Question:
How long after WLS will I be able to travel?
I'm planning on having surgery in December or early January. I travel regularly on business (4-9 hr. flights) and I have some family events to attend as well. How long after surgery will it be ok to travel? What kind of concerns should I have? I'd love to hear from you all. Thank you. — vitoria (posted on November 28, 2004)
November 28, 2004
My mom had her surgery open and flew home within a week of having surgery.
It might be uncomfortable and depending on how you recover on how you feel.
I am 3wks post op and I am flying sometime this week. I have no concerns at
all. make sure you stay hydrated
— gardnily
November 28, 2004
Please check with your own surgeon regarding travel.... Mine, and most I
have heard of recommend you wait at least 6 weeks. Long flights increase
your chances of developing blood clots...keep moving while on board. Get
up and move around the cabin at least once an hour...keep your legs moving
while seated. And, yes, keep hydrated. Drink twice as much water on board
than you would on the ground. Good Luck...congrats on taking the step
towards a healthier life.
Peg
lap rny 4/9/03
311/154/-156 lbs
— Peg L
November 28, 2004
I did a crosscountry business trip with stops in DC and NYC (where I gave a
talk too) 5 weeks after lap DS surgery. I was tired, especially lugging
myself and my stuff (including heavy laptop) around the airports, but I did
OK. I got up and walked on the plane at least twice on each of the
crosscountry flights to prevent clots. But the best part? Down 30 lbs.,
and I DIDN'T NEED AN EXTENDER AND THE TRAY TABLE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN!! I
was SO happy about that! Even if I couldn't eat much of what was on that
tray!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 28, 2004
Vitoria,
I had my surgery in Spain - I live in Oregon. 2 weeks to the day from my
surgery (Open BPD/DS) I flew home. It went fine. In fact, it was more
comfortable flying home than it was flying there. There are a lot of
patients who travel to have surgery. Of course, consult with your PCP and
surgeon!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
November 28, 2004
It all depends on your surgeon. The bariatric surgeon that I went with, The
WISH Center has people come from all over the midwest (suburban Chicago) to
have surgery. So there are people that have to travel home 3-4 days after
the surgery. There was a girl that had hers the same day I did and she
lived 6 hours away by car. My doctor's office I know gives the patient
instructions to get out of the car every 1/2 hour to walk around for the
prevention of blood clots. Fourtunately, I was only 1/2 hour away from the
hospital so I got home and was able to get out and walk around in the
house. This is something that you NEED to talk with your surgeon about,
just do not use the information that other patients here are telling you.
We are not a medical doctor, only he/she can tell you what is medically
sound for you.
— ChristineB
November 28, 2004
PS PREVIOUS POSTER HERE I forgot to empasize the concern that you need to
keep in mind about blood clots. Sitting on an airplane or sitting in a car
for long periods of time can create a ticking time bomb. Should I say that
again for you? My husband when he was preop by about 2 years had a 3 hour
flight and developed a very serious blood clot. He ended up in the hospital
for 10 days then home in his easy chair for a month. Just keep in mind the
reporter David Blume, he died because of blood clot that he developed while
reporting on the war in the middle east and he was thin. To refresh your
mind he was sitting in a tank for hours without getting up to move around.
So, do not be in a hurry to travel fast again, take some time for yourself
to recover.
— ChristineB
November 29, 2004
Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my query!
— vitoria
November 29, 2004
You are welcome.
— ChristineB
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