Is it necessary to have a doctor's note when you have had a hip replacement surgury?

Question

i meant when you fly..do i need a doctor's note to explain this when i fly..i thought you just told the person on the security gate before i entered because i will set off the alarms..

Answer 1

Some people carry copies of their Xrays when they fly.  Hip implants show up nicely on xray.  I have no idea whether they set off the metal detectors or not.

Answer 2

No, it isn't.  In fact, it won't do you any good because TSA relies on it's own inspection, not some card or letter.  Anyone could forge such a document so they are basically meaningless.

I've had both hips replaced and I fly frequently.  I do have a card that the surgeon gave me that says that "this patient has had hip replacement" but no TSA employee has ever looked at it and I don't even carry it anymore.  What I do is tell the TSA agent that I "have metal hips" before I walk through the detector.  TSA relies on the walk-through scanners (which you will likely set off because of the metal in your body) and a subsequent inspection done by a same-s*x TSA employee with a hand-held scanner and a pat down.  It takes only a minute or so and I have always been treated courteously and with respect.  They wear surgical gloves and always offer to do the inspection in private (I always decline). A tip:  Because I am momentarily separated from my hand luggage that is going through the machine, I have my husband go through first and make sure he picks up my stuff while I am pulled aside.

Answer 3

if its for a Job and you've missed out for some time, Yes it is necessary to bring in a Doctors Note. If your applying for anything that asks about medical history or such, Then yea just bring in proof of what you did.

Hope this helps!