If you traveled for surgery 2 QUESTIONS

Hi.  I am traveling 7 hours for my surgery which will be open.  I am using Dr. Spaw in Nashville.  I will have to stay in Nashville for 5 additional days after I am released from the hospital because I will see him for a follow up.

1. What do I need to look for in a hotel?

2. When you returned home, did you find a support group affiliated with another dr.?

THANKS!

Shannon--I went to Brazil for my surgery so I think I can appreciate the traveling aspect of this process.  A small kitchen is extremely helpful, especially a refrigerator and microwave as you will want to have small quantities of drinks and foods on hand for you and your companion.  Also close proximity to a grocery store is helpful.

We do not have any DS surgeons in my state but through a stroke of luck I became involved with a DS support group an hour and a half from here several months prior to my surgery.  We meet every other month.  They were invaluable as I was making the decision regarding who to choose for my surgeon.  I am so grateful to have found them--or perhaps they found me--through this forum.

Good luck!
Lisa

 Shannon
I traveled three hours for my surgery and stayed in a hotel for a few days because my surgeon wanted me in the area for about a week.

I learned a big lesson.  I stayed on the 10th floor of the hotel, and my first night after being discharged the fire alarm went off.  In a hotel that means you cant use the elevators, so I had to walk down 10 flights (20 sets of stairs).  It really complicated my recovery and I ultimately ended up back in the hospital for nearly two weeks because of problems with my omentum pulling and not healing correctly.  So I would say insist on a first floor room, just in case.

Other than that, if you can get a room with a refrigerator that would be helpful so you can keep plenty of fluids on hand, cold.  

There are no doctors in my immediate area that do the DS, so I dont attend any local support groups.  I have all I want right here.

Unless he's moved his office, there are a couple of hotels very near Dr. Spaw's office that give medical discounts for people who're in town to have surgery. Back when I had my DS, they also ran a shuttle to the hospitals! I think Dr. Spaw's office can give you info about these hotels.

I went to a local supposrt group that was originally started by some of my surgeon's patients, but it was open to anyone. Because it was affiliated with my surgeon, there were other DSers there, which was nice. But since you're 7 hours from a DS surgeon, yu may not be able to find a group that does have other DSers---so be sure you continue to come HERE for advice and support.

Is your PCP knowledgeable abut the DS? Mine wasn't, but she is very good abouot listening to me, and very willing to learn about the DS, which was about the best I could hope for. I think she now has some other DS patients, since I've referred several to her.

Hi Shannon,
I traveled from Alabama to Ohio for my revision. The hospital has a list of discounted hotels. You can request a handicapped room, the grabs etc will be helpful afterwards. I also had a mini kitchen . It was great. Apt size fridge, stovetop, micro and various essential kitchen items. Where I stayed had an extended breakfast as well. Since DH was with me it was great. They also said if need ne they would bring me a plate in the a.m. if needed. I was able to go to breakfast, although I was slow. It worked out great.

No support group near us, I am the only DS'er in this region. Online works fine as there is here and many yahoo groups as well.

I rented a suite so I could try to get comfortable on the couch. A recliner would have been ideal. You definitely need a bed all to yourself. I had my own bed and bedroom which was nice.

No support group here except one that denegrates the DS. This forum IS my support group.

I'm traveling from Wyoming to Texas for my surgery.  We have booked a king suite, so that DH can go into the other room to watch tv and surf the net while I'm resting.  Our suite will have a small refrigerator and a microwave.  The suite also has a walk in shower, so that I don't have to climb over a tub to get into the shower.  Plus, it'll make it easier, in case DH needs to help me while I'm in the shower.  I would look to see if it's close to a pharmacy and grocery store as well.  Oh!  And the new Hilton Garden Inns ans Suites have these amazing adjustable beds!  Many newer hotels also give you a choice of pillow firmness, which I love!  Since you're going to be staying awhile, check into getting a rewards card for which ever chain you want to stay with.  You may end up getting a free night or at the very least, a free meal for your SO.

If you are traveling because there are no facilities near you, check to see if your health insurance has any travel benefits.  Some do, especially if you are traveling to a facility they are mandating.

Good luck!  I will have to travel three hours for mine.

I travelled four hours for surgery and was able to find a nice apartment to stay in for the week.  For example, look at these offerings in Nashville:

www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/Nashville-Tennessee .html


there are other support groups here but they are associated with rny or lapband, not ds,

pp

This board has always been my support group. I had no need for a 3d group, especially one that was not exclusively DSers. When I feel the need to be with other DSers in person, I host a get together and invite people. We've had some awesome experiences doing this. In fact, I'm in the middle of the best one yet right now .