Five checks before you pack#

  1. Confirm your passport, visa, transit, and airline rules for your nationality and route. The U.S. State Department checklist says some destinations require six months of passport validity; it is not a universal rule.
  2. Confirm every medication is permitted at the destination and any customs transit point. The CDC medication guide recommends original labeled containers and enough medicine for delays.
  3. Keep essential medicines and needed medical items accessible in carry-on baggage. U.S. TSA rules allow medically necessary liquids with screening; other departure airports and airlines have their own rules.
  4. Agree on return-flight clearance, mobility, and blood-clot precautions with your surgical team. CDC travel guidance lists recent surgery as a risk factor and makes compression stockings an individual decision.
  5. Save local emergency and surgical-team contacts for both outbound and return travel.

Documents to Keep Accessible#

  • Passport: verify the validity rule for your nationality, destination, transit, and airline
  • Visa documentation (if required)
  • Flight confirmations (printed and digital)
  • Hotel/recovery housing confirmation
  • Surgeon contact information (office, emergency, WhatsApp if applicable)
  • Surgical confirmation and deposit receipts
  • Letters of support only if the surgeon, payer, or border authority actually requests them
  • Medical clearance or flight letter only if required for this trip
  • Travel insurance policy and contact numbers
  • Embassy contact information for your country
  • Emergency contacts list
  • Copy of prescriptions (generic names, not brand names)
  • Credit cards and cash in local currency

Backup: Keep a secure copy of essential travel documents in a trusted location; decide separately how to protect sensitive health records.

Medical Supplies (Pack by Access and Airline Rules)#

Wound Care#

  • Sterile gauze (enough for duration + extra)
  • Medical tape
  • Sealed sterile wound-care solution only if specified by the surgical team
  • Gentle, fragrance-free soap
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Disposable gloves

Medications to Bring#

  • Current prescriptions in original bottles with labels
  • Bowel medicine only if it is part of the prescribed plan and permitted at the destination
  • Anti-nausea medicine only if cleared by the treating team and permitted at the destination
  • Supplemental pain relievers only if cleared by the team and checked for interactions
  • Any regular medications for duration + extra days
  • Sleep aid only if cleared for your medicines and destination

Medication plan: Ask the team what will be prescribed, dispensed, or available locally. Do not assume a medicine can be bought after arrival. CDC advises checking destination medicine laws.

Procedure-Specific#

Vaginoplasty:

  • Dilators (surgeon may provide)
  • Surgical lubricant (several tubes)
  • Menstrual pads

Top Surgery:

  • Compression garment (surgeon may provide)

Comfort Items#

Clothing#

  • Loose, comfortable pants (4-5 pairs)—elastic waist, easy on/off
  • Button-front shirts or robes (4-5)
  • Soft underwear (7+ pairs)
  • Slip-on shoes
  • Lightweight jacket or cardigan
  • Comfortable sleepwear
  • One outfit for travel home (loose, comfortable)

Bedding/Comfort#

  • Travel pillow (inflatable or compressible)
  • Light blanket or large scarf (planes are cold)
  • Eye mask
  • Earplugs
  • Disposable bed pads (flat-pack, 10-20)

Entertainment#

  • Phone/tablet with downloaded content
  • E-reader with books loaded
  • Headphones
  • Chargers for all devices
  • Universal power adapter for destination country
  • Portable battery pack

Toiletries#

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Gentle body wipes (for when showering is difficult)
  • Lip balm
  • Moisturizer
  • Any personal care items you prefer from home
  • Absorbent pads if your surgical team expects drainage or spotting

Recovery Housing Supplies#

If staying in a hotel or rental rather than a dedicated recovery facility:

  • Thermometer
  • Small flashlight
  • Plastic bags (for wound care disposal, wet items)
  • Snacks (familiar foods from home)
  • Electrolyte packets
  • Instant oatmeal or easy breakfast items
  • Utensils if not provided

For Your Caregiver#

  • Their passport and travel documents
  • Their medications
  • Caregiver Quick Reference (Appendix D)
  • Small notebook and pen for tracking
  • Comfortable shoes for walking
  • Entertainment for waiting periods

Technology#

  • Phone with international plan or local SIM capability
  • Translation app downloaded for offline use
  • Maps downloaded for offline use
  • Surgeon's contact saved (including WhatsApp if they use it)
  • Local emergency numbers saved
  • Ride-hailing apps for destination (Grab, local Uber equivalent)

Financial Preparation#

  • Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
  • Debit card (notify bank of travel)
  • Cash in local currency (for small purchases, taxis, tips)
  • Backup payment method
  • Record of what's been paid vs. balance due

Pre-Departure Checklist#

1 Week Before#

  • Confirm all flights and accommodations
  • Confirm surgery date and arrival instructions with surgeon
  • Exchange currency or confirm ATM access
  • Notify bank and credit card companies of travel
  • Download offline maps and translation apps
  • Charge all devices

Day Before Flight#

  • Verify passport and documents are packed in carry-on
  • Confirm flight status
  • Set multiple alarms
  • Eat well, hydrate, rest

At the Airport#

  • Keep all medical documents accessible for security if needed
  • Stay hydrated during flight
  • Ask the surgical team about safe movement and travel-specific clot prevention
  • Use compression stockings only if the team recommends them for your risk and procedure

Country-Specific Notes#

These prompts are for checking the current local situation, not fixed entry or electrical rules. Recheck destination government guidance and your lodging before booking.

Thailand#

  • Ask lodging about its outlet type, voltage, water, and nearby pharmacy.
  • Check current entry and medicine rules for your passport and prescriptions.

Mexico#

  • Plan a safe drinking-water source; the CDC Mexico travel chapter warns against drinking tap water.
  • Check your lodging's outlets, transport, and nearest care option.

Germany#

  • Check entry, medicine, and lodging requirements for your nationality and route.
  • Confirm outlets and seasonal clothing with the lodging.

Spain#

  • Check entry, medicine, and lodging requirements for your nationality and route.
  • Confirm local pharmacy and transport hours near your recovery housing.

UK#

  • Check entry, medicine, and lodging requirements for your nationality and route.
  • Confirm outlets and accessible transport with the lodging.

Return Flight Preparation#

Confirm With Your Surgical Team Before Flying#

  • Individual clearance for the flight and a plan if recovery changes; CDC notes added risks from travel soon after surgery
  • Documentation of recent surgery (for mobility assistance, security)
  • Any special instructions for flying post-op
  • Emergency contact if complications arise mid-travel

Packing for Return#

  • All medications organized for flight
  • Compression garments only if prescribed; confirm fit and travel use with the team
  • Comfortable, loose clothing
  • Pillow for positioning
  • Documentation of surgery for customs if asked
  • Post-op care instructions accessible

At the Airport#

  • Request wheelchair assistance if needed (arrange in advance)
  • Request pre-boarding for extra time
  • Aisle seat recommended for mobility
  • Follow the team’s mobility plan; ask what movement is safe during the flight and get assistance when needed

Emergency Information Template#

Complete and keep accessible:

Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
Information Details
Surgeon name
Surgeon phone
Surgeon WhatsApp
Surgical facility
Facility address
Hotel/housing address
Hotel phone
Local emergency number
Embassy phone
Travel insurance phone
Emergency contact at home

Use the checklist in passes. Mark items that do not apply, then confirm medicines, travel documents, and the return plan close to departure.

References#

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Understanding your risk for blood clots with travel. https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/travel.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 18). Traveling abroad with medicine. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Mexico. CDC Yellow Book. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/americas-caribbean/mexico.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Medical tourism. CDC Yellow Book. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/health-care-abroad/medical-tourism.html

Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). TSA travel tips. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/factsheets/tsa-travel-tips

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). International travel checklist. https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/planning/checklist.html

Continue exploring#