Question:
I have a surgery date for 7/16. I am scheduled to be in CO on 7/26.

I live in MN and will be flying to CO to spend a week with my family there. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not that is a viable plan? I am scheduled for a lap RNY and will spend 1 night in the hospital. Any thoughts would be appreciated-thanks!    — Heather N. (posted on May 7, 2002)

May 7, 2002
Everyone is different, but at one week and one day out, I went to an ice show w/a friend and our kids. We had to do a decent amount of walking, and I had no problems whatsoever. You'd definitely need help w/your luggage though! I'm more concerned about you leaving the hospital after only a one night stay. My surgery was performed laparoscopically at 8am on a Friday morning, and I stayed at the hospital until Monday early evening, which was planned ahead of time and not due to any complications. My hospital stay was uncomfortable at best. I had severe nausea from the anesthetics and vomited at least a dozen times that first night (sorry for any bad visuals!). Then the pain meds only aggravated that further. Sometime after midnight, I stopped hitting the PCA pump. I wasn't in much pain from the surgery, and I'd get sick each time I got a dose. They finally changed my pain med sometime the next night, but I was still pretty weak. I was also not given anything until a little water Sunday evening, so I was weak from no food as well as the trauma of surgery. Is there a reason your doc only keeps you in one night?
   — GGinMA

May 7, 2002
Regina~ He said that is his standard. He said that I will be out after one night as long as I am able to drink H2O and tolerate my pain pills. He said that 90% of his lap patients are home after only one night. So, hopefully I won't have your experience! Thanks for your thoughts-Heather
   — Heather N.

May 7, 2002
Heather, I had lap RNY with Dr. Schwartz on 2/5/02. I too was scheduled for a trip shortly after my surgery and he told me I should wait at least 6 weeks before traveling anywhere by plane. I think it is partially because of the changes your body goes through due to the altitude (swelling, dehydration, etc) as well as the fact that most complications that are going to occur happen in the beginning and he would prefer to have to close to home. I personally was only able to walk short distances at a week out (like around the store to get a couple of things). I'd be afraid that even if you did go, you wouldn't have as great of a trip because you won't be feeling 100%. It took me until I was 2 weeks out until I felt like I didn't hurt all of the time. If you have any questions - since we have the same doc, feel free to email me. -Christine
   — Christine C.

May 7, 2002
Well our surgeon wants us within a close range for at least 10 days and no long trips or flying. There are 2 issues. In case of a complication its better to be close to YOUR surgeonm and theres always a blood clot risk early on. You want to be up and moving not jammed into a airliner seat. I missed a family reunion about a week after surgery but certinally felt well enough to go on a 8 hour drive to charlotte from pittsburgh. But I figured I had the rest of my life for such trips. Why risk my neck and look foolish for this sort of thing. I would ask your surgeon and do as he says.
   — bob-haller

May 7, 2002
Another thing to remember is that Colorado is at a higher altitude, although that depends on where you plan to go, and that it is a very dry climate. The altitude can be very difficult to adjust to. You can actually develop altitude sickness which is not a fun thing. The very dry climate means you will have to drink even more water just to keep yourself hydrated. Those of us who live here have adjusted to the altitude and the dryness, but it's probably not the best place to come immediately after surgery. However, we depend on tourists here, so feel free to come a little later in the year! :-)
   — garw