Trying to book flights and I keep going back and forth. The clinic's suggested schedule fits into 10 days on paper, but that assumes everything goes exactly to plan. Did people add spare days at the end in case a check-up gets moved or swelling is worse than expected? And did you pay for a flexible fare or just accept the risk? I'm in the US so it's a long way back if something comes up.
Always pad it. I'd take 2–3 spare days over a cheaper non-changeable fare. Ask the clinic directly: "what's the earliest you'd be comfortable with me flying, and what usually delays that?" Then book a fare where a change won't wreck you.
spreadsheet person here: I priced the flexible fare vs the cheap fare + one change fee. the difference was smaller than I expected. worth actually running the numbers instead of assuming
ok running the numbers tonight
If you can, pay a bit more for a direct flight home too. A long layover in a random airport while you're still swollen and tired sounds miserable, and it's one more thing that can get delayed.
Also check the hotel's cancellation terms in case you extend. Adding nights is usually easy, cutting them short often isn't.
Update: ran the numbers like @otter22 said. The flexible fare wasn't nearly as bad as I assumed, so I booked it and added 3 spare days at the end. Feels so much less stressful.