Hi,

My surgery FINALLY was approved.... hoping to have on the 15th or 17th of this month.

My question is Fly or Drove home..... Driving...non stop, would be a little over 4 hours.

Flying is affordable, as long as I really get to go home after 5 days.

Any input?
Thanks TOS GERL

what kind of roads/traffic/vehicle/driver?
could you stop for breaks if needed or even overnight if it got very painful?

vs

airport/crowds/walking to/from or w/wheelchair?

might be a good thing to ask surgeon's opinion on also- since the choice could impact recovery & future outcome...
either way some extra meds for traveling should be given to help you out.

how long would the flight and airport time take?

My Father will be driving, and he drives like a crazy man... slams the breaks ect... we have to travel 7 different freeways, 5 are super heavy traffic and screwed up roads... I dont think he would want to or be willing to stop overnight, however I have talked to him about having to maybe stop A LOT and it wont be a straight drive home. The hospital to Airport is 15 miles and its a 55 min flight home, that is why I was thinking of flying, my only possible problem is getting a ride to the airport from hospital, its in San Francisco. I will ask the DR on Monday when I talk to him.

Thanks

If you did go by car it would have to be a very smooth & stress free driver...

smooth roomy comfortable car
lots of extra pillows for propping and padding
maybe even a note for no seatbelt use ?? not sure how others did that part - last thing you need is a jerk or pressure on the area

plane might be best...

hospital shuttle ride to airport perhaps?
but hopefully someone would be with you at that time too?

I can't remember how soon some of the others flew or "drove" home after their surgery.

Hi TOS Gerl,

I had surgery several years ago and was released from hospital 2 days later. I stayed an extra night in hotel then flew home (1 hop), 2 hr flight by myself. I have to say, dealing with the airport on my own was quite difficult, even though I planned ahead (knowing i wouldn't be able to lift/carry much) and brought only a small carry-on bag with the bare-minimum supplies. It was difficult navigating through security w/only one arm, not to mention getting around the airport. The airline did let me board first, which saved some hassle. The flight was uncomfortable and I felt like fainting half the time. I know a car ride would also be subject to quite a bit of jostling around, but I would definitely vote for driving (at least now that i realize YOU won't be driving - at first I thought you were going to attempt to drive yourself and was going to say you are insane!!). It really does make a difference having someone with you when you check out of the hospital, get your bags for you, etc. Plus if y'all drive, you can stop for stretch breaks as needed, if the car gets to be too much.

Best of luck for your surgery! Prayers for a good outcome.

I would drive.

I live about 6 hours from the hospital in Kelowna. Two days post-op I was released from the hospital. We had intended to stay one night in Kelowna before starting the drive home but I said to my wife who was driving, "lets just do it now." and off we went. We drove 4 hours, stayed in a hotel, and did the last 3 hours the next day. We stopped about every hour for me to stand and readjust. Take lots of pillows.

Your choice is a 4 hour drive or a 1 hour flight. I fly quite a bit for work and a 1 hour flight is almost a 4 hour event anyways; getting to airport, checkin, security, gates, flight, drive home. The biggest difference is that the airport and plane is a very public place. Given your condition it will be much more comfortable being in a private place such as your car. Uugh, couldn't imagine flying after getting out of the hospital.

Trust me, you'll do fine in the car.