I am having surgery in one state then flying home to a different state.
How long after surgery do you have a follow up visit and can that be done with my local Orthopaedic Dr where I live?
Robin
stokesrobin
Ask your doctor for his recommendation. Even though my doctor said that I could fly as soon as I was out of the hospital, personally I chose to wait until the 4th day after surgery, staying at the hotel across from the hospital just in case any complications showed up in those first few days. I would strongly suggest asking for a bulkhead seat, in part because it is near the restrooms during a long flight.
and the bulkhead seat might have a little more leg room. I was in a 6 hour car ride at 31 hours after surgery. The first one was a little rough, the second one was much better.
I think the whole messing about in the airport and waiting in lines, and all that stuff adds a lot more discomfort than simply jumping in a car and being able to stop and get out once in awhile. I don't think I would have wanted to mess around in an airport and airplane at 1 or 2 days post op. I like John's post, I'd say 4 days is good. Lots of initial swelling, tenderness, getting use to crutches, narcotics messing with your guts,...things were more stable with regards to all that about 3 days post op. Good luck
Thanks for the input John, and the question Robin. I will let you know my experiences within the next month. I am having surgery on a Thursday, and flying out on a Sunday effectively day 3. Only a 1.5 hour drive and 1 1/4 hour flight and for safety I did get bulkhead for my wife and I. My biggest fear is the cross border stuff being Cdn, and I do hope you have a direct flight
And how long after surgery do you have a follow up visit or can that be done with my local Orthopedic Dr where I live?
Robin
My doc did not want me to follow up at a different doc's office. I returned to his office by choice at 7 weeks post op. I did a long distance paper follow up after hip 2, which was an option for both.
I hope you find answers for your circumstance.
Dee