When will I be able to travel

To all of my sisters, rincess:
I am sooooooo grateful for this site that one Dr told me about. I am one week out today. I have told friends and family that within a couple of weeks I will be good to travel, as today was supposed to be the day we left to drive to FL. When I found out that I had to have surgery, TAH/BSO 2/13/03 we put off the trip to maybe 3/4/03, Anyone out there that knows what I believe, that I will be up to making the trip from MA to FL on a 3-4 day drive at about 8 hrs/day with frequent rest and stretch stops? I am getting the impression form some of the message boards that it truely takes at least 6 weeks to recover. The plan is for rest and relaxation at our condo in FL. Want to stay for about 4 weeks, then it will be back to work.
I am open to all opinions and first hand experiences. Thanks
Scarlet

We all heal at different rates, but I can tell you from my own experience there is no way on earth that I could have made a 3 to 4 day, eight hour a day trip at less than 3 weeks post-op!! At three weeks post-op, I was doing well to make a 2 block trip with my Mom driving to my favorite restaurant. And I was in pretty good shape pre-op and had a textbook recovery, according to my doctor. I probably could have done it at 6 or 7 weeks, but not 3.

The problem is sitting for that length of time is extremely hard on your internal healing. Plus there is a greater risk of blood clots in the legs after surgery, especially when sitting for long periods of time.

You're right, it really, truly does take 6 to 8 weeks for initial healing, with complete recovery taking anywhere from 6 months to a year. Please don't push yourself too much. You only get one chance to heal properly. You don't want to do anything to jeopardize your recovery.

Please check with your doctor about this and see what s/he says.

Best wishes and s,

Lisa

Scarlett,

I could have made a one-day trip at that point, but 3-4 days? I don't think that's a great idea. If you weren't driving, and the doctor said "OK" I'm sure you would survive.

How about getting a one-way plane ticket and flying down and meeting your family? By the time of the return trip, you would be in much better shape for the trip and might even be able to help with the driving.

Dorrie

I am 4 weeks post and my dr. almost didnt want to say yes to a 21/2 hr drive so I can spend a week recuperating with my daughter.I have to stop at least twice and walk around and pee .I will not be driving so may even lay down in the back of the van. Hope you have an easy recovery. Cindy

Oh sister, I would hate to see you push yourself that hard so quickly. As the other sisters have said, you only get one chance for a speedy recovery. A 3-4 day 8 hr a day drive is taxing on a healthy person, let alone someone recovering as you are. Please talk with your Doctor about this and take it easy. Maybe a plane ride would be a good substitution? Ask the Doc.

I did a 3-hour ride 3 weeks post-op....let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. Seatbelt, staying in the same position, I wouldn't do it again!


Beth Ann

I just got back from a 2 week vacation to FL and I'm 6 weeks post op.

At 4 weeks post op, I flew one way to FL and drove back with my DH. I recommend flying one way at least to get down to FL initially. Also, ask for assistance with the airline and have a wheelchair there if you have to change planes which I did. You won't be able to walk the long distances between gates and terminals. The best thing is to get a direct flight if you can. You can also request assistance to get you to your departure gate. You will probably be o.k. to ride home in the car. I made sure I had the seat tilted back so I wasn't sitting upright. That helped a lot.

Good Luck and have a safe trip to FL and believe me recuperating in the sun is a lot more fun than the snow and cold! We came home to 2 feet of snow in our driveway!