Question:
After surgery how long is it before you feel well enough to travel
I am planning to have Gastric on Dec 1, 2008 and on Jan 19 am planning a trip from Alabama to Washington DC on a bus with forty 6th grades to tour Washington on ......... I am worried........Do I need to wait to have my Surgery. Thanks — tspires (posted on September 11, 2008)
September 11, 2008
Hi, Tina. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. If it were me, I would
not reschedule my surgery. You would be 6-7 weeks out by then and should
be on some reasonable diet that you could do while on the trip. I think
most surgeons remove the lifting restriction by then, too. Hopefully, you
won't have to lift ANY 6th graders! And for the recuperating and how you
will feel, that's harder to tell. Everyone is different. I was fortunate
enough to have next to no pain from mine. I traveled about 6 hours 10 days
after surgery, but i was only supervising myself. :)
— jujuprof
September 11, 2008
Well, as you have already read on here, each person is different in their
recovery, but with proper care (eating, drinking etc, and the right
attitude, I would say you would be safe in 6 weeks. Many of us would have
no problems with this, but some may have complications and it is possible
that you will be zapped in the energy department. If you really want to
play it safe, make the surgery for after the trip. Your call, sorry I
couldn't be more definitive. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
September 11, 2008
Do not go on that trip. Your Dr. should warn you about blood clots and
sitting for too long. My Dr told me to get up and walk every hour for the
first 6 months.
— Carlyn M.
September 11, 2008
I personally had alot of fatigue, in the first few months. Thank God I
have a supportive family. Is this something you could get out of if you
had to? Good luck, you may snap back faster than I did, alot of people do!
— lesleigh07
September 11, 2008
I am 5 months post-op and no way could I do a trip like that. I am still
fatiged and 40 6th graders would send me up the wall. I also still have
days...sometimes 2-3 at a time when I can barely eat. We went to Red
Lobster last night. I ordered shrimp cocktail which I love and a cup of
chowder. I managed to eat one shrimp and about 5 half spoonfuls of the
chowder.
I don't mean to discourage you as everyone is diifferent but I simply could
not make a trip like that. I don't want to travel at all just yet. I need
my own bed at the end of the day.
— Gena L.
September 11, 2008
I would plan to go on the trip. I was back to work with 6 toddlers 2 weeks
after gastric bypass. Just rest as much as possible in the weeks prior to
the trip. Walk as much as you can each day ... building up your strength.
Walk - Rest - Drink plenty of fluids!
— Tammy Cardwell
September 11, 2008
Hi Tina,
I just want to remind you we are each different. Some of us would do just
fine and others of us could not do it. I suggest you ask your Dr. I could
not have done it as I am not able to eat yet [surg 7/1/08] All I do is
proetin drinks as that is all I can handle. The previous person that
mentioned the blood clots issue is very right. Personally, I do all kinds
of events with my grandkids schools and am trying to do as much as I can
right now and it is really difficult to keep my energy up. I am getting my
B-12 shots every 2 weeks. All other vitamins I need. I am just wore out
most of the time. I cant stress enough to you to talk to your Dr. now and
go from there to make up your mind with the Dr. If you go have a great
time and I wish you well in the surg. I will keep you in my thoughts and
prayers.
— tootsie52
September 11, 2008
At 6 week I would have been fine to do the trip. I would have been fine
after 1 week.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 11, 2008
I am a little over 2 months out and just returned from a trip to Africa and
did just fine...even my energy was good. I did all of this with my
surgeon's permission. One precaution I did take was to take a blood thinner
shot for the times I would be sitting alot. I'm sure your Dr. would do that
for you as well.
— Kristin D.
September 12, 2008
I rode my horse in a speed competition just afew days short of 6 weeks. I
did just fine but I do have a high pain tolerance. I know some people jsut
couldn't do it and this will be a decision you and your surgeon will have
to make for yourself. Do take into consideration chances of blood clots
since that is such a long drive. I know I could do it but I don't know if
all 40 sixth graders would survive the trip. That's the part I couldn't
handle!!!
— JODI_13
September 14, 2008
The Biggest concern i would have would be the possibility of blood clots
when you travel. I just read an article from a woman who lost her daughter
from that even though she tried to move around at every opportunity. She
was only in her 20s. If you have any tendency to motion sickness I'd
definitely talk to your PCP and surgeon and tell them your plans. Be safe
above all. This is a huge step and it's worth doing right. I applaud you
for your decision. With that diligence to do it right, I feel you'll do
fine. Good luck. Dusty @};-
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
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