Question:
Am I crazy to be considering having this surgery 7-8 hrs from home?

I haven't even left my house in almost a year... and now I am considering out of town surgery... am I crazy? Its not that I am agoraphobic and afraid of open spaces.. I'm afraid of not fitting into spaces! I really think the best option for me is the Lap BPD/DS. Assuming I fit the criteria of course. Thing is, the logistics of getting to San Francisco from So Cal are a bit daunting. Do I go for the extra expense of buying two airline seats cuz I cant fit into one? Not having ever been there before I don't know if there are any long walks... I cant walk that far without getting a back ache. What if I drive... how do I know I can find a place along the 7-8 hour journey with toilet facilities that I can fit into? Is it fair to disrupt my whole household for this long journey and expense when I could have the BPS/DS done closer to home but it wouldn't be the lap procedure? I don't even know how much I weigh..the scale doesn't go up high enough. Although I know I am more that the 339 I was the last time I was weighed. If I can find a pcp to take my follow up care I guess I'll find out then~<G> If I decide to do this... I cant fit into my car anymore to drive.. I have to wait for my husband to get time off from work to drive me every where... Would like to hear your thoughts on this. thanks, mary    — X X. (posted on February 19, 2001)

February 18, 2001
I was so moved by your plight , it brought tears to my eyes.I have no answers for you , but I am sure that others here have gone through what you are experiencing. I pray that you get the answer you need . I read your posting and having read "achy bones" posting , I hope that person realizes what a gift they have been given , and start taking care of themself. God bless you .Mary ,you are in my prayers.
   — Rose A.

February 18, 2001
I'm sorry that posting I refer to is "trouble sleeping because of pain" not achy bones.
   — Rose A.

February 18, 2001
Although I definitely wanted a lap procedure, I would not have travelled to get lap over open. Had there not been a surgeon in my area at all, then I certainly would have travelled to find one. But if I had a local surgeon doing open, I would absolutely have gone open. I had a terrific recovery, and even so, felt pretty darned yucky. I would not have wanted to travel home unless I had absolutely no option. And with my luck, if I had travelled for lap, I would have been the one to run into complications causing a change to open during surgery!! Good luck with your decision. Kate
   — kateseidel

February 19, 2001
DO IT! I would suggest LAP though. I had my surgery and had a 3 hour ride home. It was hard but the program that you are going through should help you out so that you don't have to make so many trips. As far as bathrooms go....use the wheelchair bathrooms in most restaurants and rest areas. Good Luck on your decision.
   — [Anonymous]

February 19, 2001
As for traveling and finding adequate restrooms, try La Quinta Inns and asking for a wheelchair access room. The rooms are very large and accommodating. Being in Corona, CA aren't you fairly close to SAn Diego and the Doctors at Alvarado Hospital? Would that be easier for you - maybe an hour to 1 1/2 hour travel? Just a thought. TAke care. Mary H
   — Mary H.

February 20, 2001

   — medusa D.

February 20, 2001
Thanks everyone for your helpful responses and suggestions. Alvarado is an hour and a half away but they dont recommend the BPD/DS very often and dont do it laproscopically. I think the lap proceedure will be much less traumatic post op and thats why I'd liked to do it. Kate... was wondering if you wouldnt mind elaborating on why you wouldnt bother traveling just for the lap proceedure? Thanks everyone! mary, corona, ca
   — X X.

February 20, 2001
If you decide to fly, you may find getting two seats more comfortable. Phone up the airline and ask for the Special Needs department. Severe morbidity is covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the airline is obliged to help you. I'm not familiar with all the American air companies, as I'm Canadian myself, but I do know that Continental is one airline that will only charge you half price for the second seat, once you explain that you need the second seat to sit on. I fly Air Canada myself and they only charge half price as well, so I'm beginning to suspect that it might be an industry standard, but phone your local airline anyway, to make sure. Request pre-boarding. I do all the time. I simply want the lack of an audience so I can get myself settled without the entire plane watching me. I request a seatbelt extender, if the stewardess forgets to hand me one when I go into the plane. The bathroom in the airplane is cozy, but I can do it if I promise not to do the watusi while I'm in there. I don't know how much I weigh, I suspect I'm over 420 - probably closer to 450, but my hip measurements are 76 inches, so that will give you an idea of whether or not you fit into the bathroom in the airplane. I also head for the handicapped toilet stalls in the rest rooms, with no apologies whatsoever, as I find the regular toilet stalls anywhere from a tight fit to darned near impossible. Hope this information helps you. Email me if you have any more questions on being big and travelling the airlines. OH! And you can request a golf cart to take you various places in the airport! That saves on walking a lot.
   — defatbroad