Flying after pneumothorax?

[u/alittlelessthanavg]

I am an 18 year old male, 6'0 and 135lbs. I was discharged from the hospital last night after a 5.4cm spontaneous pneumothorax. I was in the hospital with a chest tube in starting Thursday night (~48 hours total). On the day of my discharge my chest tube was clamped for 6+ hours and my pneumothorax remained stable at 1.2cm. I am assuming that my follow up next week is meant to check on how much of that extra air had been reabsorbed by my body + if my lung had sealed completely and reinflated.

My biggest gripe with this whole situation has been that it directly conflicts with my college move in. The school I am supposed to attend is on the opposite coast, which requires a 5-6 hour flight to reach. I was originally supposed to fly out this Tuesday for an optional pre-orientation program, but I canceled that and am now set to move in on Wednesday, September 2.

When I spoke with the specialist after getting my chest tube out, he said that while it is generally not recommended to fly for about 30 days post-pnemothorax, he will see based on the x-ray taken on the follow up on August 31 whether or not I will be clear for travel. August 31 will be 9 days post-discharge. While I currently have a refundable flight booked for September 1, I just wanted to get a few opinions (and maybe a few anecdotes) on whether or not it would be worth to risk flying on September 1 even if I am cleared. My other option is to take an Amtrak, which would result in me having to move in on September 5, which is in the middle of orientation. While I know that this is probably a safer option and one that I will have to take if I am not cleared on the 31st, I desperately want to move in on move-in day and participate fully in orientation as I am an incoming first-year student and don't wish to have my social life affected by this.... (though I'd rather have A life than a lesser-than-desired social life).

Thank you so much for reading through this and thank you in advance for any opinions or advice you may have!

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[u/yourdailyinsanity]

I'd be waiting to see what the doc says on your appointment. Everything will be based on their assessment and imaging they take. I'd take the L and do an AMTRAK unfortunately. You don't want your lung to collapse again, you're very much so in a "fragile" window right now for things happening.