My surgery is scheduled for October 10th. My husband is set to deploy to Afghanistan on October 21st from Williamsburg VA and we lived in Pennsylvania. My daughter and I were supposed to go down to see him one last time and Flying isn’t an option, so I’m wondering if anyone made a long drive post op?

It’s a 6 hour drive. If I wear compression socks, stop once every hour to get out of the car and walk and rotate my ankles and roll my feet as we drive, I’m hoping blood clots won’t be an issue.

Again, I’m just wondering if anyone else traveled a far distance post op and if so, what was your experience.

Would it be possible to postpone surgery until after the deployment?

It is *possible* (but highly unpredictable as you will have no clue what state you'll be in post op)

I've taken long rides immediately after surgery but they NEEDED to be broken into segments to prevent the development of blood clots.

Also, I was absolutely exhausted and i wasn't even driving. Public bathroom breaks were fraught with peril.

If you must: carry your protein drinks with you chilled along with meds, vitamins, water etc... Try to make them a priority especially hydration.

Good Luck ? and thank him, for us, for his service

Edited October 3, 20196 yr by GreenTealael

it's kind of hard to tell how you'll feel. I was pretty much OK by 11 days out, just very tired. I could drive by then, but i don't think I could have driven for six hours. If someone else drives, and you make frequent stops, you might be fine. But again, it's kind of hard to tell - most people have a fairly easy recovery, but not everyone.

I did a 7 1/2 hour drive at 3 weeks post op. I was fine to drive or sit as a passenger... but I was tired for other activities. Pack protein shakes and water. Stop and stretch as needed. We didn't need to stop too many times.

Thank you all! I did forget to mention that my mom will be going with, however I’ll need to drive my husbands car home from Williamsburg (I’m currently searching for a second family member to come with but if not, then I’ll be the one who has to do it)

Thank you all! I did forget to mention that my mom will be going with, however I’ll need to drive my husbands car home from Williamsburg (I’m currently searching for a second family member to come with but if not, then I’ll be the one who has to do it)

Worst case scenario? Get a hotel somewhere in the middle if you get too tired from driving.

Follow your doctor's advice. Blood clots are not anything to mess with or to risk.

I don’t think it is advisable for you to drive that far that soon post op. Have you checked with your insurance company that you would be covered.

Absolutely check with your doc. I asked mine about travelling 4 hours by car for a 2 night stay that was 10 days post op. At first he hesitated but when I told him it was to celebrate my daughters engagement he said ok just stop every hour or so and walk around. We made one stop going and one on the way back as I was sure to walk plenty before and after the ride as well as the stop. I packed my cooler for the weekend with my shakes, yogurt and water, I thankfully had no problems. Be well, good luck to you and thank your husband for his service.

First GL with the surgery. I had mine done 2 weeks before my hubby came home from being deployed so I can feel ya on deployment. As for a long drive be careful! About 3 weeks after my surgery we had to make a 6 hour drive for my daughters gymnastics meet. The way there, I was golden. On the way home, had my hubby not been with us to drive we would have had to stay a few nights. I suddenly got sick the day of her meet a reaction to a medicine they had put me on. We had to stop often and I was living on zofran.

Make sure you have plenty of protein and water. In addition to my protein drinks I also brought dannon light and fit yogurt drink. It "filled" me up more than just a reg protein shake, so I use them as snacks.

Someone mentioned maybe postponing surgery till after the deployment, I am going to say, while the trip to Williamsburg could be hard, if you have your mom with you then really I think you will be just fine. My mom was supposed to stay with me for a week after my surgery- after my pain got under control I sent her home within 4 days of me being home. As a milso you probably know that whole "I can take care of myself" thing LOL