Traveling for surgery - need tips!

[lxpete80 11]

My surgeon is 8 hours away, so I'm flying down for my surgery. I plan on getting a nice hotel & recovering for about 4 days before I fly home. Our son has special needs & cannot travel which means my husband can't come with me and I'm going to be ALONE the entire time

Being optimistic, I assume if I get in a day early, stock the hotel w whatever I need & see if I can get my medication filled early I can have a cab take me from the hospital to the hotel. Then spend a few days recovering before I fly down, I thought this might be good because a.) driving 8 hours after stomach surgery doesn't sound fun and b.) if there's any complications I'm still in town to see the doctor.

Any ideas/suggestions/tips would be welcome

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

Do you have a sister or friend that could go with you? How long will you be in the hospital? I had my surgery on a Monday and was not released until Thursday. I had a couple of small complications that one can never plan for. You can' pick up anything more than 10 lbs after surgery. How will you manage getting to the airport with your luggage? Check with the hospital to see if they will let you be released to a taxi. My hospital would not, I had to have someone there to check me out. The first week is the most difficult and I hate to see you do this by yourself, as this is when you need someone. Good luck to you.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

My hospital does not release surgery patients to a cab. I agree with the previous post that you would best be served by having someone to advocate for you and look out for your best interests. This procedure is not a manicure. It is very serious life-changing major surgery with unpredictable variables. True also, that you will need someone to haul stuff around for you and catch you if you get woosey, since anesthetics and pain killers are involved. I would not wish it on anyone to go through this alone. I hope you can find someone to help you out.

[lxpete80 11]

The more I mull it over the more "going at this alone" not only sounds impossible but just a plain bad idea. I am lucky enough yo have a close aunt come down with me. I'll talk to my doctor on Monday to get his opinion, but I'm browsing hotels right now and wondering how many nights I should book? Do u think a 4 days to a week would be good before we drive home?

[Christian Zaccone 243]

U should be in the hospital 2-3 days correct?? Thats usually standard,,,

Chris/

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

The more I mull it over the more "going at this alone" not only sounds impossible but just a plain bad idea. I am lucky enough yo have a close aunt come down with me. I'll talk to my doctor on Monday to get his opinion, but I'm browsing hotels right now and wondering how many nights I should book? Do u think a 4 days to a week would be good before we drive home?

I feel the 8 hour drive will be a whole lot easier with your Aunt than flying alone. You don't know if you will be nauseous so that will be easier to deal with in the car. You can stop any time you need to where in a plane you are a bit stuck. Getting there the night before is wise and depending on how long you are kept in the hospital, a night or two at the hotel is a good idea. Some people feel just great after surgery but I suspect the majority of people felt like I did. I felt like I'd been hit by a Mac truck. I am happy to hear you are considering taking someone with you. It will be safer and you will need someone to do things for you in the hospital as well as help you walk after surgery. Wishing you the best of luck and a safe surgery.

[lynn2win 142]

Yes find someone to go with you....I have a simple procedures done and they would tell you need someone to pick you up...not sure where your going but find someone I am having my 70 y/o mom take me....I just told her to drive slow and we will get through it