Upcoming hysterectomy in October: Long distance surgery

I am going to have robotic surgery and I am not in good physical shape due to other health conditions. I am concerned about the impact the will have on my recovery. Also, I will be flying halfway across the country to have surgery and stay with friends. I am concerned about returning home and lifting my luggage with the weight restrictions that seem to last for a while. I have no one where I live to help me.

Hi Lmdp.1 to HysterSisters!

You need to discuss your situation with your doctor to see what are the restrictions. Traveling on an airplane soon after surgery carries risks. If you do have to have surgery that distant from your home, maybe you could ship your suitcase back to your house. You will not be able to do any lifting of more than 10 lbs for six weeks (a gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 lbs).

However, can you have your surgery in the same town you live? With some prior planning, you can recover from surgery while living alone. Can neighbors, coworkers, or a church group look in on you and help? You might surprise yourself how helpful people can be if you tell them what is going on. If you need someone to stay with you do to health issues, can your friend stay with you where you live?



Talk to your doctor, and make the right decision for you.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Lmdp.1 I am going to have robotic surgery and I am not in good physical shape due to other health conditions. I am concerned about the impact the will have on my recovery. Also, I will be flying halfway across the country to have surgery and stay with friends. I am concerned about returning home and lifting my luggage with the weight restrictions that seem to last for a while. I have no one where I live to help me.

How long will you be staying with your friends? If you're going to be there some weeks, you should be fine. If you were planning to fly back home a few days after surgery, you probably need a new plan.

The weight restrictions are for real. I was told nothing more than 10 lbs. I tried picking up my 13-lb cat when I got home from the hospital and my body screamed, "Put that down!" I had a pretty easy recovery and at could walk six miles a day at four weeks, so my weight restriction was raised to 30 lbs - but that's *only* because I was doing well.

Be aware that the lifting restriction is also a pulling and pushing restriction. Putting your luggage in a cart won't help.

Once you're home, you'll be fine. I live alone and it was no trouble at all. Before surgery, I scrubbed the apartment, did lots of laundry and stocked up on groceries, toiletries and household goods. After surgery all I did by way of housework was to prepare simple foods for myself and my cats, wash a few dishes at the sink and keep the litter box scooped. Otherwise I just relaxed, went for lots of short walks and sat out in the sun reading and sewing.

Hey there,

Usually you can get assistance from the airline. I would talk with the airline ahead of time to have things lined up - get a medical note if need be etc.