Silly Question

[FLAN]

My husband is deathly scared of flying. He has never been on a plane (had to trick him into getting on a roller coaster in FL on our honeymoon), and he is the one going with me to have my surgery. We live in Oklahoma and he is wondering if there is ANY WAY POSSIBLE if I would be able to ride back in a car. He is wanting to drive out there and back. He doesn't want me to go have the surgery without him, he just can't figure out how to get out there with me if I can't do the car ride home. PLEASE HELP!

Flan

[sunnee01]

My husband is deathly scared of flying. He has never been on a plane (had to trick him into getting on a roller coaster in FL on our honeymoon), and he is the one going with me to have my surgery. We live in Oklahoma and he is wondering if there is ANY WAY POSSIBLE if I would be able to ride back in a car. He is wanting to drive out there and back. He doesn't want me to go have the surgery without him, he just can't figure out how to get out there with me if I can't do the car ride home. PLEASE HELP!

Flan

I would think the major concern, for you, would be that you need to get up and move every few hours. Sitting for several hours at a time, after having surgery, can lead to complications like blood clots. I would check with either Lori or Carolyn and see if there are any recommendations for driving home vs. driving.

:-?

[mlgpdx]

I doubt there would be any problem. Take breaks, walk around, drink fluids and have your pain meds handy. If your husband is more comfortable driving then just consider it lots of "alone time" on the trip back and forth. good luck.

>

[Diva]

Hello there,

I was banded on April 30th and would consider my recovery thus far to have been a fairly easy one - no complications to speak of. In spite of that, I still don't feel all that comforable sitting for long periods of time. Not unbearably painful but not comfortable either. A long drive would seem quite miserable to me even at this point. The incision area sometimes feels cramped and even painful when sitting. I'm sure that everyone is different but I find that I'm most comfortable standing, walking or lying down. This was especially true in days 1-5. I spent an uncomfortable 4 hours driving home from Mexico to Los Angeles three days after surgery. For me, the thought of driving as far as you are considering would not be a happy option. Just my opinion. Best wishes.

[Blazn]

Our flight was 6 hours and it was miserable. I had a lot of shoulder pain and the only way to releive it was to stand up which is something you can't do when driving or flying. (except for occasionally). I cannot imagine having to be in a car for any longer period of time. Some people did not have this pain at all. As far as the incisions go, you should really be fine. There was minimal tenderness.

If you really want to fly, you should remind him that there is a much greater chance of something happening (like a wreck) on the ground than in the air. If it were me, I do believe I would have to do some persuading. I hate driving for long periods of time. 8 hours is about all I can do!! But keep us posted on your decision.

[Jenn]

I've been married 20 years now and In my experience you do what makes both of you happy. Yes, my husband too is so afraid to fly but I have to understand his feelings as well. So it sounds like you are definitely considering his and for both of you to be happy and comfortable in just the decision you make would be to drive. Just pull over and walk as much as you can, every gas stop, every viewing point when you feel the need. I bet both of you will be Happy in the end that both of you were comfortable, him not having to fly and being there for you and you having him there for you. There is always pain associated with surgeries and you will get through it with him by your side .

[FLAN]

Thank you all for your advice. I am going to call Lori today and talk to her about this and some other questions that my hubby has. I think I would be fine if we did decide to drive. I would be able to stop and see the sights along whole way. lol I think it could be fun as long as I keep my meds with me. I have never been to CA the furthest I have been in CO so I think it could be fun and like Jenn said the two of us on a trip like that would be a great memory. I would be able to sleep, pull over and walk when I needed to. I will keep you posted on my decision.

> Thanks again.

Flan

[Claire]

I say give your husband a Valium and a cocktail and get him on the plane.

That is whats best for you at this point. That is too long of a drive to do after this

procedure (my opinion), and this is your journey. Maybe he would be

o.k if your/ his mom went w/ you.

just a thought

Claire

[Holly]

I have made the drive from Oklahoma from Arizona many times(my family lives in Ponca City and Tulsa)...it IS long...but I honestly think you would be fine...as long as you can stop and stretch and walk around. You will I am sure not want to drive straight through...maybe spend the night in Albuquerque or Tucumcari. I think it would be fine though.

[mona-camille]

I think it depends on how you heal and your pain level. I stayed an extra night and flew home and the flight was 6+ hours. I had to fly to the far east coast of Pa. I didn't have a single problem. But, I also didn't have any pain after surgery either. I personally would have had no problem driving whatsoever. Just make sure your husband does not drive fast over bumps and potholes. That would hurt! Plus, take a small pillow with you to hold under your belly and that will help if you do have pain. So, I would say stay the extra night before you drive home. The hotel is cheap enough, $80 I think. If you end up having a problem half way home, get another room and stay the night again.

It's just hard to say. I was terribly afraid to fly because of the pain but I ended up not having any so I was fine. But, who knows how you will feel and recover.

[FLAN]

We are going to stay an extra night. We will also probably stay a night in San Diego before leaving to come back home. So I would be there for two or three days after my surgery before heading back home. We are staying the extra day or two no matter what before I head back home.

[LoraLW]

Flan, everyone is different. However my friends and I drove home the day after I had the procedure. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive and I was fine. I do agree that you should take breaks and walk and make sure you get fluids in you. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Jacklynrae]

I had a 4 hour drive from the airport we flew into and our home at the time. I think that was the easiest way to do it, I was much more comfortable. Maybe because it was later in the day so pain was very minimal, or maybe just knowing I am not scrunched in between two big guys. I think that if you take the extra day after surgery driving will be fine. I live in Texas so I know it will take hours and hours, my husband was stationed in San Diego and it took him 17 hours to get here from there. But it will be fun, more relaxing and a great opportunity to bond. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Jenn]

Flan, everyone is different. However my friends and I drove home the day after I had the procedure. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive and I was fine. I do agree that you should take breaks and walk and make sure you get fluids in you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi Flan,

Well it sound like your hanging around a bit. So you will have a head start on the healing process and walking not to mention some beautiful scenery. Good Luck and we will all be praying you have a fabulous trip home with hubby !!!

[Paula Bee]

Nobody brought this up, but the surgery itself is so non-invasive and physically traumatic that I don't think your hubby needs to go except to settle his own nerves. Lots of women go by themselves and have a great time.

Also, flying takes a LOT of time considering the time you have to arrive to check in and go through security, layovers, etc. It may be just as long as the car ride.

Just some thoughts to share.

[calicat]

Your question isn't silly at all - it's quite valid!!

I personally was quite uncomfortable on the flight home - and it was a non-stop 2 hour flight! Standing up or laying down horizontally felt better for me than sitting up.

I had my surgery on a Friday and flew home Sunday. I intended to work full days M-F, but on Monday, I only lasted about 2.5 hours. I progressively was able to lengthen my time by 30 mins each day. My back hurt, my stomach hurt. I got gas pains - which showed up in my shoulder.

I'm sorry, but if you're asking for opinions, I have to be honest and say no. Unless you stop every 2 hours to walk around, and recline in your seat to lay down - that would be the only way. You're not going to want to sit up in the upright position for very long. And even then, I'm not sure how comfortable you're going to be feeling. I didn't have any pain after my surgery, so pain wasn't the issue. It's your muscles, and how your body is overcompenating for the surgery. Dr. Martinez helped me thru it so I could work longer hours at my desk job.

Up to you though - good luck

[Allcdngirl]

Okay.. I have a question. If you're taking the Gas-X strips/Phazyme, does it make you pass the gas?? I will be bringing both with me. I will be back to work 5 days after being banded, and I'm at a sit down job, and have approx. 5 - 1 hr appt's a day. Will I be needing to leave my appt to pass gas outside in another office??

[The Redhead]

Okay.. I have a question. If you're taking the Gas-X strips/Phazyme, does it make you pass the gas?? I will be bringing both with me. I will be back to work 5 days after being banded, and I'm at a sit down job, and have approx. 5 - 1 hr appt's a day. Will I be needing to leave my appt to pass gas outside in another office??

Hi Allcdn... Everybody is different but my gas was mostly up, not down. However, I'm still burping without warning. Every once in a while I'll bend over and a HUGE BurPPPP will sneak out. I don't even know they're coming lots of time. Also, I'm still occasionally having shoulder pain, which is gas trapped in the diaphragm and causing referral pain in the nerve endings in your shoulder. When I first had my surgery the shoulder pain was INTENSE but it's getting much better. It would have been difficult for me to work for the first week after.

...But, another problem... sitting for a 'sit down job' for long periods of a time can be hard on the tummy. Try to remember to get up regularly and take a walk.

[Paula Bee]

BTW, there are no silly questions, only silly answers... haven't seen any here... yet..

Really, if you have a question and ask it, no matter how silly it is, then there are many others who are just too shy to ask that same question. You have done them a service by asking.

[mona-camille]

Your question isn't silly at all - it's quite valid!!

I personally was quite uncomfortable on the flight home - and it was a non-stop 2 hour flight! Standing up or laying down horizontally felt better for me than sitting up.

I had my surgery on a Friday and flew home Sunday. I intended to work full days M-F, but on Monday, I only lasted about 2.5 hours. I progressively was able to lengthen my time by 30 mins each day. My back hurt, my stomach hurt. I got gas pains - which showed up in my shoulder.

I'm sorry, but if you're asking for opinions, I have to be honest and say no. Unless you stop every 2 hours to walk around, and recline in your seat to lay down - that would be the only way. You're not going to want to sit up in the upright position for very long. And even then, I'm not sure how comfortable you're going to be feeling. I didn't have any pain after my surgery, so pain wasn't the issue. It's your muscles, and how your body is overcompenating for the surgery. Dr. Martinez helped me thru it so I could work longer hours at my desk job.

Up to you though - good luck

Just goes to show how ALL bodies are different. I felt best sitting up. Laying down was bad for me. Isn't that funny?

[FLAN]

Thank you all for your opinions. We have decided to drive out to CA. We are going to leave on the evening of the 29th and drive out there. I am going to stay an extra day at the resort. We are going to take our time on the way home. He took off the entire week of the second and I am off for the summer so I don't have to be in a big hurry to get back. We are planning on it taking three or four days to get home that way I don't have to stay seated for long periods of time. I am really looking forward to a road trip (hopefully on the next one I will be at least 50 pounds lighter) I can't wait!!!

Thanks,

Heidi

[momonamission]

Thank you all for your advice. I am going to call Lori today and talk to her about this and some other questions that my hubby has. I think I would be fine if we did decide to drive. I would be able to stop and see the sights along whole way. lol I think it could be fun as long as I keep my meds with me. I have never been to CA the furthest I have been in CO so I think it could be fun and like Jenn said the two of us on a trip like that would be a great memory. I would be able to sleep, pull over and walk when I needed to. I will keep you posted on my decision.

> Thanks again.

Flan

I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE GO ALONE. LISA AND I ARE GOING AND WE DO NOT MING KEEPING YOU COMPANY. I KNOW HE WANTS TO GO, BUT IF HE IS ONLY GOING TO STRESS YOU OUT IS IT REALLY WORTH IT? I AM LEAVING MY MAN AT HOME. HE WOULD COMPLETELY STRESS ME OUT. I WAS LUCKY TO GET A FRIEND TO DO IT WITH ME. GOOD LUCK. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.