Question:
Will I be able to travel at this point?

I will be having my surgery Nov 1 - Nov 16. I will get to pick my date from what is available at my pre-op this week. I would like to know if I will be able to tolerate traveling 7 hours for Thanksgiving? I will be 1-3 weeks post at that point. Obviously I won't be traveling to eat turkey. :-) BMI 41, RNY lap.    — Cheri M. (posted on October 20, 2001)

October 20, 2001
Hi!! I had my RNY open and I would have had NO problem traveling at two weeks, so you should be fine with a Lap..I wouldnt try it at one week, but after that you should be ok..Good luck with your surgery!!
   — Donna S.

October 20, 2001
I would have had a problem with travel all the way up to a few days ago. I'm 5 weeks post-op Monday. I don't know, but being stuck--nauseous, vomiting, unable to get enough water, weakness and just overall discomfort that I had would not have made travel easy. But, that's just me. Obviously I wish you the best of luck!
   — Kristin R.

October 20, 2001
My surgery was a lap DS. Although I could have physically travelled for 7 hours at 3 weeks, I think I would have been pretty miserable and tired. If you're going to do it, plan to rest as much as you can - bring a pillow and blanket and some music to block out the world and sleep. And, map out the potty stops along the way if you're driving! -Kate-
   — kateseidel

October 20, 2001
I had my surgery on Friday, July 13, was released on the following Monday, and road the 10 hours back to my hometown the next day, Tuesday and it was fine. I was only 4 days post op. You will do fine.
   — Laurie L.

October 20, 2001
That should be "rode the 10 hours home"... not "road". LOL proof read Laurie, proof read.
   — Laurie L.

October 20, 2001
My guess is it won't be very enjoyable but PLEASE keep water with you at all times. I had the Open RNY so I had more pain and discomfort, however you will probally find a raging thirst for the first couple of weeks. Even if you don't, you need to make sure you have water with you at "all times". I always carry it with me when I drive anywhere. The few times I forgot I was in agony and the one time I was actually afraid I was going to pass out from the extreme thrist. Good luck with your surgery! To bad it's so near the holiday season though.
   — Danmark

October 20, 2001
Just remember to BRING THE PAIN MEDICINE!!! Traveling one hour down to my doctor's follow up appointment five days after surgery, I forgot to take mine - and was not happy. Other than that - water and a pillow...have fun!! Open RNY 7/17/01.
   — blee01

October 21, 2001
It will all depend on whether you have any after effects (I consider nausea and pain an after effect). I had my surgery August 29 and could have easily traveled 3 weeks out. However, I have never experienced so much as nausea. I've never vomited. I was in the hospital only about 28 hours and by the time I got home, I took only 1 tylenol for pain. I went to the L.A. County fair 2 weeks out and walked and stayed there for 9 or 10 hours. Sure I was tired, but I got over it. With the lap surgery, there can be little to no pain within days of the proceedure. Good luck! This surgery is miraculous! I'm down 50 pounds and it hasn't been 2 mos. yet. :-)
   — [Anonymous]