is travel safe

[mizzilizzi]

I had a laparotomy less than three weeks ago. Although I am recovering slowly, each day is getting better.
I have a question about travelling-I have a family crisis that has come up and if it is safe, I would like to travel to be with my family.However, this would mean having to fly an eight hour journey..is it safe to fly so soon after surgery. I had a hysterectomy last June and the gyn used the same incision as the hysterectomy...I am still very gassy and still very constipated. Any advice or insight would help...thank you all!

[SimplyStar]

If it were me I would go first class, more leg room , close to the toilet, tell the airline you are recovering from surgery  and will need to get up and walk every so often. Ask for a pillow to hug, helps with pain and gas. You should be ok . Have a wheel chair avaiable if the airport is big and you need to go very far from security to your departure gate.  Have a pain pill available to take is case.  Let someone else handle your suitcase.

[rmarie]

I would call your DR.  I traveled 3 weeks after my first surgery, however it was by car.  My Dr. told us we had to stop frequently for me to get out and walk.  You have to be concerned about blood clots when sitting for a long time, so do check with the Dr. they know your physical status better than we do.

[Anna-maria74]

I certainly think you would be well enough in yourself - as long as you were not carrying heavy luggage. I was bridesmaid at my brothers wedding at 2 and a half weeks and felt wonderfull. However flying is a different matter - the prime concern is DVT. I would not even concider flying without talking to your doctor first and being cleared to fly,

Anna X

[orangefuzzball]

Hi,
I did a 10 hour flight 5 weeks after large abdo surgery, I didn't find it a problem. Check with your doctor, I upgraded to get more leg room, wore anti-ebolism socks, took aspirin 75mg daily, took plenty of painkillers, did leg exercises every half hour, drank plenty of water and didn't lift any cases. I do the flight a couple of times a year and this was one of my best flights yet, saying that usually don't move for 10 hours and drink gin!
Lisa

[scoutshadow]

You'll be fine.  Drink lots of water and let everyone else pick up the slack.  Good luck and take care.

[Cagney2712]

I flew from PA to CA not quite 3 weeks after a laparotomy. Since I had a blood clot (a DVT) a few years ago, I was concerned about that. But, the doctor had placed me on an anticoagulant med for 2 weeks after my surgery anyway.
I really didn't have any problems. Just try to get up and move around when you can in the plane, and while sitting be sure to move year feet and legs frequently. And don't cross your legs at all, not even at the ankles.  There are also some special type socks you can get pretty much anywhere that are designed to help the circulation in your legs. I got a couple of pair at Walmart and wore them during my flights just as an extra precaution.  Other than being careful not to bump anything into my incision, or to lift any heavy luggage, traveling not too long after my surgery really wasn't a problem.  Just be careful and don't overdo things. Your body is still recovering from some major surgery.