Car ride home from hospital

[shotgun72000 30]

I will be having my surgery in San Antonio, 1 1/2 hr car ride away. Worried about the long car ride home after surgery. Any helpful tips to make it comfortable as possible? Should we stop every 20 minutes for me to get out and walk?

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[heidikat72 935]

I haven't had surgery yet but one thing my team has told me even with just an hour trip home is bring a pillow to hold against my abdomen on the car ride home. that way if there are any bumps in the road, the pressure of the pillow against my stomach will help cushion the blow somewhat.

with a 2 hour car ride home - I would think a couple stops to walk a bit would be a good idea, maybe not as frequent as every 20 minutes but definitely at least once. Good question for your surgeon.

[shotgun72000 30]

Great idea on bringing a pillow!! Thank you.

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[peaceout 273]

I second the pillow! I only live 20 minutes from the hospital where I had my surgery, but I was really glad to have it. I swear hubby was hitting all the potholes on purpose!

I wouldn't necessarily try to plan stops ahead of time. Just see how you feel. Maybe you'll want to stop every 20 minutes, or maybe you'll be anxious to get home and only need 1 stop.

[alyssaajoan 36]

I don't remember anything about the car ride home lol I got in the car and fell sound asleep, it was almost 2 hours to my house.

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[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I will be having my surgery in San Antonio, 1 1/2 hr car ride away. Worried about the long car ride home after surgery. Any helpful tips to make it comfortable as possible? Should we stop every 20 minutes for me to get out and walk?

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My surgeon made sure that anyone who had to travel more than 30 minutes had a plan to stop and walk every 30 minutes or so on the way home. So, yes, you absolutely need to stop and walk frequently. Talk to your surgeon about what he suggests.

I also brought a pillow to put across my abdomen to help with the jarring and bumps in the road.

My mom drove me home in her SUV and I had trouble getting in and out of it before surgery so we devised a step with a wooden pallet that would help me to step in. It helped pre-op and was a lifesaver post-op.

Best of luck with your surgery!

[lauriefromtexas 3]

I will be having my surgery in San Antonio, 1 1/2 hr car ride away. Worried about the long car ride home after surgery. Any helpful tips to make it comfortable as possible? Should we stop every 20 minutes for me to get out and walk?

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I had mine in San Antonio on May 9 and drove the hr and half back to Austin with a pillow and slept most of the way home, walked a little and went straight to bed when I got home. I woke up every hour and walked around and slept again. We took I30 and it was faster without the stop and start on 35. You're not going to feel a lot on the 1st day. I felt horrible after surgery but they gave me some pain medication before leaving and the next thing I was home. By the way the first 2 weeks are the worse, then it gets a little better everyday. Take it day by day. I was off work 6 days and went back to work on the 7th. Very happy I did it.

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[ButterflySeoul 98]

I second (or third or fourth..) the pillow! I was lucky- there is someone who makes pillows for all of the bariatric patients at the hospital where I had my surgery, so I got one the morning of my surgery, and it was on my bed with me when I got to my room. I used it every time I had to get up to use the bathroom, or walk. I would also try to get an abdominal binder--- I wore one home from the hospital and that thing was a life saver! It really helped with the pain of getting up and sitting back down.. and going for walks too. I also wore it under my clothes for my first two weeks back to work.

[KristenLe 5,979]

Your Dr may suggest compression stockings. It's best to move and walk to avoid blood clots.

[ironpoorer 88]

I will be having my surgery in San Antonio, 1 1/2 hr car ride away. Worried about the long car ride home after surgery. Any helpful tips to make it comfortable as possible? Should we stop every 20 minutes for me to get out and walk?

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I had no issues driving 6 hours home 3 days after surgery. We did stop every hour for a 10 minute walk as directed by my doctor.

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[Dub 9,922]

Two prior abdominal hernia surgeries and then the sleeve & 3rd hernia repair.

I can say that the two best things to do are:

1) take a couple of pillows to hold with light pressure against your abdomen. It really helps.

2) make sure to get your pain meds prescription filled prior to surgery and have it ready for the ride home.

[shotgun72000 30]

Thank you for all the helpful input.

I had my sleep study last night. Last test to be done. Now just have to wait for a surgery date. Should be quick since its out of pocket. Can't wait to get this done. Not nervous at all.

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[Turcoise 18]

Tilt your seat back, I had trouble for the first several weeks sitting completely upright tillting back slightly relieved a lot of pain