I live alone in an apartment that requires two flights of stairs, and has no elevator access. My 70 year old mother is going to be helping me after surgery but I really don't want to put her in a situation of having to go up and down the stairs to run errands or worse helping me up those stairs after surgery. So my current plan is to go home from the hospital to my parents home that is about a 3 hour car ride away ( I feel like its worth mentioning this would be mostly on I-95 through the DC metro area). At their home I would have a bedroom and bathroom on the first level of the home and would not have to tackle stairs until I was ready, I would also be around my family for support, assistance and distraction.

My questions is for anyone who had to travel multiple hours in a car after surgery. Is it too ambitious to think I can do it on the day I am released from the hospital and should we get a hotel room for the night ( or more)? Anyone who did attempt a same day journey is there anything you can recommend to make it more comfortable etc.

I would recommend a night or two in the hotel near the hospital. You'll feel much better 3-4 days post-op for the trip, and if you did have trouble, you are still close to the hospital and help.

In fact, you may feel well enough to just go home at that point.

I live a little over 2 hours away from where my surgery was done. I stayed overnight and we went home the next morning. I slept most of the way and had no issues. I made sure to walk A LOT at the hospital, several times during the night, etc, so I did not have much pain after the surgery. I also put a pillow over my stomach and help pressure on it during the ride. Helps with the bumps.

Get one of those abdominal wraps (tight-to keep things from jiggling too much), and take a pain killer. The bumps are going to hurt, but bearable.

Stairs will be fine. The pain comes in when you have to bend, but sounds like you have a good plan.

Good luck!

I live in a tri-level and did stairs without issue. It was actually good to force me to move.

You should be able to take the car ride OK. If you take a pain killer before the ride, you'll probably sleep most of the time. Will the car seat recline partially? That may be ore comfortable than up right.

I went into the hospital for a sleeve, hernia repair and gallbadder removal on a Tuesday was released on Thursday. My drive home was only 45 minutes. The pillow was on my lap and the hospital bucket was on the pillow as I felt nauseated during the trip but I never got sick. If your not in the hospital overnight I would suggest you stay in a motel for at least that first night before trying to take the 3 hour trip to your parents. My Dr wanted someone to stay with me during the first 24 hours after I was released as I was still heavy medicated. I would not suggest you go back to your place. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

I had my surgery in Mexico on a Friday afternoon and was released Sunday morning. We had a 10 hour drive back to Denver and I was just fine. I moved the passenger seat all th way forward and reclined my back seat. It allowed me to sit comfortably in the back with my feet up. The ride was perfectly comfortable

A 3 hour drive will probably be too much right after release... I handled stairs 2 days post op no problem multiple times but every bump in the road made me sore... treat yourself to a hotel you will be comfortable and not stressed that's what you need to start your recovery