Question:
My surgery is July 26th in San Diego, I live 11 hours from San Diego and I will be

driving(with my son and daughter 19and 18. Does anyone have suggestions for the drive and the hospital stay?    — Lisa W. (posted on July 1, 2002)

July 1, 2002
Bring pillows for the ride home. If you are having an open procedure it will help to a pillow to hug in front of you.
   — Pamela B.

July 1, 2002
ATTENTION! You driving home 11 hours soon after surgery? Blood clot risk big time! You would be better off flying or need to stop hourly and walk a lot. Talk with your surgeon about this. Its not just the discomfort, its a possible health hazard.
   — bob-haller

July 1, 2002
I agree with Bob fully. 11 hours is a long time- speak with your doctor! Flying may be expensive, but it would be faster. And flying can be better for your tummy after the surgery, too, not as bumpy as a car ride. If you do drive, you would need to stop atleast every hour and walk for atleast 5-10 minutes, whether you want to or not, and walk around, that is crucial to preventing blood clots and pneumonia as well. Otherwise, bring pillows, the roads can hurt your tummy. My trip home was only an hour, and it was bumpy, and my dad is an excellent driver in a minivan that drives very smoothly. Goodluck to you, i wish you so well!! :)
   — Lezlie Y.

July 1, 2002
Fly, Lisa, fly!!! the risk of clots is too great.
   — ERICK B.

July 1, 2002
I don't agree with Bob. The long drive will allow you to stop and walk every 45 minutes as Pacific Baratric demands. If you try to get up and walk in an airplane these days every eye is on you in case you are carrying a box cutter--not to mention that sitting in an airplane seat is hard enough--walking in the aisles for a MO person is ridiculous. That and you can only move your airplane seat back the smallest amount and it is nearly impossible to get your feet in any kind of elevated position.<p>You will also need a car for your week in San Diego. Our public transit system is a righteous pain in the patoot.<p> drop me a note if you think you would like a visitor while you are in the hospital. Dr. Rumsey did my open RNY on 9/11/01. I am down 130+ pounds and have dropped from a size 24 to an 8.
   — phoebe

July 1, 2002
Money does not buy happiness, but damn! it can help provide solutions sometimes. I went to mapquest and found out that Sutter residents would likely fly out of Sacramento. (Is that where they make Sutter Home wines??? Can I visit??? Ha! Ha!) I then went to expedia.com and searched for cheap airfare. United will fly you there for $131. I assumed you would leave the 25th and come back August 1st or 2nd. This return trip is the big gamble. The ticket will have a change fee... um, maybe not if you have a documented medical reason... Anyway, there are no direct flights between the two, you would have to change planes in LA or San Francisco. The entire trip would take you about 3 hours, depending which flight you would choose. If this option was prohibitive due to price for you, I searched for ways to get you a ticket with my Northwest or USAIR frequent flier miles. Northwest would take you out to Minneapolis to change planes, and would result in an 11 hour plane ride. USAir is not even a factor in your region. So beyond the research, I can't really help you. Here's the website to clip and paste to your address bar: http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?tovr=2002051100 The code for Sacramento is SMF and San Diego is SAN. Geeze, I feel like I just went to California! Let us know how you did / what you decide.
   — Karen F.

July 2, 2002
Thanks for all your postings. I decided to fly. I booked round trip tickets for only 94.50 and that includes the tax. The flight is a non stop and only 1 hr and 30 minutes. My son and his girlfriend and my granddaugter are flying with me and my daughter and her boyfriend are driving my car so we will have transportation too!. God has been so god to me!
   — Lisa W.