Warning flying right after surgery

 After my experience on my return flight home last night after my pre op appointment in Toronto helped me to confirm my decision to drive to and from my surgery. Here is what happened: we took of  early at 9:15 pm, (was 9:25), once in the air I was watching a beauty light show ouside my window and the pilot came on the PA and said we were to be rerouted to Sudbury because there was no straight path available to the Sault. It took us 20 minutes to get to the Sudbury airport. We were told we could get up and stretch our legs (those that have flown Porter know there is no room), but we could not get off the plane. We were in the plane on the tarmac for well over an hour. Once we could take off we had to remain seated with out belts on, (a majority of the way from Toronto to Sudbury the belts had to remain on as well).  A normal 1 hour and 20 minute flight took us over 4 hours.  I was sore and stiff last night and also today from the experience I could never imagine doing that after surgery. Needless to say the 8 hour car ride home is the better choice because I can get out at any time to move around or spend a night in a hotel along the way. So those of you thinking of flying home after surgery please keep this in mind. I know a few people that flew home the same day they were released I couldn’t imagine what and experience like this would had been like for them. I few pretty much all winter for appointments and never once did something like this happening,  yet it happened in the middle of summer. PLEASE, PLEASE really think about your options of getting home after surgery, I know I have.

thanks for shairng your experience..yes being able to get out of a car every hour or so is VERY important!!!!

However in the defense of the airline, I am sure had you spoken to the airline attendant and explained that in order to avoid having an embolism, you needed to walk for a few minutes I think they would have made allowances.

 Yes, I'm sure while on the ground they would have made allowances but while in the air it was unsafe to stand or take our belts off. The plane is small with little leg room so you couldn't even do very much leg exercising. My many concern is for those flying the same day or next day after being released form the hospital. Especially those is Northern Ontario or other remote locations where there are no Dr. with little to NO knowledge of WLS, Therefore once back home if something had gone wrong medically during the flight there would be no appropiate help for them.

Hi Heidi,

I thought that for those patients living more than 2 hours away from Toronto, they are supposed to stay in a hotel nearby for the first little while?

Judy

 They do recommend that Judy, but some people choose not to for their own reasons. So because they can't afford it, so because they think nothing will happen and for other reasons. Me, myself I'm staying 4 days more after being released from the hosptial. I knwo the Dr's here in the Sault don't know anything about WLS and they have told me that. I even went to the ER here to enquire if they would have any knowledge as to what to do in an emergancy and they wouldn't. I would be air lifted back to Toronto.

Any ER has the capacity to call your WLS centre and speak to a surgeon on call, who would be more familiar with WLS, tho. If you can't get to a WLS centre for an emergent situation that you think is likely due to your surgery, you (or a family member) should insist that they call a WLS centre, preferably one where you had your surgery.

The same thing can happen in a vehicle too.  What if there is an accident on the 400 or the road is closed due to ice, you are stuck in a vehicle.  Sure you can get out and walk a bit but it is still a crap shoot.  I have had numerous surgeries in Toronto and have flown home as soon as released.  I have never had a problem with any flights.  **** happens no matter how you travel and you have to be prepared.  You just need to be able to move your feet a bit to keep the blood flowing.

 Due to the increased risk of embolism, at the very least a person flying should be wearing the socks that "squeeze" the blood flow out of lower extremeties (common for diabetic folks with circulation issues) and they should not be in the air for longer than 2 hours or so from an ER specialist I know.  Driving would be a much better idea I would think, though I know this is not possible all the time. Like Tracy said, as long as you can keep moving, which I do all the time as I drive and would be easy to do as a passanger.    Regards, Ian  

Sorry you had such a bad experience BUT driving is definitely NOT the best option for all of us. Driving from Hamilton to Thunder Bay would take 20 hours (give or take) before you take even one break. The flight from Toronto to Thunder Bay takes about 2 hours. The liklihood of developing a clot is much higher in those who chose driving (in this situation.)

I agree with Tracey. Delays can happen no matter your mode of transportation. My Thunder Bay centre specifically advises AGAINST driving home post op. Even 8 hours driving (or less) can put you at risk of developing a clot. It sounds like people should be listening to the advice of their centres on this one.

I agree having flown home to Thunder bay post surgery we have to take a 1hour car ride from Hamilton to Toronto then a 2 hour flight, much easier than the 20 hour drive and safer.

Robin