Question:
Druing a (6) hours trip home from hospital, how often & how long,must I stop & walk?

I live in Bakersfield, CA & am having surgery in San Diego, CA on 3/13. It's a (6) hr trip home and I've been told that my husband and I must stop the car every 15 and I must walk around for at least (10) minutes, to prevent blood clots. At this rate, it will take us forever to get home. Is this true advise, or can somebody enlighten me? Any previous Pacific Bariatric patients who live in Bakersfield out there? I'd appreciate any and all advise. Thanks! Janet    — Janet P. (posted on March 7, 2003)

March 7, 2003
My doctor said every 45 minutes to an hour. Are you having your surgery at Scripps Mercy? I work accross the street from the hospital....e-mail me ([email protected]) I would love to see you while you are here.
   — Sarah S.

March 7, 2003
I don't know the exact answer to your question, but I do know the road very well. I travel from Burbank to San Francisco all the time, so fortunately for you there are lots of rest areas and nice places to stop and walk. I would think if you stopped once an hr to walk for 10-15 mins should work. My best friend just had surgery on feb 3rd and while in the hosptial she was hooked up to a machine that would circulate her legs. It was like a automatic blood pressur cuffs for the legs. You might want to look into possibly renting something like that for the car trip home? Just an idea. Congrats on your upcoming surgery and best wishes....Aimee
   — chickiewickie

March 7, 2003
If your surgeon tells you to stop every 15 minutes I would do what he says. For further prevention, every once in awhile I would move your ankles around in a cirular motion. This keeps the blood pumping in your legs. My mom just died from a blood clot (not wls related) so PLEASE do what your surgeon says!
   — fropunka

March 7, 2003
I have been on Coumadin since I suffered from bi-lateral pulmonary emboli in January 2002. My PCP has advised me to get out of the car once a hour when driving on long trips and walk for 5-10 minutes...JR
   — John Rushton

March 7, 2003
Janet, I had my surgery with Pacific Bariatric in San Diego also. I live 3 hours away and was told to stop every 30 to 45 minutes on the way home. That is what I did more or less and did just fine. Good luck to you.
   — Charmaine R.

March 7, 2003
i had my surgery in salt lake city which was a 6-7 hr drive to and from las vegas where i live. postop, i was advised to stop every 1 hr and walk( which i did, about 5 min. max, plus a 30 minute meal stop for my husband). we have a roomy truck and i stretched my legs and moved around some during the drive. it took 8 hrs to get home but i had no pain and no problems. i only took a pain pill once cause my husbands driving was making me crazy!patsy in las vegas
   — PATSY N.

March 8, 2003
Janet, I live in Taft and had my surgery in San Diego. We stopped about every 45 minutes and walked around for 5-10 minutes and it worked out fine. Congratulations on your surgey. Kelly
   — Kelly S.

March 10, 2003
Have you considered taking the train? It would mean a couple of transfers, but at least you could walk around.
   — Robin J.