Question:
I have a 3 and 1/2 hour ride home from the hospital after open RNY, will I make it?
My husband will be driving me home, so I should be able to recline my seat and probably sleep. But I would love to hear any advice for preparing me. — Gina C. (posted on January 6, 2003)
January 5, 2003
I had an hour and a half ride to get home after my open rny and all the dr.
said was to stop after an hour and get out of the car and walk a little. I
also kept my pillow on my tummy as it seems that you will feel all the
bumps in the roads and also when turning corners hold tight you will feel
these also. good luck on your recovery. welcome to the losing side.
— linda E.
January 6, 2003
I had about a 3 hour ride home from chicago to a bit out side danville, it
was a bit uncomfortable, but recline the seat a bit, a pillow on your head
and pillow to hug for some bumps wasn't to bad. Slept most of the way, i
didn't wear a seat belt either, but thats up to you.
— keller W.
January 6, 2003
Take a pain pill before you leave the hospitial, it should help.
— Debbie W.
January 6, 2003
My ride home was 3 hours. I had my husband stop every hour to walk and move
about. That really helped. Don't forget to drink your water and a pillow
for the tum really helps.
— packwrap
January 6, 2003
Hi Gina, definitely, bring a pillow and a good frame of mind! He won't be
purposely trying to hit every bump in the road, but you'll probably feel
like he is - I know I did! And I never knew the highway had as many bumps
as it did until the drive home. I agree with one of the previous posters
as well, take a pain killer before you leave the hospital and have hubby
stop if you need to. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
January 6, 2003
Take your pain med, bring the pillow to clench against your tummy, and stop
to walk every hour (we stopped every half hour, and then half way as mom
lives in the middle, then after a short nap went on the rest of the way)...
you will make it, but take it slow, don't push yourself, and like I said
get that pain med filled ASAP! I only used it a couple days and then
stopped as I found the pain not to bad. I have a higher tolerance for pain,
but I wasn't taking any chances...
— MF
January 6, 2003
I had my open RNY on 10-31-02. My ride home was 4 hours. We went ahead
and drove all the way without stopping. I couldn't sleep (darn it!) and by
the time I got out of the car at home I was like "ouchhhhhhh!"
:) I couldn't take the pain meds. Pain meds gag me. :) Anyway, it wasn't
unbearable, but I was sure happy to sit in the recliner!!! I go for my
followup tomorrow...:( Driving four hours...yuck! You'll do fine! If you
can sleep...go for it!!
— Lindi R.
January 6, 2003
Do ASK YOUR SURGEON, its best to be nearby for the first week r so just in
case you get a complication... Mine requires we be nearby if we live more
than 2 hours away till the 10 day checkup.<P> The other issue is you
MUST get up and move often. Blood clots ffrom extended sitting can kill
anyone. So stop the care every hour for at least 10 to 15 minutes and walk
walk walk. Moving helps prevent blood clots.
— bob-haller
January 6, 2003
Ask for a pain shot just before you leave. You will need to get out and
walk every hour for about 5-10 minutes, bring a small firm pillow to hug
for your trip home, you will feel every dip and bump.
Best of luck
— domestic G.
January 6, 2003
Hi there, Gina! We had an hour and a half ride home. I took a pain pill
about half an hour before we left, by the time I was in the car, I didn't
feel very much. I had the seat at an incline, my Mom kept making sure to
have me move my legs a bit and I also had a pillow handy, just in case we
hit bumps. Ended up taking a little longer because my Husband didn't want
to go too fast on the highway, it wasn't as bad as the first time you get
out of bed. Congrats and be safe. Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 80 lbs.
— Vi F.
January 6, 2003
My Dr.wanted us to drive 1hr. stop and walk 10min's My room mate had a 6
hr. drive.Also I had a pillow on my lap and took pain med's when I left
the hospital.
— charanewme
January 6, 2003
I was given a pain pill for my 2 hour ride to my Mom's to recover. The doc
did strongly encourage stopping an hour into the ride to walk around, but
we were driving through lots of construction and I just wanted to get home.
I had my large heavy pillow over my tummy and the seat half way reclined. I
did have my water with me and moved my legs quite a bit throughout. Two
weeks after surgery I made the ride home 8 hours with the same pillow in
place and stopped every 2 hours to walk around. I had no problems sleeping
on that trip. :-) Good luck to you! Open RNY 9/20/02
— Click
January 6, 2003
I had surgery 3 hours from my home and my surgeon makes his out of town
patients stay in town for at least three days after they are released from
the hospital. There is a hospitality house across from the hospital for
patients and their families - $30 a night for a great private room. Most
of his patients stay there. I stayed with a friend who lived nearby. And,
I stayed for a full week after I was discharged - I had no trouble making
the ride home. In fact, he cleared me to drive, but I let my neice do the
driving.
Good luck.
— Patty_Butler
January 6, 2003
I live 3.5 hours from the Hospital where I had Surgery, I took A dose of
Pain Meds before we left and i felt no pain all the way home
— dozerr
January 6, 2003
Ask for Roxicet for pain. It's a liquid, with a very mild taste, and you
only have to swallow a tiny bit. It's worth asking, anyway. Maybe you could
get some relief! Be sure to take a couple of pillows, and stretch your legs
regularly.
— Diana L.
January 6, 2003
I am two weeks post op as of today. I had my surgery done in Ypsilanti MI
a five hour trip from my home. I was very uncomfortable getting in and out
but the trip itself was very comfortable. I had little pain medicine and I
enjoyed the trip, we stopped every hour and I walked around for about ten
minutes. stopping and walking is very important check with your surgeons
office
— debmi
January 6, 2003
all the previous posters r right with their answers except that they
omitted what to wear on ur trip home. i had a 5 1/2 ride home. i wore a
long caftan, NO UNDERWEAR, & bedroom slippers. we stopped as often as
is possible when traveling thru the desert of arizona, i got out, walked
around, went potty & basically tried to spend 1/2 hour out of the car
each time. sure this is time consuming but, so much better for u than
sitting constantly. so...make sure u wear the most comfortable clothes u
can, a caftan, sweats, a pair of pretty lounging pajamas etc. & no bra
or panties. good luck & god bless u.
— sheryl titone
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