Question:
Any suggestions for me in traveling from PA to WA 9-10 days after surgery?

I will be having my surgery and then flying home, with one short stop/transfer to the next flight to go from PA, where my surgery is, to WA, where I live. I have already requested handicap service from the airline where they will meet me at the gate in a motorized cart between the first leg and second leg of my flight. I will have a friend to carry my luggage in to the airport for me in PA, and I will have my son to carry my luggage from baggage claim when I arrive in WA. Am I going to be able to walk comfortably or should I ask a Sky Cap for a wheelchair? Anything else I should do? I'm having Open DS.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on September 1, 2002)

September 1, 2002
Don't forget the tips for skycap service. When in doubt get a wheelchair so you don't get caught standing and waiting and walking long distances. If it is a small airport arrival maybe the walk not too tiring.
   — charlene M.

September 1, 2002
Hi Margie. I flew from Mexico at about 6 days post op following a major abdominoplasty w/ lipo. First of all, even though arrangements were made ahead of time to meet me with a wheelchair and do transport they did NOT show up. I had to wait for transport, requesting it upon arrival at the first airport, again upon landing at my plane change over, then again at my final landing. If you can I would avoid having to do a plane change, try for a nonstop flight. I think my flight was shorter than yours at about 5 hours total. But I absolutely needed wheelchair transport because of the distances that normally would have to be walked and from still being weak from surgery. And another side affect I hadn't planned on. I really became swollen after the flight home. Talking with the doctors office it was believed that the pressurizing of the cabin affected me. I ended up with my feet up, totally hydrating, and taking Lasix for a good week afterwards. Still I flew by myself like you're doing with only help getting my bags onboard the first flight and then off when I landed home. I don't regret it at all and in the end it all worked out fine. The flight attendants were very nice and made sure because of my obvious discomfort and awkwardness of having 4 drains hooked up to two suction machines that they repositioned passengers to give me a seat by myself. Oh! And don't forget to ask for an extender if you're at all swollen. I would have fit going home without one but it made me a ton more comfortable having it loose enough to not add any pressure to me.
   — Shelly S.

September 1, 2002
Margie, I almost forgot to mention that my final flight landed in Spokane which is a really small airport. I figured because of the short distance (and since they didn't show up with my wheelchair transport) to try and walk it. I almost didn't make it into the airport arrival gate. If they hadn't brought the wheelchair right then I think I would have passed out. So words of advise, don't try to walk it!
   — Shelly S.

September 1, 2002
Margie, I'm not post-op, but I just wanted to add something for you to maybe discuss with your Dr. prior to your flight. I have heard of people getting PE from long flights, so maybe you should try to get up a few times and walk around. I haven't had the surgery, so I'm sure that's easier said than done, but thought you may want to see if your surgeon would like to give you a few extra precautions since you are on such a long flight. Good Luck!
   — denisel

September 1, 2002
I would double check and tripple check everything before you leave. Call the different places if posible. Go for the wheel chair. My mom does wheelchairs and a large tote with long handles is great. Hangs from your shoulder when walking,and then will hang on the back of the chair. Try for a connecting 'patient' in your stop over city to see if someone there will meet you and help you to your connecting flight. When checking in, make sure they know you had surgery and what type. Have this typed ahead with dr names, type of surgery and relative name and number and give to each stewardest once on the plane, one for each plane. If you have an unexpected complications during flight, they have all your info already. Ask them to double check with the landing airport to make sure your arrangements have been made. You may also be able to request an assistant, like with children to get them to the next spot. But I would look for a list of people on this site, in the city of your stop over. Some lovely person, may just meet you and help through that stopover.
   — Elizabeth K.

September 2, 2002
I had to fly back to Germany 4 weeks postop and I still had to have a wheelchair. You should request wheelchair access for the entire trip. The Airlines will be happy to arrange this for you. I pray that this helps and I further pray for a speedy recovery. Have a blessed day.
   — Dortheria B.

September 2, 2002
I would suggest the wheelchair because depending on how long the concourse is then if may be difficult to get from point a to point b....best case scenario...better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Good luck and Godspeed.
   — Muriel M.

September 2, 2002
Hi, Glad to hear about your wls. My Dr. doesn't like people to fly after surgery but if you must see if you have give yourself injection so you don't get blood clots. I had to have them. I had no trouble giving them to myself for 10 days and I had no trouble with clots. I will try to get you the name of the drug I used. Good luck and call ahead at each stop.
   — Denise F.