Question:
Will it be possible for me to travel on the day I am released from the hospital

I know we need to take it easy after surgery, but my surgeon is about 300 miles from my home. Will it even be POSSIBLE for me to get on Amtrak? I won't be carrying anything, so that shouldn't be bad. Also, I had my gallbladder out last May and while I was uncomfortable, I was able to get around. Any thoughts? Thanks.    — daphne K. (posted on January 27, 2003)

January 26, 2003
I can imagine traveling 300 miles on the train the day of being released from the hospital. You don't say if you are going to be Lap or Open. Remember you can go in for a Lap surgery and be converted to open. I could hardly stand the 10 mile ride home in a car a week after surgery--I had open. Won't the doctor want to see you a weeek after the surgery?
   — barbara A.

January 26, 2003
I can imagine traveling 300 miles on the train the day of being released from the hospital. You don't say if you are going to be Lap or Open. Remember you can go in for a Lap surgery and be converted to open. I could hardly stand the 10 mile ride home in a car a week after surgery--I had open. Won't the doctor want to see you a weeek after the surgery?
   — barbara A.

January 26, 2003
Sorry, I meant to say I can't imagine traveling on the day of being released.
   — barbara A.

January 26, 2003
I had open RNY last May and my surgeon was a 2 1/2 hour car ride away, and I made the trip home on the day I was released. I was in the hospital Monday - Thursday a.m. My mother did the driving and I slightly reclined the passenger seat, brought a pillow and strapped it under the seatbelt so that it was pressed firmly over my incision. It wasn't a comfortable ride but it was okay, and certainly do-able. I realize you're talking train, not car but it should be a smooth ride and if you bring a pillow to hold over your tummy (if you're having open surgery) you'll be fine. If you're having lap surgery, you should be perfectly fine.
   — KelBurt

January 26, 2003
I live 4 hours from my surgeon. I traveled home by car after discharge with no problems. Best wishes in your process.
   — Heather N.

January 27, 2003
You may want to discuss this with your surgeon. My surgeon would only agree to operate on out of area patients if they signed a form stating they would remain in the area, in a hotel nearby, for a week after surgery. Traveling immediately after surgery was a huge no-no in his opinion, so see if your surgeon feels the same. It's the risk of blood clots from sitting in a traveling position so soon after surgery that my doctor was having us avoid.
   — Samantha S.

January 28, 2003
My mom lives 3 hours away and I am having my boyfriend drive me there after I get out of the hospital. My doctor says No Problem......as long as I get out of the car and walk around every hour to prevent blood clots. Good luck and God bless!
   — RedHeadBeauty