travel

I should have added that I am having a rectocele with my tvh on Dec 6. I am wodering about flying from LA to Kansas City 2 weeks after.

Had to reply when I saw you were going to be traveling to my home town! First off, don't carry your own luggage! That will be too soon to drag/push/pull/lug baggage around. Make sure you have someone to help you both places. Keep any pain meds on you, in case you (god forbid) get separated from your luggage. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight. If you have a layover, you may want to walk around a bit to get the circulation moving again, stretch the muscles, etc.

Have fun in KC!

~~~ Katie Rose ~~~

OmahaKitty advice is great, but I have to add that you really should clear it with your doc before you make your reservations. I don't know how long the flight is, but you will definetly have to move around for circulation, as there is always a concern about blood clots so soon after surgery (they can form several weeks after surgery). Don't mean to scare you - just inform you.

If you are cleared to go - I wish you a wonderful trip and enjoy your holidays pampering yourself.

Melissa

I know I would have had to pass on the travel that soon post op. If you are cleared to go, and the airline allows it, please listen to your body and decide on that basis if you should go ahead. Keep in mind how long a day flying is with the rides to and from the airport and all the inevitable waiting that goes on. All that standing and all that sitting * with the repair * was hard for me much later when I flew to DS wedding in San Diego from Austin, Texas. If you have doubts, don't go. Just the ride, 15-20 miles round trip, across town to hematologist appts was enough to make me long for the couch. Not trying to discourage, just don't want you to overdo and be miserable (as I would have been.)

I had planned a vacation to see college age daughter at six weeks post op. I did my usual procrastination (there were some other family issues that needed resolving) and did not go until eight weeks. I was one hundred times better able to travel at eight weeks than six weeks.

What I noticed.. I Had a three hour flight and then a one hour flight. Three hours plus waiting time was the far end of acceptable and those seats are shrinking each time i fly. this time i had a lady who "rested" the whole time in my lap from reclining her seat in front of me( I was unable to even put my tray down for the drink. There was some turbulence so moving around was less of an option and nearly impossible with a window seat.

My suitcase had the barebones and weighed twenty two pounds which was about twenty pounds too much> I had help and checked the baggage but there was still the lugging it off the carousel, onto the shuttle, off the shuttle and into the rental car when no help was available. Ouch!

My tote bag weighed eight pounds *including two bottles of frozen water< take what you need *It had all the meds inside as well *(one leg was so bumpy we never got beverage service> I wish i had packed nuts or granola bars as well.

What I did not expect was the race from one end of the airport to the other> I had one hour and after deplaning got to race walk (with tote) from gate A33 to B 12 which ended up being nearly a mile not including the train ride. that would have been a good leisurely walk but not at marathon pace( they were loading when i ran to the bathroom )

I was pretty much up to speed for the dinners and the shopping And found other people willing to sit down for a drink or snack mid trip. I also had a separate room for the middle of the night awakenings

good luck
I would have an escort flying or have your ticket flagged as needing assistance and have the luggage cared for and the wheelchair or cart to take you to the next place. two weeks is really early to be taking such a long trip
(oh the week i came back I napped every day)

make good choices, can you postpone this trip to when you are better able to enjoy it??

xo
betsy