Road trip 11 days post op...am i crazy? is it possible?

When I started planning my vsg I thought it would be in late January or February. But then my paperwork was lost in the shuffle of personnel changes. After 3 phone calls, they found it and praise God it is now scheduled for March 5th. However I had planned a girls wekend at an awesome conference for the 16th. Now I am trying to figure out if I will feel up for it at 11 days post.

The trip would be a six hour car ride and two nights in a hotel. I know I'll be on mooshies at that point and I don't think the food would be a problem, but I wonder about the pain. Any thoughts from those who have been there?

 Couldnt have paid me to do something like that. At 11 days out, I was still BFF with my recliner and barely comfortable enough to start sleeping in my bed.  I'd also be a little worried about blood clots still at 11 days out from all that sitting. Might wanna check with your doc about that though. 


My personal advice - no way. You are having major surgery. This isnt a little minor operation. They are cutting through you and cutting and stapling and sewing a major organ - even if you feel up to sitting that much, your focus at 11 days out needs to be staying hydrated and recovering.  You have the rest of your life to have fun so I personally wouldn't risk it.

Of course, Im speaking from personal experience and decided I was fine after 2 weeks to go to the beach and climb up a flight of 70 stairs. Ironically, I survived that and then slipped and fell in a puddle at the top - it delayed my recovery for weeks. So take it from me and take it easy. 

I appreciate your experience...thank you for sharing. I had asked the nurse, and she said yeah sure it would probably be okay. But I think she also felt bad b/c my paperwork had been lost and she didn't want to tell me that I couldn't do it b/c they made a mistake that prolonged my surgery date. And she's never had the surgery.

Thank you...it's a good point that there's the rest of my life for this. I was kind of wondering if I would even be comfortable to sit in the car...I hadn't thought about the risk of blood clots and stuff. Thanks!

Some people have no pain and swear they feel perfect after just a few days.  This was not me!  I don't know if it was because of my additional hernia repair during the surgery or not, but I definitely needed my pain meds, and was not comfortable sleeping in a regular bed at 11 days out (had to sleep in the recliner).  And riding in the car for that long - no thank you!  I'd say it was about the three week mark that I started feeling more up to normal activity.

Also, I don't know that you'll really feel fine with the food.  Unless maybe your hotel room has a fridge and microwave, then you have a bit more flexibility.  At about that point, I was having lots of, umm, bathroom issues if you will, related to a lactose intolerance I developed after surgery.  It took me a bit of time to figure out the problem but I'm glad I didn't have to deal with anyone but my husband and 5 yr old during that time!

It is a really big adjustment and I personally wouldn't try it that soon.  Give yourself some real time to recover.

Everyone has a different recovery time that is true. Hoever, I was ready to go back to work after a week and I also had a hernia repaired at the same time as my VSG.
If you go on this trip, make sure that you stop frequently and get out and walk for a few minutes each time. Also,take premixed protein shakes with you. That way you won't have to worry about mixing anything. At the conference, make sure that you can sit somewhere where you can get up and walk around.
I don't think you will have any problem finding the right foods you need to eat, so that won't be an issue. As for the pain, just make sure you take your pain meds with you and if you need them you have them.
HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE CONFERENCE!

It can be done, with frequent stops. I had to take a road trip TWO days after surgery to attend my aunt's funeral. I took my painkillers and stopped frequently to walk and stretch my legs. Of course, my trip was only 3-4 hours. Enjoy...

I was one of the lucky ones, completely pain-free and feeling entirely normal at a week out.  I could have done it easily--unfortunately there's no telling ahead of time how you're gonna feel...are the other girls going to the conference whether you do or not?  You may just have to plan for either scenario and play it by ear.  Good luck with your surgery!

Thanks everyone! You all gave me some really good pointers! I think I might be able to do it, but I have decided to skip it this year. That way it's one less thing to worry about or pressure myself to accomplish. This is a big change and I really don't want to jepordize any of my progess or learning moments. I'm a little bummed about missing the trip. But WAY excited about my surgery - ONE WEEK AWAY!!! Yay!  Thanks again!!!!