Post-Op Travel

[Rades69]

Good Evening All: I am flying into San Diego on Wednesday from Fort Lauderdale, and having my sleeve procedure with Dr. A. Ortiz on Thursday morning. I am concerned about the journey home. I am leaving San Diego on Monday Nov 4th. My flight pattern goes from San Diego to Vegas, then home to Fort Lauderdale. In total on the way home it us 7 hours on the plane. Can anybody give me any ideas, insights or your experience on the post-op flight? Going from 1 coast literally to the opposite coast is a long flight, however I know it will be worth it.

[SeaShell]

I flew home to to Minnesota after my surgery. I made sure I had an aisle seat so I could get up and walk a bit. It was non stop so only 3.5 hours in the air. I had no problems at all. Actually took a little nap! Spent the night at my my daughters apartment and then drove 3 hours home. Just take it it easy and and maybe take a pain pill before boarding just to make sure you are comfortable. Good luck!

[bucbratt]

Honestly, for me, I think it was a good thing to do. It's very easy to stay in bed and not move around. The longer you don't move, the more things hurt. When I had to travel all day, it made me realize I was able to do things. My biggest problem was not being able to eat anything on my trip. Pack some things to eat if you can!

[moni7744]

Wear compression socks and move your legs around as much as you can. If you can't walk around move then in your seat

[Rades69]

SeaSheel, I am originally from St. Cloud MN. Small world. The majority of my family still lives there and we have a cabin on Gull Lake which I spend 2 ful weeks at in the summer. Thanks for the info!!!!
Chris

[Rades69]

Bucbratt, What can I take on the plane that is not water based? I am worried about going 9 hours without anything (no matter how small my stomach is) Besides water, any suggestions?? I will have to buy it inside the airport as anything more than 3 oz, won't make it through security.
Chris

[Think]

You can buy apple juice (or grape juice) and then dilute it with water (full-strength was too strong for me) and it took some effort but I was able to buy a cup of broth-based soup and had the broth. I bought water and really had a tiny bit of the broth. I did pack a couple protein shots in my 3-1-1 bag but didn't use them. I was at the airport or flying a total of 11 hours and water and juice was fine. I was able to find the broth but could have saved my money as one of them was SO salty. You might be lucky enough to find some jello.

Just stay hydrated and keep your legs moving, flex/pump your ankles up and down 15-20 times an hour to keep your circulation going.

I took broth packets and crystal light packets with me and didn't use any of it. Best luck with your travels!!

[Rades69]

Thank you Think. I will do exactly what you have suggested. I appreciate the help!!!!!
Chris

[cowgirljane]

And don't lift heavy bags or carry on! Not sure what your surgeon recommends, but I recall 8 or 10# lifting limit and that is not much weight in the luggage realm.

My VSG was in the usa but i just had plastics in Mexico and had a long flight home after 11 days. It was a big deal due to the number of procedures I had, but i made it fine.

[paradoxgal]

Hey I just did this last night, I traveled home from Mexico to my house and I think I did pretty well. The only thing I did not anticipate was extreme turbulence and I did feel very nauseous. But they came around offering the beverages I got apple juice and I slowly drink it down but shortly after I finished I had to run to the bathroom. Not just to pee. (never ever ever trust a fart my friend). That was a big problem for me was running to the bathroom and the pilot had put on this fasten seatbelt light and I was supposed to stay in my seat. It was an aisle seat thank goodness. By the time I landed I was totally worn out. Then walking through the entire airport pulling my carry-on luggage wore me out as well, so it was good to get home. Before my flight I got Zico coconut water As I was waiting for my flight and it settled really well. There are lots of choices in the airport, such as smoothies, Soups, drinks, juices, naked juices or Bolthouse smoothies, etc. On the flight there is of course water, juices, even tomato juice. The night before I came home I was able to have a cream-based soup for dinner at the hotel in Tijuana. My body tolerated all very well! The only thing I did not anticipate was the stomach dropping feeling during extreme turbulence on the airplane. I'm sure other people experienced it and did not get affected by it, but for me I got motion sick very quickly. I got home last night and went straight to bed, so I never vomited think goodness. I have rested a lot and tried to drink my fluids and walk around a lot. Overall, now that the nausea is gone I am feeling great again.

[Cindola]

Chris you should be okay. I took my empty "Tervis" water bottle through security in San Deigo then bought a G2 Gatorade that I mixed with water on the way home last year. you could pick up 2 and ask for a bottle of water or two during your flights to sip, sip, sip. Wearing a pad of some kind would be good (I agree with "Never trust a fart"), and take frequent breaks to walk to the restroom. Also, during your layover walk, walk, walk!

[greenmomma]

A few years ago I had to fly very shortly after leg surgery due to a death in the family. My Doctor wrote a letter to the airline explaining the situation, which I gave to the flight attendant. Because of this, they permitted me to stand in the galley area to keep my legs moving to minimize the risk of blood clots. You may want to ask. These days the airlines want you in your seat. Good luck.

[bucbratt]

I couldn't find anything to buy because in San Diego, I was stuck in the commuter section...not the big airport. Then, in LAX, I ran from one plane to the next. One tip, I went up to the counter and told the lady I'd just had major surgery and asked if she had a better seat than what I had. She upgraded me to one of the seats that had 6 inches more legroom and on the aisle with nobody in the middle. I've known several people who work for the airlines and it NEVER hurts to ask. If they have availability, they will usually hook you up! Except in Atlanta...everyone is mad in the Atlanta airport!