Need a Ride to/From Surgery -- any suggestions?

OK, guys -- need another bit of advice -- I have a transportation problem to and from the surgery in December -- I obviously can't drive myself -- well, I could probably drive myself there, but I don't want to leave my car sitting for a long time in the hospital parking lot  (not the best neighborhood, and also, they might tow it!)  I know I can't drive myself home. I was counting on/hoping that my sister would be able to drive me to and home from, but ... she works in a hospital where they do employee schedules 3 months in advance, and she had to have all requests for days-off in by late August -- well, the surgeon's office, of course, wouldn't allow me to schedule until all of my pre-op screenings were done -- they called me August 31st at 4:30 PM -- too late for her to schedule the days off.  Her department head is nasty about unscheduled days off, so she doesn't want to cause  problems at work, even though she has 12 weeks of accumulated vacation time they won't let her take, due to low staffing/budget cuts.  And, because it's  right before Christmas, they are already short staffed in her department -- you get the picture. I have a couple of friends I COULD ask, but .. they both smoke, and I can't  STAND to be in their vehicles and frankly can't be in an enclosed space with them because of the lingering smoke -- I am REALLY sensitive to it -- I really don't need to arrive at the hospital for surgery unable to breath because of the smoke. So, I was trying to think of my other options.  There is NO public transportation here, even though I live right in the middle of a major metropolitan region of 5 million people.   So, that leaves me with:  private car/limo services, cab services, or some type of medical transport service/private ambulance.  I wouldn't mind paying for this, even if its many hundreds of dollars, because I'm getting off cheap -- insurance is paying all of the big bills, except dr's office calls and prescriptions, which aren't covered.   But, I'm not sure if:  A)  anyone will do this, and B)  can I really count on them to show up on time when I need them? Has anyone had any experience with private ambulances?  Or, would a limo service or private car service or cab work?  They might be hesitant to  pick up a post-surgical patient? Let me know. Dan.

Dan - First of all, congrats on your upcoming surgery. Where do you live?  There may be someone on one of the boards able to help you out. Also, I have fairly extensive knowledge of EMS providers and how they work in this area.  Depending on where you are, I may be able to give you more info.  For the most part, I doubt that you would want to spend the money for an ambulance ride TO your surgery.  It most likely would not be deemed medically necessary and would not be covered by your insurance.  The ride home, however may be a different story. Let me know where you are and I will be able to give you better info.

Are you having RNY or Lap Band? Reasons I ask... This girl that was operated on after me had the band, and drove herself home the next morning. Now EVERYONE is different... But I could have VERY easily driven home. I was be hind the wheel the very next day. I was actually shopping for 2 hours at Target and Wally World 30 minutes after I was discharged. Hell I moved my lawn for an hour with my push mower 2 days after my drains were pulled. BUT... I don't recomend any of this, as everyone recovers differently. A lady that was also done with me was there 5 days and was really "out of it" for a few weeks. Where do you live? I was in the same boat as you before I started datting someone. I met some people on here and they offered to pick me up/ drop me off. Network, network, network.

Dan, Ask your Dr's office about transportation services for surgery.  There are services available that you can hire (similar to calling a taxi) that can pick you up from a surgery and take you home.  Hospitals won't release you without either an adult to drive you home or one of these special transportation services to take you home.  When I had arm surgery I took a taxi to the hospital and booked a service to take me home.  I liked it because I didn't have to prevail on family or friends just to transport me. JP

Dan, I think you would be fine with a limo or cab. Cabs take people to and from the hospital all the time - including sick and/or elderly folks who don't have a vehicle. Another idea is to talk with your Doc (or Doc's receptionist) and see if they have a pre or post patient that you could hire to drive you. Since you are in a large city (with a WLS doc) there is probably a support group in your area. Contact the support group leader and ask him/her if they have any ideas specific to your area. Joe Bear

I second the motion (notion?) ... to contact the support group folks, there may even be a member of the group who'd offer up a ride to or from. I know when I was attending my group regularly, if I'd have heard of someone in need of a ride, I would have volunteered to get them at least one direction, wither to or from, without hesitation.

Dan, Where do you live? If you are in my area I will help you out.