Question:
Are there restrictions on air travel after open RNY surgery?
I'm not sure if this is an issue or not but we have planned to take a trip to Finland to visit my wife's family. I was thinking of doing it while I was out of work for my surgery. Should I be concerned with traveling so far after surgery and is two - three weeks after surgery too soon to be traveling? The flight is about 8 hours and I'm usually fairly comfortable on a plane. I don't have a problem walking around the cabin if I have to. Thanks for your help! :-) — Sam C. (posted on August 1, 2000)
August 1, 2000
Should be o.k., I recommend getting your surgeon's opinion. Also,be sure
and get up and walk around the cabin frequently to get the blood moving and
avoid any possible blood clots. You may not feel like traveling at two
weeks post op if you are having open surgery though.
— Cindy H.
August 1, 2000
I don't want you go into this blind. Three weeks after surgery is early!
I have had this surgery twice now (once open and then lap) and both times,
it took me about 6 weeks to even start feeling human again not to mention
the emotional roller coaster. You may (I did) get very tired, ittitable,
etc. right around the 3 week mark. Your body is in starvation mode, your
head is telling you to eat but "not to eat" and your body is
trying to shed that weight. My first surgery, I flew to Phoneix, AZ and one
week after surgery I flew home (about a 3-4 hour flight) it was the worst!
I truly suggest that if you go, you take plenty of pain killers (to help
you sleep and get past the rough times) and a pillow and try to fly first
class. Remember, I am saying this from my experiences. You may be totally
different. I know this must be a big trip for you and your family and I
wouldn't want you to be disappointed. If you have any specific questions,
please feel free to email me at [email protected]
— Renee C.
August 1, 2000
That's pretty early. Although you could have a complication-free surgery,
this is the time that some complications occur, such as the narrowing of
the stoma. If you are vomiting, your trip may not be very pleasurable.
Plus, the food and water will be different there, and could cause you
diarrhea. I couldn't travel to the end of the block at this stage with my
open RNY. Please consult with your surgeon before making a decision that
may be an expensive regret.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 1, 2000
I know it may be disappointing to cancel such a nice trip, but you may want
to consider it. In my own experience, this would have been too soon to
take such a long trip. The suggestions below were good ones. I had
trouble sitting up straight in a chair for several weeks - it was too
uncomfortable. I know you can walk around in the plane cabins, but that
only goes if there's no turbulence or other type conditions, in which case
they don't allow you to walk around. I would also hesitate to be so far
away from my surgeon in case of difficulties. Not that you should expect
them (mine went flawlessly), but one never knows. If you do go, be sure to
take your surgeon's office and emergency phone numbers, pain med
prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea, gas, laxatives,
etc. Europeans don't have the same store hours we do - they are not open
nearly as late, in general, and you don't want to be explaining that you
need diarrhea medicine to someone when you needed it yesterday! Someone's
comment about there being different food and different water was a very
good point. Even when I travel in different parts of the US, I notice a
difference. As suggested, take 1-2 different size pillows for the plane.
If you cough, it helps the pain when you hold a pillow against your chest.
This will also ensure the airplane seat buckle doesn't bind you. It's very
important that you give thought to your sleeping arrangements. Most of us
find it difficult to lie flat in bed for quite a while, and we use either a
recliner, hospital bed or tons of pillows. Be sure you are properly
outfitted with wherever option you plan to go with. Tiredness - you'll
have this from jet lag any way, but the surgery will add to it, I'm afraid.
Be sure you will have relaxation time available regularly. Give thought
to what types of activities you'll be doing. Will you be just casually
visiting family and friends or will you be doing heavy duty sightseeing.
The latter may simply be too much. Exercise in the form of walking is very
good immediately after surgery, but there's a limit as to how much you can
do. I forgot, ask for a wheelchair through the various airports, and be
sure you have a cart or someone to carry your luggage, including small
carry-ons. You shouldn't be lifting, pushing or pulling 20 pounds for at
least 2 months post op. I'm not trying to rain your your parade, it sounds
like a fabulous trip, but I think youa nd those around you will get a lot
more enjoyment out of it if you can postpone it a month or 2. And just
think, you'll be doing it substantially lighter:) Enjoy!
— Paula G.
August 1, 2000
I know it may be disappointing to cancel such a nice trip, but you may want
to consider it. In my own experience, this would have been too soon to
take such a long trip. The suggestions below were good ones. I had
trouble sitting up straight in a chair for several weeks - it was too
uncomfortable. I know you can walk around in the plane cabins, but that
only goes if there's no turbulence or other type conditions, in which case
they don't allow you to walk around. I would also hesitate to be so far
away from my surgeon in case of difficulties. Not that you should expect
them (mine went flawlessly), but one never knows. If you do go, be sure to
take your surgeon's office and emergency phone numbers, pain med
prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea, gas, laxatives,
etc. Europeans don't have the same store hours we do - they are not open
nearly as late, in general, and you don't want to be explaining that you
need diarrhea medicine to someone when you needed it yesterday! Someone's
comment about there being different food and different water was a very
good point. Even when I travel in different parts of the US, I notice a
difference. As suggested, take 1-2 different size pillows for the plane.
If you cough, it helps the pain when you hold a pillow against your chest.
This will also ensure the airplane seat buckle doesn't bind you. It's very
important that you give thought to your sleeping arrangements. Most of us
find it difficult to lie flat in bed for quite a while, and we use either a
recliner, hospital bed or tons of pillows. Be sure you are properly
outfitted with wherever option you plan to go with. Tiredness - you'll
have this from jet lag any way, but the surgery will add to it, I'm afraid.
Be sure you will have relaxation time available regularly. Give thought
to what types of activities you'll be doing. Will you be just casually
visiting family and friends or will you be doing heavy duty sightseeing.
The latter may simply be too much. Exercise in the form of walking is very
good immediately after surgery, but there's a limit as to how much you can
do. I forgot, ask for a wheelchair through the various airports, and be
sure you have a cart or someone to carry your luggage, including small
carry-ons. You shouldn't be lifting, pushing or pulling 20 pounds for at
least 2 months post op. I'm not trying to rain your your parade, it sounds
like a fabulous trip, but I think youa nd those around you will get a lot
more enjoyment out of it if you can postpone it a month or 2. And just
think, you'll be doing it substantially lighter:) Enjoy!
— Paula G.
February 1, 2001
My surgeon said that as long as you are feeling fine there is no problem
with traveling 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. I had Lap/RNY on 1/25/01 and
will be traveling to South Africa on 2/24/01. I am letting my travel agent
know about my special needs - ride to and from gate, isle seat, soft food
diet. I have also requested a small regridgerator and bottled water in my
hotel room. I guess I will know better after my trip!
— T. C.
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