when you say you don't go to the flight doc, what does that mean in a practical sense?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

42% better chance you’ll feel better if you just ask your recruiter.