Traveling after surgery

[keto_jo 9]

I know ultimately I will need to discuss this with my Dr but I'm asking y'all for now since I won't see him til the 3rd.

Is it safe to travel in a vehicle soon after surgery? If so, what's a safe distance? And how soon?

If I travel, it'll be after my 2 week post op appt.

Bad thing is, I would need to travel 1,100 miles. My brother in law had skin cancer that has now spread to his brain and every bone in his body. My husband works in Afghanistan. His leave falls exactly in line with my surgery so while he's home for 1 month we would like to go see his brother as he may not be alive on his next stint home in January. We just aren't sure if I'll be able to travel with him.

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[Bufflehead 6,358]

It should be safe in general but you'll need to pay extra attention to hydration and make sure to stop the car and get out to walk every couple of hours, due to the risk of blood clots so soon after surgery. This isn't optional, it is crucial.

Many surgeons won't like you leaving the area so soon after surgery because you are still at risk for a leak, and they want you to stay near so that they can care for you if you develop a leak or other serious complication. I am sure if you explain the situation no surgeon would tell you not to go, though! Perhaps your surgeon can give you a referral to another bariatric surgeon near your brother in law just in case something goes wrong.

I am so sorry about your brother in law's cancer -- that is just awful.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I was going to say same as @Bufflehead. Should be fine. Just be prepared with Protein shakes, fluids and getting out and moving around every few hours.

[keto_jo 9]

It should be safe in general but you'll need to pay extra attention to hydration and make sure to stop the car and get out to walk every couple of hours, due to the risk of blood clots so soon after surgery. This isn't optional, it is crucial.

Many surgeons won't like you leaving the area so soon after surgery because you are still at risk for a leak, and they want you to stay near so that they can care for you if you develop a leak or other serious complication. I am sure if you explain the situation no surgeon would tell you not to go, though! Perhaps your surgeon can give you a referral to another bariatric surgeon near your brother in law just in case something goes wrong.

I am so sorry about your brother in law's cancer -- that is just awful.

I was going to say same as @@Bufflehead. Should be fine. Just be prepared with Protein shakes, fluids and getting out and moving

Thank you @@Bufflehead and @@Daisee68

I will be speaking to my surgeon first and making sure I have clearance for something like that before doing it. I am pretty worried about keeping my husband cooped up at home when he comes back anyway so I've already prepared and bought myself a cooler/bag for my liquids and Vitamins to take with me anywhere we go.

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