This week I took a free flap course in KLS-Martin’s facility in Jacksonville, Florida, led by surgeon-guru Dr. Rui Fernandes. We concentrated on perforator flaps and nerve repair with great faculty and head and neck fellows from all over the country. It was a blast!

Unlike the course I had in New York a couple of weeks ago, this venue was too far for a train / bus ride, so flying was the only practical option. In previous issues, I reviewed my bus ride to New York and my train ride back to Boston and discussed their advantages over flying.

Originally, I planned on devoting this issue to my experience with domestic US flights, but then I changed my mind. I decided that most of my readers have enough airport and flight experience, so there will be no added value.

Instead, I decided to share my tips for air travel. I hope you will find something worth trying on your next flight.

Enjoy issue number 12!

Table of contents

1. Main Article - How I Fly

2. OMFS World

3. Stuff (Show, Gear)

“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few. ”  - Shunryu Suzuki

Main Article - Air Travel

🛫 Air travel has come a long way since the Wright brothers first took to the skies. It can be a convenient way to get around, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety for some people. One of the most significant advantages of air travel is that it is much faster than other methods of travel, such as driving or taking a train. However, the cost of a ticket can be prohibitive, and in cases where your plane is crowded and uncomfortable, your flight can turn into a nightmare.

🧐 Everyone has their routine for flying, including a sequence of actions, a particular way of packing luggage, and how to pass the time until reaching the destination. However, I noticed that many individuals are unfamiliar with specific facts that may save them time and money and reduce their stress levels. So I gathered the ones I found most beneficial, and here they are:

☀️ Minimize jetlag - If you travel through time zones and land during the day, don’t sleep before sunset! Remember that the function of our circadian clock is mainly dictated by light. So get out, breathe fresh air, and get some sunlight as soon as you land. To top it off, watch the sunset and immerse yourself in the orange-red colors that will re-calibrate your internal clock and make it easier to adjust to the new time zone.

🧳 Weigh your luggage at home - There’s nothing worse than being that person at the airport who has to rearrange their entire luggage because they underestimated the weight. To avoid this, always weigh your luggage at home before you head to the airport. I use a portable scale or my regular home scale. This way, I ensure everything is packed properly and within the weight limit.

💧 Drink plenty of water - Dehydration is a major contributor to the crappy feeling we have after flying. You should drink plenty, even if it means using the restrooms more often. Drink water regularly throughout the day leading up to your flight, and pack a water bottle. Those ridiculous tiny airplane bottles are not enough! Once you’re in the air, drink water often and avoid sugary beverages. If you want to treat yourself to a glass of wine, balance it with two cups of water.

🎥 Bring your own entertainment - One of the worst things about traveling is being stuck on a plane with nothing to do. Sure, you can read or get some work done, but sometimes you want to relax and watch a movie or listen to music. Some apps require an internet connection to work, but they also offer an offline option. All you need to do is prepare everything while on WiFi by hitting “download” next to your Netflix shows or favorite albums in your music app. Then make sure it was downloaded by putting your device into airplane mode and playing it. This way, you won’t have to rely on the airplane entertainment system or accidentally use your expensive internet package abroad.

📱 Download the airline app onto your phone - Airline apps will prompt you with all the necessary information. They will allow you to relax even when you’re far away from your gate and flight status screens. They will send you notifications if your gate has changed, when your flight starts boarding, and will let you know if your luggage has made it into the aircraft. 

🐣 Enjoy the benefits of traveling with little kids - some airports have expedited lines and priority boarding for families with babies and small children. It is especially true if you’re traveling with a stroller. Look for these signs at the airport, and ask at the beginning of every line. Having the opportunity to board before everyone else and having enough overhead storage for all your baby stuff can turn your flight into a bearable experience.

🎧 Finally - noise-canceling headphones are fabulous for flights! They tune out the airplane noise and reduce the sound made by other passengers. They will also allow you to listen to your music without cranking up the volume and damaging your hearing. Read about my noise-canceling headphone here.

George Clooney demonstrates airport efficiency:

OMFS World

👩‍🎓For the student - Speak up, answer questions your Professors ask in class, and don’t worry about embarrassing yourself because you made a mistake. Why? First, nobody cares. Second, you will become more competent and experienced faster than everyone else.

🥼For the OMFS resident - Establish a routine of exercising during residency. I know. You don’t have time, you’re always tired, and all you want to do in your (non-existent) spare time is to relax in front of the screen. However, exercise has many benefits: It reduces stress, improves mood, and increases concentration and energy levels. You will require less time to prepare for surgeries because your concentration will improve, and soon enough, you will start expecting it and enjoying it. To top it off, residents who establish an exercise routine are more likely to stick with it and reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle long after residency. As you grow older, it will become harder and harder to start. Just do it!

🩺For the non-MD medical professionals - Major depressive disorder is diagnosed if at least five of the following nine symptoms are present for at least two weeks: Sleep disturbance, loss of Interest, excessive Guilt, low Energy, impaired Concentration, Appetite disturbance, Psychomotor disturbance, and Suicidal ideation. Use the mnemonic SIGECAPS to remember them all. Patients prescribed medication for their major depressive disorder should continue taking it for six months to reduce the risk of relapse. In case of recurrence, the treatment may be administered for three years or indefinitely.

The three major fears that block action and create procrastination are the terror of being overwhelmed, the fear of failure, and the fear of not finishing. - Neil Fiore, The Now Habit

Stuff

📺 Show I watched - The movie Supersize Me documents Morgan Spurlock’s attempt to live off nothing but McDonald’s for an entire month and records the physical and psychological effects on himself. The film makes it clear that the responsibility for the obesity epidemic lies not only with individuals but also with the leaders and companies who profit from it. While “Supersize Me” may be an extreme example, it is nonetheless a powerful indictment of how we have allowed ourselves to be controlled by our appetites. 

💡Gear I use - Eneloop rechargeable batteries - I’ve been using them since 2016. They replaced almost all of my regular (non-rechargeable) batteries. On top of the environmental advantage of reducing battery waste, they will also save you money. I mostly use the white version and the regular (slower) Eneloop charger. For my ring-flash, I use the black pro version of batteries which allows me to shoot flash images every 1-2 seconds (it is essential in the operating room). I also use the 3-hour quick charger, so I never run out of flash power in the OR.

Epilogue

That’s it for this issue.

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Have a great weekend!

Shay