Thanks a lot for the info. Yeah my hubby will more than likely stay with me. He stayed with me last year when I had surgery 2 nights. The hospital only had private rooms there. Anyway, Jello and pudding and soup are fine, I eat a lot of that now plus yogurt. Is there anything that you can't eat??? I am hoarse most of the time now and have problems even swallowing my on saliva so I am ready for this surgery so that I can get this lump feeling out of my throat. I will have my hubby drive me no doubt. Last year I didn't drive for 6 whole weeks and I was about to go crazy but like you said an accident is not worth it. We had one back in 2004 and one of my discs in my neck is messed up anyway so I have to be careful with that. The two weeks off is looking better everyday. I will let the surgeon know about my neck and other injuries that I had that will play into this surgery as well.
I was on liquids only in the hospital (stayed for only 24 hrs). I so enjoyed the beef broth. The warmth felt good. My husband was able to stay with me since I was in a private room. If you get one too, you might want your husband to stay with you as well. He was a great help. He fed me. I also had jello which I don't like but I enjoyed it then as well. I do recommend driving so soon. I had to travel 2 1/2 hrs to the hospital where I had my surgery (we stayed a few nights) my husband drove. the day I left the hospital it was straight to the hotel. There was no way I could make the trip back without passing out. I was on liquids for about 2 days, then added pudding and campbells soup at hand. We went back to surgeon ( the 2 1/2 hr drive) 1 week after the surgery. No way I could have even driven 1 mile. YOU CAN'T TURN YOUR NECK. You don't want to get into an accident. It's not worth it. Any other questions do not hesitate to ask.
I have to pee all the time now because I have HBP and take a diurectic with my pill every morning so I will probably not like that. Yeah you do use your neck muscles a lot. The nurse in the Drs. office told me I would be okay in 2 days but I wasn't buying that because everyone is different and your neck is too close to your head to not cause you any discomfort. I will take how many days that the Dr. suggests plus extra for myself. Did you have any troubling eating and swallowing right after the surgery? How long did you stay in the hospital. Sorry if I'm asking so many questions, I'm just curious about this.
Well, it was hard to turn my neck for about 2-3 weeks, so driving was quite challening. I didn't drive at all though for the first 2 weeks. I work from home so I don't drive that much. As for flying, I have no answer. You should check with your surgeon about that. You may experience light headedness just from getting out of the bed.
Oh, right after the surgery when they got me in my room, I had to pee constantly and had to get up for that. I had to hold my neck because of the pain. You'll know what I'm talking about. You never realize how much you use your neck muscles until you have this surgery.
Are there any restrictions on flying? I travel a lot for work and I know some surgeries require at least a month off before flying.
Thanks Linda. I am married but me and my hubby have grown kids that live on their own. I work at an office too and do computer work but I walk around a lot and may lift things at times. I was anticipating taking 2 weeks off anyway because I live in a rural area and my doctor is about 40 miles away from where I live. This lady that works in our office had the surgery and she was off 2 weeks as well and she is a classmate of mine. I have been on Weight Watchers and I walk and work out about 4 days a week or so. I don't mind slowing down a little bit though for my health. I had to do that last year. I had thyroid problems in 1999 and they gave me meds to take care of them but within the last year or so the nodule appeared and wouldn't go down. The surgeon I was referred to sent me all the paperwork that I need to complete before I go to him on Monday. I am praying that the surgery is in August so that way my honey can be with me because he might be starting a new job and I won't have anyone to take me around. How many days did you go without driving? My friend said she wasn't supposed to drive for 5 days. I have heard a week but doesn't it depend on the person?