long drive home

[leanne22]

I'll have a 10 - 12 hour drive home after my surgery with Dr. Gross and I must admit I'm pretty nervous about it.  We have a Corolla but could bring my daughter's mini van instead.  It seems like having the ability to stretch out or lay down would be pretty helpful for overall comfort.  Does anybody have an opinion about that or any other tips to share about comfort on the drive home?

[IslandCatt]

Personally, I'd go for the mini-van. I think it would be very helpful to have the option to go in the back and stretch out more.

[sdunn4]

I rode home 16 hours over 2 days after surgery with Dr. Gross one year and a day ago.  My wife drove and I relaxed with the ice machine and strong medicine.  As long as you can lean back and stretch out you'll be fine; we drove in a good sized station wagon.  You'll be fine after the surgery as long as you follow Dr. Gross's medicine regimen and use the ice machine!

Good luck,

Steve

[Woodstock Hippy]

Leanne, I hope not but are you planning to do the driving?

[lycraman]

I hope you're not driving, especially if you're lying down in the back of a van!!

I would also take a nice big pillow as the 'bucket type' car seat can really irritate the scar and cause more pain and discomfort than anything.  Sitting on a pillow can lift your scar out of the way of the seat irritation.

I had a 3 hour journey and it was much better than I anticipated but it was 5/6 days post op by then.

[hernanu]

I'd go with the van and plan on stops to get out and walk a bit. I had a one hour ride in the back of a sedan, felt much better once I was out and moving a bit.

[Dee Dee]

I had an 8 hour drive home in the front seat of a sonata. I used the ice machine and stayed on the pain meds.  I got out 2 times to eat, stretch, and use the bathroom. My foot did swell a little.  It was back to normal the next day.  You should be fine.

[leanne22]

My husband will definitely be doing all of the driving. Thanks for the suggestions and reassurance!

[Dan L]

Van, ice, meds and pillow for your posterior will be the best bet.  That is a very long drive. If you can remove the seats from your van and get a decent pad/matress in there, I would do that if I were you.

Thanks

Dan