Surgery in 12 days still a few questions

After what seems like forever my surgery is just a few days away.
I will be driving to Dallas for my surgery....has anyone else traveled a large distance for their surgery.  Were there any percautions that you needed to take after the surgery for your drive home.  (my hubby will be doing all of the driving but I'm talking about things to do to make my trip for comfortable.)

Should we try to drive back home once I'm released or should we stay a night close by??

Any and all advise would be helpful~
thanks in advance~
mgf~

I didn't have to drive far, about 40 minutes but I was so grateful that I bought a pillow for the ride home.  Bumps in the road are uncomfortable, holding a pillow helped the shock.

You are traveling pretty far, I'm not sure how long your surgeon keeps you in the hospital post-op but I'd be apt to say you should probably stay close at least a couple of days as a precaution.

Best wishes on your surgery. 

Oh and I forgot to say......bring something very comfortable so nothing rubs on your incisions.  A free-flowing dress or really lose warm ups/stretch pants and a T-shirt or something similiar.

 Dana had very good suggestions, I think I would also make sure to have an ice chest so you can have plenty of water available.  It would also be a good idea to stop and get out to walk a little on the way home.  You don't want to be sitting in the car for the whole ride home.

Good luck

Kat

All good suggestion. Also get your pain medicine filled so you have it for the trip. Also I'm short and we used a kiddie stool so I didn't have to stretch to get up into my daughters SUV.Bring a couple extra pillows to the hospital I used them under each arm.   Good Luck!

Hi and good luck on your surgery....but my advice would be for you to stay somewhere for about two days...because immediatly after surgery I was in pain and had to sit up and lean forward because I felt as if I had something in my throat or as if something was just in the way in my stomach. My husband had to drive me back home for about 45 min or so and all the bumps and drive was the longest...my mom kept on asking me to sit back but I remember I was in soo much pain and was groggy that I didnt mind her...I also remember finally getting home and laying down and I had the same problem trying to find the right postion to sleep because of that feeling that something was in the way in my stomach. Ultimatly its up to you, but I had an awful time getting home after surgery and I dont think I had to travel as much as you have to..
Good Luck with everything and hope this helps


~Sylvia

I agree with Sylvia M.  Stay a few days after hospital release.  Is there anyway you can fly home?  How far is Abilene from Dallas?  If you all have a big vehicle (van with good shocks) then that might not be so bad.  You will be in a lot of pain (even at a week or 2 out) and bumping around will make things more uncomfortable.  I could not lay flat for at least 6 weeks out and slept in a big chair w/ottoman.  Good luck and speedy recovery.

MGF,

Dr. Barker has a patient that post on the Men's board from Crane, TX south of Midland.  I think that is a little bit further to Dallas than dear ol' Abilene.  (me looking back at my college days)

I drove from Atlanta, GA to Dallas for my 18 month check up and then had to stay to have my gall bladder out plus three job interviews.  I stayed at my mother's in house in E. TX for a few days before going to second interview west of Waco.  My poor little "rice rocket" (Toyota Corolla) was so glad to get back here.  GF was glad I came with it!

I was released about 24 hours after surgery and I didn't drive far, just home about 45 minutes and i sort of got car sick.  I held the pillow tight against my belly for support but couldn't get comfortable.  I got home and slept for about 8 hours.  By the next day I was shopping at walmart and Kroger and while I had to walk every hour or so, I could have done a long car trip on Day 3, but probably not the day after.  Good luck.

Thanks for all the helpful info~Now to just get thru the 1 week liquid diet.
Wish me luck~
mgf~