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Carrying suitcases on holiday

Posted , 9 users are following.

don25191
don25191

My wife and I are hoping to go on holiday to Mauritius in November (long haul flight fromUK)--by then I will be approximately 13/14 weeks from my THR. I'm recovering well (I'm 4 weeks now and walking without sticks) and I fully expect to be given clearance to drive etc at my 6 weeks check up in 2 weeks time.

I'm aware that despite the all clear I will still have to be careful for some time about bending and sitting down, sleeping, playing golf and, I assume, lifting heavy objects.

With that in mind will I be able to carry a 20kg suitcase when we go on holiday in November--for example, putting the case into the car/taxi, lifting it onto the scales at the airport etc etc. My wife isn't able to do this for me so I'm not sure what's going to happen if I am restricted at what I can lift and carry.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Don

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • renee01952
    renee01952 don25191

    Posted

    hi don, 

    good to hear how well you are doing and planing to go on holiday ..

    Mauritius is supposed to be beautiful ..

    I am not sure what to tell you and you might want to ask a porfessional before booking your trip ..

    13/14 weeks post-op THR is not that long, not long enough to fully heal the muscles and tendons etc. surrounding the joint - it is long haul flight and you probably have to change planes ... Definitely ask for airport assistance - nothing embaressing about that - some airports have long distance to cover -

    When you have the clearance from surgeon and requested wheelchair assitance, your luggage will be taken care off ...

    then bring a lot of small change and pay someone to carry your suitcases -

    I am not joking - no need to be a hero and end up with dislocated hip in Mauritius ....

    I have been in travel for four decades - 

    If you are determined to book anyway take out cancellation insurance and make sure pre-existing illness etc. are covered ....

    I know, I am a horrible wet blanket here ... maybe you can find a holiday destination closer to home and enjoy this adventurous one to the fullest another time - 

    in closing:   this is my personal response okay -- I would however get clearance from professional --

    big warm hug

    renee

    • don25191
      don25191 renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Renee. The hospital information booklet given to me following surgery suggests no long haul flights (over 4 hours) should be planned until 3 months after surgery and I assume that relates to the risk of DVT. Our proposed Mauritius holiday will be a few weeks more than 3 months.

      My main concern, however, is lifting a  big suitcase--I suppose the question I have is a general one of when can you start considering lifting heavy objects?

      I understand what you say about maybe choosing a holiday destination nearer home but it would still invlove lifting the cases.

      Don

    • renee01952
      renee01952 don25191

      Posted

      I know. .... and I am not able to find an answer anywhere ......what does it mean:no heavy objects. .I asked my surgeon at last check up and he explained what happens when I lift something. .so easy to pull a muscle. ..

      I had 2 THR surgeries within 6 months and the lifting question is still present..

      Don, I wish I had the answer. ....

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK don25191

    Posted

    If I were you, I'd get a rolling suitcase with wheels, and have everyone else lift it when it needs to be lifted. The cab driver will lift it for you. If your wife has her own bag that she has to carry and lift, and if she doesn't have to carry yours (because it has wheels on it), then perhaps she'd be able to lift yours up and down a couple of times, like for the scales or into and out of a car.

    Your trip sounds like a very ambitious one, considering you will only be 6 weeks out. You might not be ready. I know that I wouldn't have been, but I was 68 when I had my THR. Best of luck.

    • don25191
      don25191 AnnieK

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Annie. We do have suitcases with wheels and I like your idea of the cab driver lifting the cases but there are so many other occasions when we'll need to lift the cases ourselves eg when we've finished packing them at home and at the hotel, at the airport and getting into the hotel--unfortunately my wife is not strong enough to do this so in the past that's been my job. Perhaps I should get the wife to do some weight training in advance!

      It'll be 12/13 weeks when we go (if we do) so hopefully by then I will have healed sufficiently to do the occasional lifting.

      Don

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK don25191

      Posted

      I certainly hope so! You could also try to pack lighter.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK don25191

    Posted

    I like the suggestions here - a case on wheels can probably also be tipped onto most airport scales - rather than 'dead lifting'.

    You certainly do not want to damage your shiny new hip.

    Have a great holiday.

    Graham

     

    • don25191
      don25191 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi Graham.

      I'm not sure that the cases we have with wheels can be tipped onto the scales as you suggest--I'll check it out. The more I hear from others on this forum the more I think it might be a bit early for us to go on a long haul flight so soon after the operation (12/13 weeks).

      Shame because I could really do with a holiday in the sun!

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK don25191

      Posted

      We have a case with 4 wheels, and handle on top and one on the side, I get it close to the scales by first using the top handle, then tip it up using the side handle.   Still quite heavy, but not as bad as a straight lift.

      I must admit however, 12/13 weeks would have been too soon for me.

    • don25191
      don25191 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      That's good advice although my cases only have two wheels which will not allow me to tip them onto their sides. I'm sure there'll be someone in the queue who will offer to help though?

  • Fernlady
    Fernlady don25191

    Posted

    Hi Don, one of the questions I asked my surgeon at my 6 week check up was 'can I lift weights'? Not literally but I do a lot of gardening & am always lifting heavy objects, plants & pots. His reply was 'fine, not a problem but nothing too heavy until 12 weeks'.

    Have a great holiday x

    • don25191
      don25191 Fernlady

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply--my proposed holiday would be after 12 weeks but only just. I'm starting to question the idea of going so soon after the op.

      Don

  • Polly2016
    Polly2016 don25191

    Posted

    I definitely would not risk it. It is not worth it. Just recovering 4 weeks post op. First one done in 2014. Don't do and won't do heavy lifting, and it has paid off.

    Wouldn't want to go through this again. Plus the fact I don't like going on holiday :o)

    • don25191
      don25191 Polly2016

      Posted

      Thanks Polly--I think you're probably right. Maybe it is too soon but I'll see what the surgeon says at my 6 weeks check-up.

      Don

  • janet02105
    janet02105 don25191

    Posted

    Hi Don,

    So good to hear about your healing progress and your upcoming travel. Definitely ask doctor or physical therapist professional before doing the lifting. I think hipsters get in trouble when we do some things too soon and having a set back could be painful and frustrating. If you're not ready, I would use rolling suitcases and pay taxi drivers and curbside valets to do the lifting. Good luck to you and your wife.

    • don25191
      don25191 janet02105

      Posted

      Thanks Janet. The more I read about the difficulties of long haul travel so early after my op the more I'm realising I should maybe wait a bit longer.

      Don

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