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10 days post hysterectomy plans for travelling in a car

Posted , 10 users are following.

MaryJay
MaryJay

hello all. I am having a total hysterectomy with prolapse repairs (vaginally with laproscopic assistance) in three weeks. on day 10 post surgery my extended family are expecting me to join them for a family holiday. Its 4 hours travel and I am very nervous about how I will be able to cope. I am 55 and not super fit if that makes any difference. Any advice much appreciated

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Gillian22766
    Gillian22766 MaryJay

    Edited

    Hi Mary

    it is a big operation and trust me when i say you will need lots of rest, day 10 i was knackerd all the time it too early to travel, you will still need lots of support.

    things i was told and i am 4 years on and i still have issues at times

    • DO NOT pick anything up evan a kettle
    • Do not vac
    • bend correctly
    • do not push to poo
    • sleep and rest when your body tels you

    also the repair will need to looked after in refrence to pooing correctly i would sugest you get the below prior to the operation i was told dont sit on the toilet longer than 3 mins put two books under your feet when on the toilet to get a better sitting position

    stuff to get in befour the op

    -green tea for wind its a killer

    -movicol to help you poo soft three a day did it for me, sold at the chemist

    -emroyd cream i hot these bad

    take the tablets the doctor gives you they help

    everyone is diffrent but take care love

    good luck love it was a long road for me xxx

    Gill

    • MaryJay
      MaryJay Gillian22766

      Edited

      Thank you so much Gill. I will take everything you have suggested on board x

  • beverly94512
    beverly94512 MaryJay

    Edited

    Hi MaryJay,

    I can totally understand your concern.

    My experience i had Dec 4th ... total hysterectomy , cut vertical from navel to pelvic. ouch ouch ouch it was painful .

    Now your question is how is Travel.

    I did not Travel till Dec 25th for a Christmas

    gathering. ( 3 weeks)

    My pain was not intense at that date due to 3 weeks of healing , i was comfortable that way. I did not drive. Husband did.

    The day did give me a lot of fatigue.

    The drive , visit, walking about.

    I was exhausted to say the least.

    I felt it for 2 days after.

    If this is an over nighter. Allow yourself to nap. You will need rest .

    I believe you should allow yourself to make the decision to go or not to go closer to the holiday . I know from my experience ... i wanted to be close to comfort ( home).

    My trip was 45 min.

    4 Hrs is a long drive, i would have said No for that length looking back.

    You don't know how your gonna feel until than . Explain that to your family.

    Hope this helps.

    Bev

    • beverly94512
      beverly94512 MaryJay

      Edited

      I am glad to help.

      just remember ....

      Its ok to miss a family function

      Healing is first.

  • teresa18627
    teresa18627 MaryJay

    Edited

    gosh that's a long journey to attempt but you can only judge it yourself but didn't even attempt a journey until a least 3 months on. I found sitting so uncomfortable and painful. Just be aware you may put your recovery back. take things slowly.

  • welshgirl67
    welshgirl67 MaryJay

    Edited

    hi there

    I would not be think if a holiday that soon after yiur surgery hun.

    I was not allowed to travel for 8 weeks after my tvh and anterior repair and I had a very smooth recovery than most.

    I don't think yiu can travel on a flight that soon after anisthetic9 due to DVT also.

    speak to yiur consultant

  • amanda31957
    amanda31957 MaryJay

    Posted

    Hi, hope this helps, I had a full abdominal hysterectomy and travelled 3hrs about 12 days later, what helped me was stopping half way and having some thing to eat and drink, and stretching my legs. I was going to visit my daughter in uni, and she wanted to show me the sights, so i borrowed a wheel chair and did use it, as i found walking and standing to be painful in the beginning. listen to your body as it will tell you when you've over done it. Also sit on a pillow in the car, to avoid any bumps from potholes. xx

    • Missklp75
      Missklp75 amanda31957

      Posted

      Hi ladies!

      I too traveled for 3 hours 12 days after my surgery. I had a full abdominal surgery, bikini cut, leaving only the ovaries. I drove myself! I had my seat as far back as I could have it while still being able to see so I was practically driving with my arms and legs fully stretch out. lol But I wanted to be as comfortable as I could driving while still having control of the car. I also had a small pillow under my seat belt covering the incision area so the belt wasn't so hard on my belly. That helped a lot. I'm 15 weeks post op and I still use the small pillow! I only stopped once to stretch my legs and take the pressure off of my pelvic area. I found that doing kegals while I drove actually helped a bit for pain. I was with family for Christmas so they waited on me hand and foot so I was very relaxed and always had my feet up and in a comfortable position. It was just SO hard not to laugh and hurt so much when I did and I have a VERY funny family! I kept a pillow over my incision with me at all times so when I did have to laugh(or cough, or use the bathroom) that helped. We did some walking at a casino, when I felt pain I sat down. I only stayed for about 2-3 hours. I saw it as exercise which is needed. I pretty much just rested the whole visit and took it very easy. I have to note I was extremely fit before surgery, lifting heavy weights and doing HIIT workouts so having a very strong core helped me with the driving and turning my head...though I still felt some pain and took it easy none the less.

  • Bellat8
    Bellat8 MaryJay

    Posted

    Hi MaryJay

    I am 54 and had that same surgery 4 weeks ago.

    I live over 5 hours drive from the hospital where I had surgery.

    Surgery was Monday, my husband and I drove home on Friday, day 4, depending how you count it. We stopped a few times, I wasnt keen to eat, just wanted to get home, I walked 3-4 minutes at each stop and went to bed when we arrived home, around 730pm.. All was good.

    I hope you made it to your family and enjoyed their company..

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