Buying my ticket today! Where to sit?

[RellaBelle 29]

I'm buying my ticket today [AAHH!] and I need some advice. Did anyone find that their particular seat made their flight easier or more difficult? I don't know whether or not to reserve an aisle seat or a window seat. I'd think an aisle would be preferred in case we need to use the restroom but then I think we can only take tiny sips so I probably won't be doing a lot of peeing. But then I also feel like I'd want a window seat just to be out of the way. Where did y'all sit and did it make your trip comfortable/uncomfortable? Did you actually get up and walk around? The first leg of my return flight is 1h 16 mins with a 1hr layover in Phoenix [which is fine because that means I can take my time getting to the next terminal] and then a 2 1/2 hour flight to Houston.

[MzB 297]

For me it depends on if I want to sleep or not. If I want to sleep I get the window, if I am going to be up the whole time, I do the isle. The nice thing is that as you shrink, all the seats fit better and you no longer agonize about where you are sitting! Good luck on your choice.

[lauraellen80 855]

I didn't fly anywhere for my surgery, but I would suggest asking to NOT be seated in an exit row, since your mobility will be limited after surgery. Personally, I get motion sickness very badly (since before surgery, this is nothing new for me, but I have heard that you can have an increased sensitivity post-op), and I find that the best place for me to sit in order to avoid nausea is on or directly behind the wing. Further back in the cabin, and I get really green really quickly.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Aisle for the trip home. You should get up and walk often after your surgery to avoid blood clots. That will be MUCH easier to do with an aisle seat.

[RellaBelle 29]

Thanks y'all.

@@JamieLogical, I ended up getting an aisle seat. I thought about it more and it definitely seems like the better choice. How often should I get up and walk?

@@lauraellen80, I usually get motion sick if Im reading or playing on my phone while riding in a car, I really hope that doesn't happen on the plane!

Edited January 13, 2016 by RellaBelle

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Thanks y'all.

@@JamieLogical, I ended up getting an aisle seat. I thought about it more and it definitely seems like the better choice. How often should I get up and walk?

I would say at least once per hour, more if the drink carts and traffic allow it. Another good tip for on the plane home is to order both apple juice and Water from the flight attendant and mix them together, since straight juice will likely be too much to handle that soon post-op. Oh! And definitely ask strangers for help with your bags. Strangers are way nicer than we give them credit for! I've been to Mexico for surgery twice and both times, strangers were more than willing to help me get my bags into the overhead compartment or off the baggage claim conveyor.

[lauraellen80 855]

@@lauraellen80, I usually get motion sick if Im reading or playing on my phone while riding in a car, I really hope that doesn't happen on the plane!

I actually don't get as severe motion sickness on planes as I do in the car. I can't read or do anything in the car... even looking at a map for a couple minutes makes me a little urpy. I can play easy crosswords or read magazines or "fluffy" books (i.e., nothing with footnotes) on a plane, but I also always take a motion sickness preventative a couple hours before flying. Dramamine makes me loopy and doesn't help a lot, so I have always taken "Bonine," which is sold OTC and comes as a small chewable pill. I would check with your doc to make sure it's OK to take so soon after surgery. I had to fly from Pennsylvania to Indiana about 4 weeks post-op for a family emergency and took it then with no problems.

Oh, and I'll second what @@JamieLogical said about asking for help with your bags. Strangers were very nice about lending a hand.