Road Trip 2 Weeks Post-Op

Amber · May 3, 2011

First of all, I got my date!! May 24th. I'm very excited. It felt awesome to make my ticker.

Second, My mom is waiting till after my 2 week check up before we move to Colorado. That's a ten hour drive. Does anyone know what I should have with me, as in will there still be discomfort? What type of food should I bring with me? Though I really do not like eating fast food, if I have to go to one what would you recommend? If nothing I'll just eat a bunch of yogurt or something lol.

Advice is appreciated, thanks!

Rev Me Up! · May 3, 2011

You would have to check your surgeon's food guidelines. I was still on full liquids at 2 weeks out. Make sure to bring a cooler with you. You will want to have plenty of bottled Water, some Protein packets and milk or soymilk to mix them with. I was drinking a lot of liquid yogurt at that stage. You may want to pre-portion some cream Soup into microwaveable tupperware that you can take to a mini-mart on the road and heat up. If you are not on solids, you will not be able to eat anything at the drive-through. I am 2 months out and I still have a hard time eating a whole hamburger patty without the bun. My first foray into fast food consisted of the meat and cheese from the inside of one taco at about 4 weeks.

Also, bring tylenol as that is the only approved pain killer. Gas-x strips and tums will handle any gas or acid that might crop up.

As far as discomfort, that varies from person to person. I was exhausted and felt pretty bad for almost 4 weeks. Other people on this board have surgery Monday and are in fighting shape the following Monday. You should be fine for the drive, but you won't really know how food treats you until you get to that point.

Good luck!

lara

katmagmom · May 3, 2011

Great advice from Rev, but I would add one more thing. You need to get out and walk for at least 5 minutes every hour you are on the road. Only being two weeks out from surgery, you will be at risk for a DVT if you stay seated for to long at one time.

1-4-Many · May 3, 2011

I would take a wire mesh strainer. In the event you stop somewhere that a creamed type Soup is an option, having a strainer would make that a possible full liquid food choice for you. The soup must be strained to removed any pieces. Just ask for a second bowl and strain the soup over the bowl.

If you are like me, it's not real relevant. I'm 1 week out from surgery and my lunch was 2 table spoons of thinned cream of wheat. And I was doing good to get that down.

On full liquids I don't think you will have any fast food choices really. Even yogurt, at least according to my NUT, needs to be thinned with skim milk during the first 21 days.

Good luck on your surgery and the trip.