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Posted 6/25/2010 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

As many of you know, my dad had open surgery on June 10. He is recovering slowly but steadily since then. But he has a way to go. He has booked plane tickets to come see me in Boston on July 15, so a bit more than a month following surgery. Did any of us you travel within the weeks/months following open surgery? Is it realistic for my Dad to plan to come then? He planned the trip before, but wants to keep them.

The travel involves a 4-hour flight -- each way. Thanks everyone.
Posted 6/25/2010 10:14 AM (GMT 0)
I was told that as soon as my cath came out I could resume all normal activities.

If I could push my lawn mower around, your dad shouldn't have any issues sitting in a plane.

Posted 6/25/2010 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I loaded the camper on the truck and drove 3.5 hours to Moab for a week of Jeeping on 6-7 rated trails (on a 1-10 scale) spending 5-8 hours per day on the trail 27 days after open surgery. I got tired sooner than normal but no other issues. My uro's only comment when I asked if I could go was "if I felt up to it" it was OK and "don't over do it".

Keep in mind that every journey is different, 4 hours of sitting may be uncomfortable, if he can get an aisle seat he can stretch his legs and have easier access to the restroom. Refundable tickets or ones with a small re-booking charge in case anything comes up may not be a bad idea.
Posted 6/25/2010 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I spoke to my MD about travel post - DaVinci when I was considering that, He said no worries even as soon as three days after surgery.

However, different from what the other guys heard, I heard no lifting of more than 5-10 pounds for 6 weeks - so you lift your dad's bags, not the way, as he would likely usually insist.

The risk factor for premature exercise, leading to abdominal stress, is incurable lifetime incontinence (for both surgery and HIFU). That has duly impressed me, and should impress your dad.
Posted 6/25/2010 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Will really depend on how your dad is doing at that point in time, hopefully he will be more like some of the posters above. Due to complications, and I had open surgery, I wouldn't have been able to do something like that for at least 3-4 months after my surgery.

The suggestion of an aisle seat was a good one, but it still a long time to sit in one position in a narrow seat.

Hopefully he will do fine, its important for each man to return to the things he likes and wants to do as soon as they are able, so regardless, it might jsut be good medicine in itself.

Good luck to him.

David in SC
Posted 6/25/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Travel should be fine. Go easy on the baggage (lifting, etc.)

Mel

Posted 6/25/2010 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
At six weeks post surgery I flew from Atlanta to NYC then boarded a cruise ship to Bermuda. While in Bermuda rode a moped for 1.5 days.
Was a little tired from the moped riding but did great over all. Of course a lot depends on what type of shape your dad is in also pre-surgery.

Good luck.

larry
Posted 6/25/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Lifting / carrying bags would be my concern. At that point I was on serious restrictions, and would not have been able to manage any kind of bag.

Also, if he has incontinence issues, it could complicate things with the way they restrict people to their seats in the last parts of flights now. I would have been a soggy mess.
Posted 6/26/2010 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys. Yeah, the bags might be an issue unless they pack very lightly and have my mom handle the bags. My Dad had open surgery (recommended by the surgeon who does both) so that also means a slower healing time.
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