Flying on airplane

Can anyone offer what travel restrictions, if any, the doctor gave for right after DS?  Family and I have a nice beach trip planned for Turks and Caicos at end of year and I hope we can go.  I called university of chicago where my doctor is at late Friday and left a message with nurse, but I'm curious what everyone else was told.

I traveled from MI to CA for my revision. My surgeon would not let me fly home for at least 10 days after the surgery.

How soon is your trip planned after your surgery? Honestly if it is immediately after, like within the first 8 weeks or so, you may not be up to a "vacation" yet. All your energy will be on healing and getting use to your new system.

SH

I wouldn't recommend any vacation within 2 months of surgery if you plan to actually enjoy any kind of activity.  I was extremely listless the first six weeks post op, and after that, I was pretty good, but didn't really push myself too much aside from regular work activities as a corporate trainer, which was active enough. That was just my level of energy, and you also want to consider your bathroom routine trying to establish along with figuring out what to eat as a new post op.  

If your vacation is planned close to your surgery date, I recommend you postpone your surgery until after you return.  That way you can get the best of both experiences.

4 to 6 weeks out.  It is a relaxing lay around trip.  It is my only real break from work and calls from my office.  I will have to think this thru based on the comments though.  Thanks everyone.

I traveled from MI to ME 7 days after surgery he wanted my legs moving as much as possible but I can't imagine I would of felt like vacation when I got where I was going :)

 

Trish

I am 4 weeks out now and I have more energy than ever! A vacation especially a relaxing one is something I definitely could handle. Everyone is different though so it definitely makes planning difficult. Good luck with both the surgery and vaca plans!

I am glad to hear that you are doing so well. Congratulations!

It is pretty much YMMV kind of thing.  If it is a lay around, relaxing type of vacation it could work well for you.  Just keep these ideas in mind:

- get lots of sleep.  Be able to take a nap or two in the day.  If you tire yourself out with sight seeing, or push yourself to keep up with others, you will go down hill fast.

- take your vitamins, especially the multi-vitamins.  At 4-6 weeks, you are not going to be able to take the tons of pills we swallow, but make sure you take a minimum of 3 multi-vits evenly spaced through out the day if nothing else.

- drink your protein drinks.  Sip it all day long.  You will be on a soft food diet, maybe just transitioning into regular foods at 4-6 weeks.  Think about what you eat.  If you put it in your mouth, it needs to count towards your protein goals for the day.  No crap foods, no carbs, no fruit, no veggies.  Soups are great, but there needs to be protein in it - or you should just drink a shake instead.

- buy some poo-pouri spray, or Ozium (I use this) if you are in a hotel setting with other people. 

- pack lots of underwear and shorts/pants.  In the beginning you are learning how your bowels work, what foods cause you diarrhea, what your bathroom schedule will be, etc.  Most importantly, never trust a fart when you are a newbie. 

Have a good time.