we are officially 12 plus hours post-op. Hopefully globetrotter will get the green light on Thursday to be discharged. What should I, the "caregiver" know or what should i not do? we will be on the road 3 hours to our destination. Im a little nervous.

Just take it easy. I had my surgery done yesterday as well around 9:15am. The most discomfort I have felt is the air in the cavity. That has pretty much disapated but now it's finding a comfortable laying position. If you have a long drive and have pain medicine you might want to take it. It really depends on your pain tolerance. You will do great and I wish you all the best.

Congrats,she needs lots of support, fluids, a pillow for splinting the abdomen for the long car ride. Make sure pain meds are taken prior to leaving and you should be ok. This is a great sacrfice for the patient as well as the family so just remember whatever her reasons for surgery this is life changing and requires time to get use to for all involved. May god bless you guys and a smooth speedy recovery.

Fluids, rest, stop every hour to let her walk around the vehicle to prevent blood clots. Have her stretched her legs, and twist her ankles around while in the vehicle.

See if the hospital will allow her to take her compression stockings home with her to wear on the car ride, and when she sleeps. It helps tremendously.

Tell her that I'm glad she is doing well, and we've all scooted over for her on the loser's bench.

Do: Make sure she drinks. Make sure she walks, make sure she is urinating, make sure she sticks to the post-op diet, make sure you don't become the food/water police but be stern. If she says something is wrong, believe her. I took my temp every few hours just to make sure all was well.

Don't: think anything is trivial, if it's something enough for her to be concerned or something doesn't sound "right' call the surgeon, do not hesitate. sleep when she sleeps, help her up and down out of bed, internal incisional pain is the most discomfort I experienced when trying to get out of bed.

Cheers to Globetrotter, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.