Travel & Going back to work
As my surgical date (2/23/04) gets nearer, my life gets more complicated and
I start stressing more. So, I thought I would pose questions to the group
in the hopes of combating some of my stress.
1. I will be traveling 510 miles by car for my surgery, all but 150 miles
via freeway. Has anyone with Lap RNY (or open RNY) taken that long of a
trip the day (or day after) you were discharged from the hospital?
2. An unbelievable job opportunity has been presented to me, however the
timing just sucks. Has anyone with a Lap RNY (or open RNY) returned to a
desk job a week after their surgery?
3. Am I [(a) stupid, (b) uninformed, (c) too optimistic or (d) reasonably
optimistic] to think I can do these two things?
Wanda Schaffer
5′1″ 240# 54 y/o
November 29th, 2006 at 8:00 am
I really doubt you can drive that far the day after you get out of the
hospital,. You will be very tired, thats for sure.
The day I was discharged I went right to my motel room to bed and slept all
that day and night………next day I was in no condtion for a long trip
home. Took about a week. We had 320 miles to drive………
Judie
November 29th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Hi Wanda, Congradulations on your upcoming surgery. I’ll try and
answer your questions…
1. I rode 200 miles home the day I was discharged from the hospital
after my Lap RNY. The doctor said I must stop every 100 miles and
walk for 15 minutes. It was March and very cold here in MN, so we
stopped at a rest stop and I just walked circles inside the rest stop
building. One problem I had was eating and drinking during that
4-hour drive. My DH brought my milk, jello and water in a cooler for
me. It will be a tough drive, but you will make it if you stop and
walk every 100 miles.
2. I have a desk job and was able to return to it for half days
during week 3. I could not have returned sooner than that. I was 52
at the time, so we are close in age. My two-year anniversary is in 5
weeks. It would not be fair to you or your new employer to try and
start a new job only one week after surgery.
3. Too optimistic I think. You can do the drive, but it will be
uncomfortable. Do your car seats recline? You will not be able to
work one week after surgery. Explain to them you are interested in
the job but they will have to wait a few weeks for you to start. What
about insurance issues? Are you covered now? Will that change with a
job change?
Best wishes to you!
Pamela L in MN
2-28-2002
lost 110 pounds