when can i travel??

I have a g/f who wants to go to Vegas........I want to go tooo but it will be 5-6 weeks post op....any hints suggestions.........i live 3 hours by plane away and in Canada......Has anyone else travelled then???
Thanks, Kat

Hey Kittykat!

I have a trip planned at the end of the month from Oregon to Arizona (and airfare is already purchased). I will (barely) be 6 weeks post op.

I, too, would be interested in any special travel tips anyone might have who has traveled that soon after surgery. :fly:

I could have traveled at 5 or 6 wks. I had actually discussed this with my Dr and he was fine with it. Things did nt work out for my travel plans, but as long as I took it easy (lots of walking involved with a trip to Vegas!!) I have no doubt I would have been fine.

I don't think I would have been able to travel at 5-6 weeks for any great distance. I was still resting and being a good princess at this point. I hadn't been released by my doctor yet to resume activity. Traveling involves many things. Hurrying, standing, carrying suitcases (something I found was painful at 4 months and still uncomfortable at 7 1/2 months), no where really comfy to rest. Once you get where you are going, Las Vegas is walk, walk, walk, walk. I was just there in October and just to get out of the hotel, you have to cross through the casino. Please, ask your doctor's about this. It will depend on how much repair has to be done. You will be surprised how tired you will still get at 5-6 weeks post op. And swelly belly and soreness in your tummy.

I traveled at 5 weeks...........well actually my 6th week depending on how you look at it. We flew from Orlando to Dallas where we got a rental car and drove to Athens, Texas where my dh participated in a fishing tournament. I do volunteer work at the tournaments and I did my usual stuff, but when I needed to sit, I sat. I didn't lift anything (including luggage) and all the other gals at the tournament knew about my surgery and kept an eagle eye on me, they wouldn't let me lift anything heavier than a pencil. I did this trip with my doc's ok. Is your girlfriend going to be ok if you tell her you need to go up to your room and rest? Will she be willing to go to a casino or whatever for a while by herself if you feel the need to lie down for a while? If you decide the walking is too much, would you consider the possibility of renting or borrowing a wheelchair and would she be willing to push you around? You may not need to do any of those things but it's good to keep your possibilities open. I had an easy recovery (I was a very good princess my first five weeks post-op..........knowing I had that trip coming up..........well except for when I did some yard work at 4 weeks post but I DO NOT RECOMMEND that to anyone, I paid for it by being very sore and achy for a few days and learned my lesson). Everybody recovers differently. I didn't have any complications after my surgery........if you make the plans to go, and complications arise, can you change your plans to another date? I had no problems making that trip, but complications can arise............you need to consider all the possibilities..........and check with your doctor!
Ann -- TAH/BSO 1/5/01

when i saw my doctors for my check-up i asked about traveling by car. his reply was at four weeks i could ride in the motorhome if i stopped every hour and stretched to make sure i did not get blood clots. oh, and no longer than 3 to 4 hour trip. we are leaving wednesday for some where on lake michigan. i also asked about going to new jersey where my DS lives, in mid-october- the doctor said yes and take breakes often--- again, does not want me to get blood clots.
i hope this helps someone.................janice72

I went on a cruise to the Bahama's 4 weeks post. We flew from Missouri to Florida, 1 transfer each way. Didn't have any problems, except not being able to drink or swim (***** on a cruise). My only suggestion would be to pay a porter to lug your suitcases as much as possible.

hey my dr told me I could have a drink or 2.........whats this no drinking??????
Kat

Hey Kat...I had ended up with an infection in my cuff and doc put me on 2 antibiotics that as she explained "would make me deathly ill if I mixed with alchohol". Of course, I didn't believe her so I tried the 1st night on the boat, drank 2 beers. Ended up in the cabin the rest of the evening.

I traveled by car (6 hours each way) to a beach vacation three weeks after my surgery (TAH) and I did fine. I am now six weeks post op and I wouldn't have any problems traveling by plane right now. Just be sure that you do not have to lift or carry any luggage. Good luck.

Lynn